Oswego Finance Director To Retire After 31-Year Career

OSWEGO, IL — After 31 years in the public sector and 12 with the Village of Oswego, Finance Director Mark Horton is set to retire June 10, officials announced.

Horton's final day will be June 10. Once retired, he plans to spend more time with his wife and two daughters and continue to officiate high school and college basketball games, according to a news release.

To celebrate the finance director, village staff will be hosting a public reception from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill Place.

An Oswego native and Oswego High School alum, Horton started his career at a financial firm that audits public bodies before he moved on to work for the City of Wheaton for more than 11 years and finally the Village of Oswego. His bachelor's degree in accounting is from Arizona State University.

In the Kendall County village, Horton managed Oswego's finances and served as village treasurer, police pension fund treasurer and police pension fund trustee. Officials said during his tenure, he was able to stabilize and improve finances "through conservative and creative budgeting practices."

"Mark has worked tirelessly to manage Oswego’s tax dollars wisely, making the most of revenues and holding the line on expenditures," Village President Troy Parlier said in a statement. "Mark has been indispensable to me and the community. He has provided valued input on every major decision we have made."

During COVID-19, Horton "used his excellent forecasting and budgeting skills to ensure the Village was able to maintain the same level of services to the community despite economic uncertainty," officials said.

"Over the years, it's been extremely rewarding to work with Oswego’s dedicated and talented staff members, as well as the village president and board members," Horton said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to use my skills, creativity and sense of humor to leave Oswego's finances better than I found them."

During his career spanning three decades, Horton received numerous accolades, including winning a Triple Crown Medallion and a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting, both from the Government Finance Officers Association. He also received the Distinguished Budget Presentation award for more than 10 consecutive years.