East Dundee trustees next week are expected to approve a contract with the village administrator and accept the resignation of the assistant village administrator.
Both items were on the agenda for approval at Monday’s Village Board meeting, but trustees instead called a closed door meeting to discuss the two items and ultimately did not act on either.
Following the meeting, trustees indicated both would be on the agenda for action at the July 19 meeting.
Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen and Assistant Village Administrator Brad MItchell both declined comment following the closed door meeting. Village President Jeff Lynam also declined comment, noting that both involved personnel matters.
Johnsen and Mitchell have been at the center of a controversy that surfaced when Johnsen confirmed she and Mitchell were in a romantic relationship. An email suggesting the relationship circulated before the April elections and Johnsen confirmed the relationship in an email to trustees in May.
Lynam cited the relationship as one of the reasons he terminated Johnsen in June. However, two weeks after Lynam’s action, trustees overturned his decision and reinstated Johnsen.
Johnsen’s proposed contract, which was included in the board packet for Monday’s meeting, indicates she would earn an annual salary of $158,445 and a monthly car stipend of $500.
The contract also stipulates that she would be an “at-will” employee and could be removed at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. However, if she was terminated without cause, she would receive a six-month severance package, the proposed contract said.
The deal also includes a one-time lump-sum payment equal to two weeks’ pay once Johnsen’s contract is signed. The proposed contract, which is renewable on an annual basis, also allows for a 3% salary increase each year.
“Right now, in principal there’s an agreement amongst all parties,” Trustee Scott Kunze said after Monday’s meeting.
Mitchell’s agreement was referenced on the agenda but not included in Monday’s board packet. Trustees said Mitchell does not have a contract with the village, but a separation agreement was being finalized.
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After being reinstated in June, Johnsen said that while she and Mitchell work well together, the couple had planned for one to find employment elsewhere. She added that Mitchell understood that it made sense for her to continue in her role as village administrator and for him to seek another job.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.