CFO Marty Lyons Leaving Evanston For Aurora

EVANSTON, IL — After Evanston closes this year's multi-million dollar budget hole, it’ll need to find a new top financial officer. Martin “Marty” Lyons will depart as assistant city manager and chief financial officer in January to take a similar position in the western suburbs.

"Evanston has been the best place I've ever worked and the hardest place I've ever worked," Lyons told Patch.

"We've done some great things here and it is with mixed emotions that I make this change," he said. "But Aurora is great opportunity and I look forward to continuing my public service with the City of Aurora."

Aurora city staff recommended hiring Lyons for the position after receiving 29 applications and interviewing five finalists. The job opened up in March, when Brian Caputo resigned from the position.

The Aurora City Council voted to confirm Lyons’ appointment as its chief financial officer and city treasurer Tuesday, Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced in a Wednesday morning letter to staff.

Lyons’ “background and working knowledge of economic development, public works and employee benefits makes him uniquely qualified to understanding and supporting city initiatives,” according to the staff recommendation.

Lyons, who lives in Downers Grove – where he previously worked as finance director — will find himself with a much shorter commute Jan. 8, when he begins work at his new position in Aurora. His final day will be Jan. 5, Lyons said.

"For the last nine and a half years, Marty has served Evanston with great distinction as our Assistant City Manager, CFO and Treasurer. His stewardship of the City's finances has been exceptional. " Bobkiewicz wrote. "Marty is an outstanding local government manager and a valued colleague and friend."

Lyons has been in the position since August 2008. At times, has filed in as interim director of community development and public works. He has also been the project lead on the Robert Crown Center project.

With a total compensation package of more than $226,000, Lyons leaves as Evanston’s second-highest paid employee while the city ponders layoffs and tax increases to avoid a budget deficit next year. He said his departure would not affect the budget process.

"I will be here to complete the 2018 budget and 2017 tax levy," Lyons confirmed.

Aurora is the second largest city in the state with a population of more than 200,000 and a 2017 budget with nearly $420 million in expenditures. Evanston, in comparison, has a population of close to 75,000 and a budget of less than $339 million this year.

_{Top photo via City of Evanston | YouTube}