City council members are concerned with Mark Biernacki’s proposed salary as DeKalb’s city manager.

Biernacki, who is up for final approval next week, could make up to $10,439 more than previous manager Jim Connors.

When Bill Nicklas, current Sycamore city manager, left his position in 1997, he was making $71,528 and Connors came in making $83,500.

“How is that outrageous, when we did the same thing six years ago?” Sparrow said.

Third Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan said when advertising for the position, a salary range also was included. Biernacki’s salary would be $10,000 more than what was advertised.

“If we’re going to pay that much, it would have made more sense to advertise [at that price],” Kapitan said. “It would have been more of an opportunity to attract candidates with experience.”

Biernacki worked in the economic development department in DeKalb for 10 years before accepting a position in Elgin. Former DeKalb mayor Bessie Chronopoulos said they had worked on various projects together and that he was helpful.

“My contention is that he’s not really city manager material,” she said. “He hasn’t had any experience. [He has] no degree in management.”

Sparrow said Connors, and several city managers before him, also didn’t have extensive city manager experience. They were selected because of their experience in city administration.

“To say [Biernacki] has no experience is wrong,” Sparrow said.

According to Biernacki’s contract, if he is terminated on or before July 1, 2006, he will get paid a lump sum equal to 12 months of his annual base salary and 12 months of premiums for comprehensive major medical, dental and life insurance. If terminated before that date, his severance pay will equal six months’ pay.

Chronopoulos said a city manager’s job is based on his performance, not politics.

“If he does his job, he will not be ousted by the council,” she said.

“I think that entire pay package, salary, severance and benefits, is far more than we should be offering someone who has never been city manager,” Kapitan said.

Kapitan worked in the city at the time when Biernacki was in the economic development department.

“I don’t have confidence that he would be someone I want to hire for city manager,” Kapitan said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Patrick Conboy said problems are not really an issue of salary, but of what’s in the best interest of the city.

“He won’t be independent; he’s tied with the mayor,” Conboy said.

Sparrow said by state law, the city manager is thought of as the CEO and head of all the departments in the city. Though the city manager is supposed to provide unbiased information and be apolitical, there is a political process to go through since it’s the elected officials in charge of approving the candidate.

Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker said he felt Biernacki was qualified for the city manager position.

“A number of positions have opened up because of the early retirement incentive,” Baker said. “He will have to shoulder the burden and responsibility of those positions.”

Chronopoulos said it was a bad idea for Biernacki to come here if his approval comes with a split decision. His first reading was approved with a 5-3 vote.

Sparrow said a similar situation happened when Connors’ reading came up.

“It became unanimous for the sake of unity,” Sparrow said. “Internally, it was a lot closer.”

Biernacki said he’s hopeful confidence in him will rise once he has taken on the position.

A city manager usually is in the position for six to eight years, Sparrow said.