Lake Zurich board approves new contract for village manager
The Lake Zurich board of trustees approved a new contract for longtime Village Manager Ray Keller and approved a new village finance director at the May 5 meeting.
Rita Kruse was approved by the village trustees to replace finance director Amy Sparkowski and, in a separate vote, the board approved another four-year contract for Keller.
“Due to the relocation out of the area of our highly respected finance manager Amy Sparkowski, we found ourselves in need of a new finance director,” said Mayor Tom Poynton. “We found one whom we think will continue the tradition of carrying on the high-quality work of the last three finance directors we’ve had.”
Poynton said Kruse brings with her 20 years of experience in municipal finance as well as a master’s degree and a CPA certification. She was approved unanimously by the board.
Keller, meanwhile, is a familiar face around the village, having been village manager of Lake Zurich since 2016. His contracts run about the same length as the mayor’s service and his new contract will be up for renewal in April 2029.
According to the board agenda packet, the trustees had already agreed to offer Keller another contract and negotiated the terms with him. Keller’s contract puts his annual salary at $242,112 with 25 vacation days a year, four personal days and then 12 sick days. He also gets $100 per pay period paid into a 401a retirement account and “$5,000 per year as a vehicle allowance to be used to purchase, lease, or own, operate, and maintain a personal vehicle.”
Keller also gets $200 per month for a cell phone or other technology.
The contract further stipulates that Keller will face an annual performance review by July 1.
Board Trustee William Reilly praised Keller’s leadership.
“Ray brings a caliber of leadership to Lake Zurich that is truly top tier and on par with the best municipal executives in the region,” the trustee said. “His capabilities would be highly sought after in any market. We are very fortunate to have someone of his exceptional competence and his integrity guiding our village.”
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
