Sparks fly over McHenry County Administrator Peter Austin's contract

WOODSTOCK – Approval of an extended contract for county Administrator Peter Austin caused some turmoil Tuesday night on the McHenry County Board.

Members ultimately approved the contract on a 13-8 vote, after about 30 minutes that included opponents calling the entire process sneaky and politically motivated, and supporters calling the board dysfunctional and conspiratorially minded.

The four-and-a-half-year deal that took effect with the vote grants Austin $180,000 a year, about as much has he made in his most recent contract, with annual consideration of increases based on board review.

It is an at-will contract that allows the County Board to terminate him with a majority vote, but clarifies an ambiguity under his previous contracts that, according to a state’s attorney legal opinion, would have allowed the County Board during the 30-day review period to fire him without severance.

The new contract, which expires in May 2021, reflects a departure from past practice, in which Austin’s contract from his 2005 hiring was automatically renewed every May, with his annual evaluation to follow in the summer.

Opponents such as Diane Evertsen, R-Harvard, had problems with the five-year duration, the county paying Austin's share of his contribution to the Illinois Municipal Retirement System, and no limit on accrued leave. The county paid Austin's share of IMRF under his previous contract.

“I’m sorry. This is absolutely unconscionable. I’m done,” Evertsen said.

Others, like board Vice Chairwoman Yvonne Barnes, R-Cary, said the contract was not honestly moved through the board because it did not go before the Human Resources Committee. Austin's contract and performance reviews fall under the purview of the Management Services Committee under board rules.

Barnes did not mince words, calling the contract “unconscionable” and that she could not decide whether she was extremely sad or extremely sick that the matter was on the agenda.

“There are no words for me to state in public what I feel about how this came to us and what’s included in it,” Barnes said.

Supporters defended the contract and Austin’s work, and had some strong words of their own.

Member Tina Hill, R-Woodstock, said she was disturbed by what she called “personal agendas and politics” in opposing the contract. Hill, who served two years as County Board chairwoman, heads the Management Services Committee.

“We are hiring a professional administrator that is nonpolitical. I can’t stress this enough that this should be done now, it should be five years, and we should be showing [Austin] that we respect and admire what he has given to this County Board with the package that we have put together here,” Hill said.

The strongest admonishment came from member Carolyn Schofield, R-Crystal Lake, who said she was disgusted with what she called jaded and unprofessional conduct by board members who are delving into conspiracy theory.

Schofield, who is the county’s representative on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, said Austin’s abilities and knowledge are respected by regional and state planners, which was more than she could say for her fellow members.

“It is this board that is dysfunctional right now. Please do not filter it down to the staff, because they are the only thing that is respected in this region right now,” Schofield said.

An attempt by member Chuck Wheeler, R-McHenry, to delay the new contract until next year, after the new County Board is seated following the Nov. 8 election, failed by a voice vote. Supporters said the new board that will be living with the contract should have the final say, while opponents said that new members with only a few months of experience will have no basis by which to evaluate Austin and his abilities.

The new board that will be seated in December will have at least seven new faces, or just less than one-third of its 24 members.

What it means

The McHenry County Board voted Tuesday evening, 13-8, to approve a five-year contract for County Administrator Peter Austin.

Voting yes were Larry Smith, R-Harvard, Michael Walkup, R-Crystal Lake, Michele Aavang, R-Woodstock, Chris Christensen, R-Cary, Sue Draffkorn, R-Wonder Lake, James Heisler, R-Crystal Lake, Tina Hill, R-Woodstock, John Jung, R-Woodstock, Robert Martens Sr., R-Spring Grove, Carolyn Schofield, R-Crystal Lake, Mike Skala, R-Huntley, and Chairman Joe Gottemoller, R-Crystal Lake.

Voting no were Jeff Thorsen, R-Crystal Lake, Chuck Wheeler, R-McHenry, Yvonne Barnes, R-Cary, Diane Evertsen, R-Harvard, Andrew Gasser, R-Fox River Grove, Mary McCann, R-Woodstock, Michael Rein, R-Woodstock, and John Hammerand, R-Wonder Lake.

Members Don Kopsell, R-Crystal Lake, Donna Kurtz, R-Crystal Lake, and Anna May Miller, R-Cary, were absent.