Committee reviews proposed 2027 organizational chart, including grant writer, arborist and internal assessor coordination

Joel presented the village's annual plan of administration and an organizational chart intended to surface likely position requests for next year's budget. He emphasized that the chart is a working document and that proposed positions are not funded and will be finalized with the budget in November: "Whether or not those positions are gonna be funded, that's gonna be predicated on how well the budget process goes and whether or not the village board ultimately determines that priority."

Specific proposals discussed include assigning 0.5 FTE of the paralegal administrative analyst under the village manager and 0.5 FTE to the village attorney's office; reducing a deputy clerk position to 0.5 FTE (the seat has been vacant since 12/31/2025); exploring an in‑house fire inspector to replace contracted inspection services; recruiting a public works superintendent and a facility maintenance manager; and adding an arborist to support the forester. On finance and administrative services, Joel proposed splitting functions so the finance director focuses on budget/CIP/fund management and suggested hiring a grant writer to pursue state/federal and foundation grants and fundraising for capital needs. A committee member asked whether AI could reduce staffing needs; Joel said AI use is being explored but no formal plan exists. The committee voted to recommend the amended organizational structure to the village board.