Townsend Resigns as St. Charles Administrator

St. Charles City Administrator Brian Townsend will end his eight-year tenure with the city on Aug. 30, when he moves into the village manager position in Schaumburg.

The city issued a release announcing Townsend’s resignation during the noon hour Friday.

Townsend, who has more than 20 years of experience in local government management, had served as assistant village manager in Schaumburg before coming to St. Charles.

“St. Charles has been a wonderful community to work for,” Townsend said in the city’s release. “I have enjoyed projects that have been both challenging and rewarding. I appreciate the opportunity to work with former Mayor Don DeWitte, Mayor Ray Rogina, the members of the City Council, and city staff to enhance the reputation of St. Charles as a community that is admired and an organization that is respected.”

“He accomplished much during his eight years in St. Charles,” said Mayor Raymond P. Rogina.  “Schaumburg is acquiring a fine leader. I wish him nothing but the best; he deserves it.”

Townsend was not available for comment on Friday afternoon.

Later Friday afternoon in a phone call with Patch, Rogina said it will be difficult finding a replacement for Townsend, but not impossible.

“Nobody’s irreplaceable,” he said. “Is (Townsend) a good, solid leader? Absolutely. Has he made a lot of contributions over the past eight years? Absolutely

“I’m not so worried about finding a replacement,” he continued. “But at the same time, we are going to miss him. … I wish him all the best in the world, and he deserves it”

Townsend’s resignation comes as the City Council and he have been negotiating a new contract. Early this month, the council extended Townsend’s contract by 30 days for a third time since it expired May 6, when former Rogina was sworn in as the city’s new mayor and a new City Council was seated following the elections in April.

A release issued by the city credits Townsend with having a key role in St. Charles’ success on a number of fronts, such as:

• Improved communication both within city government and the community.

• Increased resident satisfaction with city services.

But Townsend also was responsible for leading the city through the Great Recession, which began in late 2007 and whose effects still are felt today. The burst of the housing bubble contributed to what became a global recession, which was marked by increased bankruptcies, foreclosures and rapid declines in property values. That had a profound impact on many cities across the nation as property tax revenues likewise declined.

Townsend faced the crisis, according to the release, “by planning, organizing and executing the inclusive, broad-based St. Charles Sustainability Initiative,” to find “feasible and sustainable financial solutions” that for five years in a row ensured that the city’s total property tax revenue for city operations did not increased.

Capital Projects Complete

During Townsend’s tenure, the city completed:

• A new fire department headquarters in the downtown St. Charles.

• Remodeled and expanded its public works facility.

• Established a new water treatment facility.

• Completed a new wastewater treatment facility.

• Upgraded the electric system to enhance reliability.

Also during Townsend’s tenure, the city completed Phase 1 and 2 of the First Street downtown redevelopment project and the opening of the Costco Wholesale store.

“I have dedicated countless hours in service to the city of St. Charles and am proud to have been a member of the city organization that achieved so many successes,” Townend said in the release. “I have enjoyed my time with the city, but have decided that it is time to move on to the next professional opportunity. While projects are important, it is the relationships that I will treasure most. St. Charles has an excellent staff. They are the lifeblood of the organization and have made my employment with the city a gratifying experience.”

According to the release, Townsend earned Master of Public Administration and bachelor of science in political science from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  He also has achieved the International City/County Management (ICMA) Credentialed Manager designation.

A member of the Illinois City/County Managers Association and the International City/County Management Association, Townsend has served in various roles for regional organizations including the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference and the MetroWest Council of Governments.

Townsend is married to Patti and the couple has three children.  They reside in St. Charles.

Related

• Friday: July 19, 2013: Rogina: St. Charles Administrator Search Starts Immediately

• July 2, 2013: St. Charles Contract Talks With Townsend Enter 3rd Month

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