An appropriation recently granted by the Highland Town Council for Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro’s retirement is only that — an appropriation — for now.
The council at its May 22 meeting voted 4-1, with Councilman Mark Herak, I-2, dissenting, voted to appropriate $64,785 out of the Redevelopment Department’s general fund to cover a one-time payment of Petro’s unused vacation, sick and comp time. Petro is retiring June 9 and had put in paperwork for that amount, according to Herak.
While Petro is entitled to some of that money, members of the council, who’re now also acting as the Redevelopment Commission, will meet in a closed session with Petro and Town Attorney Rhett Tauber Monday to determine just what the final amount will be, Town Council President Dan Vassar, D-3, said. Nothing, however, has been awarded yet, Vassar said.
“Over the history of (Petro’s time as Redevelopment director), was this time approved? We weren’t the commission at the time,” Vassar said. “We need to see the proper documentation, and all we did was make the money available in case she is entitled to all of it.
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“None of this is sinister, and (whatever payment amount to which Petro is entitled) is certainly not going to be for the next 12 years (as has been spread over social media).”
For his part, Herak opposed the appropriation because aside from Police Chief Pete Hojnicki, who applies for and gets his comp time in the year in which it was earned, no other department head has taken comp time as payment at the end of their tenure.
Additionally, Herak said that while an argument can be made to provide additional wages for special events that require a full day’s work, the department heads generally just adjusts their schedules to allow for evening meetings.
“Cecile said her comp time (roughly $50,000) was from the first day she started some 12 years ago and unused vacation of $13,000. She is a department head, and to accumulate 12 years’ worth is absurd,” Herak said in an email. “Besides (Hojnicki), I know of no department head who puts in comp time.
“Think of all the meetings, (Public Works Director) John Bach or (Park Superintendent) Alex Brown have attended. Think of (Building Inspector) Ken Mika and the plan commission meetings and BZA hearings he attends. They don’t put in comp time; they view it as their everyday job.”
The council will vote on the Petro’s final severance amount at its June 19 meeting, Vassar said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.