Last month, the fire chief of Elk Grove Village announced his retirement, effective July 1st. The role has since been temporarily filled by Bill Balling, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in municipal management. Balling spent 29 years as the village manager for Buffalo Grove before transitioning into a comparable position at the Lombard Fire Department. In his current capacity, Balling is responsible for overseeing the department's administrative tasks while also serving as a consultant to evaluate various aspects of the department. For these services, he charges an hourly rate of $168.
The Daily Herald reported on this development last week, noting that Balling, who resides in Arlington Heights, won’t receive any benefits or contribute to a pension. His appointment is open-ended, and at his hourly rate, he could earn up to $6,720 per week or $26,880 monthly for a standard 40-hour workweek. Following former Elk Grove Fire Chief Dave Miller's retirement last Friday, Deputy Chief Scott Miller has continued to manage the department’s day-to-day operations, including fire suppression efforts.
Interestingly, Balling already enjoys an annual pension of $129,462 from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Since Elk Grove Fire Department staff contributes to a separate fire pension system, Balling’s new role won’t impact his existing IMRF pension.
This week, Elk Grove Village offered more clarity regarding Balling’s responsibilities, addressing concerns about the compensation involved. Village authorities explained that the $168 hourly rate isn't just for Balling himself but covers the services of his management consultancy firm, WRB LLC. According to Balling, his duties involve not only supervising and managing the fire department's operations but also conducting a comprehensive operational assessment of its practices.
“It’s quite a dynamic role,†Balling stated, emphasizing the scope of his interim responsibilities. “Involving myself and a team of between four to five professionals—experts in both management and firefighting—we’ll be dedicating significant hours to this project. The village is safeguarded within this fee structure.â€
For those interested in reading the full story, the Daily Herald’s follow-up article is available HERE, along with a related piece in Fire Chief Magazine.
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As someone following local developments, I find it intriguing how these roles evolve. It seems like Elk Grove Village is taking a strategic approach by bringing in Balling’s expertise, even if it comes at a higher price point. His background suggests he brings valuable insights, but transparency around costs and deliverables will be key moving forward. It’ll be interesting to see how this arrangement unfolds and what long-term impacts it might have on the department.
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