Confused About La Grange Finance Department?

LA GRANGE, IL – You're not alone if you're confused about who is handling the village of La Grange's finances.

Until Wednesday, Suzy Mika was listed as the finance director on La Grange's website. That was about six months after she left the village following two years of service.

After Patch asked the village about the website, Mika's name was removed. Her name was replaced with Annmarie Mampe, who is listed as the contract finance director.

Mampe, who works for MGT Impact Solutions, holds a similar role in Burr Ridge, where the job is permanent.

The confusion about La Grange's finance department doesn't end there. At regular Village Board meetings, officials have not indicated what is going on with the finance director's position. It is not being advertised currently.

After Mika left in May, the board agreed to hire MGT Impact Solutions to provide a "temporary staffing solution." The agreement was to last "approximately" four months, paying up to $48,025, according to a village memo.

The agreement gave the parties the option to extend the arrangement.

Meanwhile, the accounting manager position went vacant in August. A new person starts Monday.

In an email to Patch on Wednesday, Village Manager Jack Knight said the village still sees the arrangement as a temporary solution. The village, he said, has not arrived at a permanent structure for supporting the department.

The money authorized for the staffing firm was not spent down as quickly as projected, allowing for the extension beyond October, Knight said.

The board is expected to consider an extension in December for the finance director's position.

"The hiring of a Finance Director continues to be evaluated as several improvements to departmental processes are implemented," Knight said. "The Village is fortunate to have assistance from MGT consultants in not only implementing these improvements, but managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the department."