Contract Details: Brad Staab Named Joliet Park District Director

JOLIET, IL —As predicted months ago, Brad Staab was named as the new permanent executive director of Joliet's Park District during Monday's special meeting of the Joliet Park Board. Since May, Staab held the role in an acting capacity after the park board approved a buyout totaling $82,137 for Staab's boss, Tom Carstens.

Following Monday morning's special meeting, Joliet Patch obtained a copy of Staab's new employment contract. The document reveals Staab will make a $150,000 salary, plus he will get another $600 every month as a vehicle allowance, which is $7,200 annually.

That means Staab will make at least $157,200 in total compensation overseeing all aspects of the Joliet Park District's operations and budget. Staab told Patch that his previous position of deputy director is not being filled in an effort to save the Joliet Park District money.

In April, the voters of Joliet rejected a 58-percent tax rate increase proposed by the Joliet Park Board in hopes of generating several million dollars in additional park district revenue. Since then, Staab and the park board have been working together to reduce spending.

Here are the key highlights of Brad Staab's new contract:

Base Compensation: "Commencing on the effective date, the base annual salary for all services rendered shall be $150,000.00. The Board reserves the right to provide merit increases or other adjustments based upon DIRECTOR's job performance and the District's financial condition, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board."

Vehicle Allowance: "DIRECTOR shall have a vehicle allowance of six hundred dollars ($600.00) per month in lieu of any other expense reimbursement related to DIRECTOR's use of his personal vehicle for District business, and in lieu of providing DIRECTOR with an automobile provided to him by the District."

Use of Facilities and Programs: "While employed under this agreement DIRECTOR, his spouse and children shall be permitted to use and participate in Joliet Park District facilities, programs and services at no cost to DIRECTOR, subject to and in accordance with all other District policies."

Vacation: "DIRECTOR shall be entitled to 25 days of paid vacation per year in accordance with the Districts' personnel policies, as amended from time to time. Carry-over of vacation time shall be limited to a total of 60 days. Vacation time earned but not taken which is in excess of the 60-day carry over limitation shall not be allowed to carry over and, at the end of the year in which said excess vacation days were earned, shall be lost."

Sick time: "DIRECTOR shall be entitled to 12 sick days per year in accordance with the District's personnel policies, as amended from time to time. Carry-over of sick time shall be in accordance with the District's personnel policies as amended from time to time. Sick days may be used for personal illness or medical or dental appointments or for similar uses to care for DIRECTOR's spouse and children. Upon termination of employment for any reason, DIRECTOR shall not be paid for any of his accrued sick time."

Medical insurance: "The Park District shall provide DIRECTOR with group health, disability, and other health related benefits to the same extent as is provided under the Park District's plan or plans for its general work force. The District will provide life insurance policy of $100,000.00."

Pension: "The District agrees to make the Employer contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund on behalf of DIRECTOR."

Contract length: "Director's duties will start on the Effective Date and shall continue until December 31, 2019, after which, absent action by the District to terminate this Agreement, it shall automatically be extended until December 31, 2022, unless further extended or terminated in accordance with this Agreement."

Brad Staab's bio: According to the district, Staab has served as deputy director since 2016. He grew up in Joliet and attended Providence Catholic High School. He graduated from University of St. Francis with a bachelor's in mass communication. Since the Taste of Joliet was revived in 2006, Staab booked the entertainment for the summer festival. He also helped secure the naming rights deal with ATI Physical Therapy at Joliet's Memorial Stadium and the Inwood Athletic Club.

Recent Patch articles about the Joliet Park District's financial woes:

Joliet Park Director's Buyout: Here's Why It's So Expensive

Joliet Park District Official Gets $98,699 Payout

Splash Station Will Be Closed For 2019, Park District Confirms