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FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:

Proposed 2027 Budget – Staffing Additions

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5E

COMMITTEE DATE: November 2, 2026

COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: N/A


STAFF REVIEW: Tia Messino, Deputy City Administrator

SIGNATURE__________________________


ITEM SUMMARY:
The proposed 2027 Budget includes funding for six staffing additions: four part-time and two full-time. These
investments are intended to address increasing operational demands, improve service delivery, provide additional
support to elected officials, and expand the City's capacity to advance organizational and community priorities.
The three proposed part-time City positions are anticipated to work fewer than 1,000 hours annually, subject to
applicable IMRF eligibility requirements. The social worker would operate through a separate shared-services
arrangement established by an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Warrenville and Winfield.
The following provides a brief overview of the proposed staffing additions and their intended functions.
Proposed Part-Time Positions
Part-Time Social Worker – $30,000
Funding to expand access to social work services through a shared-services arrangement with Warrenville and
Winfield. This would provide additional professional support for individuals and families experiencing crises or other
circumstances requiring social service intervention, while allowing the City to share the cost of specialized services.
Part-Time Police Records Clerk – $25,000
The position would primarily address the increasing volume and complexity of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
requests received by the Police Department. These requests require significant staff time to locate, review, redact,
and prepare responsive records within statutory deadlines. The position would provide additional capacity to
manage these responsibilities, reduce the risk of missed deadlines and potential litigation, and support other
records-related administrative functions.
Part-Time Administrative Assistant – Administration and Business & Community Relations – $25,000
Provides shared administrative support to the Administration and Business & Community Relations (BCR)
Departments. Responsibilities would include processing invoices and requisitions, assisting with agenda packet
preparation and copying, scheduling, document preparation, records management, and general administrative
coordination. The position would help manage routine administrative workloads and allow existing staff to devote
more time to specialized responsibilities and departmental priorities. This position would report to Administration
and BCR.
Part-Time Administrative Aide to the Mayor and City Council – $25,000
Provides administrative support to the Mayor and City Council, including scheduling, correspondence, constituent
coordination, research, and assistance with City-sponsored aldermanic engagement initiatives. The position would
also help coordinate community outreach, maintain volunteer and community partner information, and support early
preparations for the 2030 Census. Working under the direction of City Administration, the position would provide

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consistent and equitable support to elected officials across all seven wards while improving accessibility and
engagement with residents. This position’s duties would be coordinated through Administration.
Summer Internship Pilot Program – $5,000
The proposed budget also includes $5,000 to support a pilot summer internship program for up to two interns. The
program would introduce students and young adults to careers in local government, provide professional
development opportunities, and strengthen connections between the City and the community's youth. Interns would
assist with designated summer projects, including special events, community engagement, and other municipal
initiatives, while gaining practical experience in public service. The pilot would allow the City to evaluate the
program's benefits and administrative capacity before considering future expansion. These positions would report
to Administration.

Proposed Full-Time Positions
Management Analyst – Administration – $85,000 Salary
Provides analytical, administrative, and project management support within the Administration Department, with an
emphasis on strengthening Human Resources operations and coordinating cross-departmental initiatives. The
position would help modernize HR operations and strengthen alignment with current best practices, including
modernizing employee communications and document management, reviewing and updating personnel policies,
and renewing efforts related to employee wellness, engagement, and internal communications. The position would
also support special projects, organizational process improvements, and the City's preparations for the 2030
Census.
Assistant Director of Business & Community Relations – $130,000 Salary
Provides additional management and professional capacity within the BCR Department, with a primary focus on
communications, public information, community engagement, and departmental oversight. The position would
support higher-level communications and writing, coordinate engagement across major City initiatives, and assist
with staff and project management. This additional capacity would allow the BCR Director to devote greater
attention to economic development, business attraction and retention, downtown revitalization, redevelopment
opportunities, and other strategic initiatives.

Budget and Implementation Considerations
The proposed staffing additions represent targeted investments in organizational capacity, combining limited-hour
part-time positions with two full-time positions intended to address broader management, analytical, and
professional service needs.
The four part-time staffing allocations total $105,000, while the proposed annual salaries for the two full-time
positions total $215,000. Including the $5,000 summer internship pilot, these initiatives represent $325,000 in
proposed allocations and base salaries. Applicable employer benefit, payroll tax, and retirement costs are
incorporated separately into the draft budget.
These additions are included in the draft 2027 Budget for City Council review and discussion. Detailed job
descriptions will be presented to the Finance Committee for consideration and approval, as applicable, on
December 7, 2026
ACTIONS PROPOSED:

Review and discuss the six proposed staffing additions and summer internship pilot included in the draft 2027
Budget and provide direction regarding their inclusion in the final budget.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

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