Bloomington committee backs part‑time deputy clerk/treasurer and flags DNR certification gap for operators

The Village of Bloomington Finance and Purchase Committee on Jan. 19 recommended that the full board consider creating a part‑time deputy clerk/treasurer position, estimated at 15–20 hours per week, to ensure continuity for elections and daily office operations.

Clerk/Treasurer Shawna Atterbury proposed the role, saying a formally appointed deputy could be sworn in and legally act on the clerk/treasurer’s behalf when necessary. She told the committee the deputy would handle duties such as answering phones, responding to emails, assisting residents, filing, data entry, utility billing, preparing materials, maintaining records, assisting with licensing and permits, processing payments and managing office functions during the clerk/treasurer’s absence. Atterbury said a formal backup is especially important for elections and cited problems that arose during a prior leave that required corrections on her return.

The committee reviewed cost estimates for the position: at $15 per hour, a 20‑hour weekly position would cost about $15,600 annually and a 30‑hour position about $23,400; members noted that keeping the position under 32 hours per week was estimated to avoid benefit requirements. The committee also discussed the deputy providing roughly four hours per week of filing and organizational support for the public works office as an efficiency measure.

Committee member Keith Leitzinger raised a separate staffing concern in public works, saying another operator had refused to obtain required DNR (Department of Natural Resources) certification, which creates a compliance vulnerability if certified staff are unavailable. Leitzinger noted that DNR rules restrict which staff may input data into state systems and that many municipalities maintain at least two certified operators to cover water and sewer responsibilities and reduce the risk of fines or disruptions.

As a result of the discussion, the committee agreed to recommend to the full board that it create a part‑time deputy clerk/treasurer at 15–20 hours per week and to consult the village attorney about certification requirements for the Director of Public Works assistant before taking further action. The recommendation is advisory to the full board; no full‑board vote was recorded at this meeting.

Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included roll call, certification that open‑meeting requirements had been met and unanimous approval of the agenda. Dawn Drew moved to approve the agenda and Shawna Atterbury seconded; the committee adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Village of Bloomington full board for consideration, and the village attorney will be consulted about certification and potential compliance remedies.