Elgin cuts 19 workers, eliminates 29 positions

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Elgin Public Works Director Dave Lawry speaks in July 2011 after a tour of street conditions in the Century Oaks East area. Lawry's was one of 13 full-time and six part-time city jobs eliminated Friday in a cost-cutting move. | File~Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 29, 2012 2:37AM

ELGIN — The city cut 13 full-time and six part-time positions Friday in a cost-cutting move.

Among those whose jobs were cut were Senior Recreation Supervisor Deb Barr, Deputy Police Chief Bob Beeter, Public Services Director David Lawry, Public Safety Communications Official Sue Olafson and Community Restitution Work Coordinator Ed Swierbinski.

With spots already open and not to be filled in the mix, overall 22 full-time and seven part-time positions have been eliminated, City Manager Sean Stegall said. The moves will save the city about $1.8 million, according to Stegall, who added that further reorganization will take place.

“It’s a sad day anytime you have to let people go, and I am especially thankful to the three employees who elected to take a voluntary buyout in order to manage the amount of loss,” Stegall said.

Taking those buyouts are longtime employees Barr, Lawry and Beeter.

Beeter has been the subject of controversy involving his personal life.

In July 2010, he and another officer each received 30-day suspensions without pay — the harshest disciplinary punishment short of termination — for failing to disclose they were engaged in an extra-marital affair in 2009 with one another while the other officer’s husband also worked for the department, according to the city.

Barr started with the city in the mid-1990s. Early in her time working for Elgin, she was softball coordinator.

Lawry began with the city in 1989 and was named to his current post in 1998. The public works, engineering, parks, water and building maintenance divisions reported to Lawry.

Olafson had been the communications and marketing superintendent for the Hoffman Estates Park District for seven years before being hired by Elgin in 2005. Her public safety information duties will be handled by Lt. Glenn Theriault, Stegall said.

Olafson had been the public information officer for the entire city but was moved to handle police and fire communications in late 2010. At that time, the city hired a consulting firm to search for a communications director. More than 200 people applied for the post, which had been listed as paying $100,000. In light of the recession, however, Stegall decided not to have that spot on the city’s staff.

Added work

In most cases, the work of those released will be handled by existing staff. That those responsibilities could be spread out or given to others played a role in deciding which positions to cut, Stegall said.

As example, Dana Denye, currently listed on the city’s website as manager of the purchasing department, will maintain those duties and is being promoted to assume the responsibilities that had been held by former budgeting and purchasing officer RuthAnne Hall, who resigned that post in November to become purchasing manager for Lake County.

Still, some empty positions will be filled, including the historical preservationist spot vacated when Jennifer Fritz-Williams stepped down from the post in September.

Another currently open position is that of Assistant Fire Chief William “Mike” Baker, whose last day was Friday. Baker served with the Elgin Fire Department for 26 year and is taking a role as deputy fire chief with the Streamwood Fire Department.

In the police department, Stegall said a patrol officer position currently open won’t be filled. Another officer is expected to resign this year, and that spot won’t be filled either, Stegall said.