Village Revamps Planning as Economy Improves

During the depths of the construction collapse, the village cut its entire economic development department, saving $225,000 by having other staffers handle those duties.

But with signs of life on the horizon, Mokena is looking for a way to handle the increased workload without bringing on any additional employees.

"By doing that, we get new businesses coming to town. It's good for the local economy. It creates jobs. It also creates revenues for us and for other taxing bodies that allows us to do a better job of delivering services back to our primary customers, the residents," Economic and Community Development Director Alan Zordan said.

In 2010, the village did about 350 commercial industrial inspections. That number's up to about 500 as things get better, Zordan said.

New Position, No New Employees

One change approved Monday night was creating the new position of building and planning specialist, filling it with Planning Technician Matt Ziska.

Ziska, a four-year employee of the village, will handle all field-related services like building codes and construction regulations. This will also allow Zordan to focus on pure economic development, luring businesses to town.

"The good news is there's a new horizon coming up and in 2011 we've actually seen as significant upturn in the local economy, specifically commercial and industrial construction has increased quite a bit in 2011," Zordan said. "We've got several projects going on throughout the community that most folks can see as they go about their business."

The lone vote against creating the new building and planning specialist position was from Trustee Don Labriola. Labriola praised Ziska, but disagreed with the 25-percent pay raise that comes with the position.

The new job reclassified Ziska to a grade 13 pay level, which brings a $50,380 paycheck. Ziska currently makes $40,264.

"I have no quarrel with rewarding someone that's doing a good job for us and to retain someone that does a good job for us," Labriola said. "I was not in agreement with the way we compensated this new position."

Labriola voted to put Ziska in the job once it was created.

Staff Cut in 2010

In 2009, the village had an economic development coordinator, a building inspector and a chief building inspector, all full-time positions.

With fewer businesses coming to town because of the economy, the village cut the building inspector and the economic development coordinator and moved the chief building inspector to a half-time position.

Later, the chief building inspector position was eliminated entirely.

Zordan said these cuts saved the village $225,000.

The village handled these jobs through existing staff, mostly Zordan, but with Mayor Joe Werner, Administrator John Downs and other staffers taking on larger roles as well.

Ziska and Zordan started assisting with field services like building inspections. Ziska became certified in building code administration after the half-time building inspector position was eliminated.