Village Manager Gets 3 More Years

Orland Park Village Manager Paul Grimes will remain head of the village's daily operations now that trustees have renewed his three-year contract.

Grimes' contract was discussed late Monday night behind closed doors and finalized by unanimous vote once trustees returned to open session. The extension is without a pay increase, though the village board could vote to change that.

"I couldn't think of a greater community to work for," Grimes said after Monday's vote, via telephone, noting that he looks forward to finishing and being a part of several "important projects." Among those are the and 143rd Street and La Grange Road intersection improvements.

"He's done a very good job," Mayor Dan McLaughlin said. "I've been here 26 years and I've worked through several village managers, and he is outstanding."

Grimes earns about $142,000 a year. McLaughlin said the village has held the terms of the original contract, given the economy, but will address a possible pay increase sometime before July, 2012.

The board had until late March to make a decision whether to renew Grimes' contract but chose to do so earlier than later, village attorney Kenneth Friker said.