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Richard Russo was appointed Washington’s new city attorney Dec. 19 by the City Council, taking the post held at different times by a father and son a combined 65 years.
Russo replaces Kenneth L. Black, who resigned Oct. 31 after holding the job since 1977. Black’s father, Kenneth W. Black, was city attorney from 1938 to 1977, except for a stretch from 1952 to 1960, when Mel Moehle held the job.
The City Council opted to retain the Peoria law firm of Davis & Campbell to handle the city’s legal matters for one year, and appointed Russo city attorney. He’ll be paid $185 per hour. Derek Schryer was appointed assistant city attorney. His fee is $165 per hour.
“I was very fortunate to work with wonderful elected officials and city staff through the years,” Kenneth L. Black said earlier on Dec. 19. “I’ll miss them.”
Kenneth L. Black, who turned 69 on Dec. 5, declined to give a reason for his resignation, but did note the job of city attorney had become more challenging during the past 15 years, including an increased workload, because of the city’s growth. Washington’s population increased nearly 40 percent from 2000 to 2010, to the now more than 15,000 residents.
Washington Mayor Gary Manier echoed Black’s comments following the meeting.
“Ken did a great job,” Manier said. “It seems strange not having him at the council table with us. We’ll miss him.”
Also Monday, the city ccouncil:
• Approved the city’s property tax levy request of $1,263,300, a 3.87 percent increase from this year.
• Approved using sales tax money and other sources to pay the $653,246 debt service for 2011 on bonds for South Cummings Lane, Cruger Road and Five Points Washington construction projects. Taxpayers will not pay the debt service, officials said.
• Approved a final payment of $368,717 to River City Construction Co. of East Peoria for Phase 1 improvements to Sewage Treatment Plant No. 2. Total cost of the project, which took nearly two years to complete, was $6.8 million.
“While the construction went more than seven months beyond the original completion date, I’m proud to say the city now has some very good facilities at the plant and we’re in excellent position to move forward with the next phase of improvements,” said City Engineer Ken Newman.
Richard Russo was appointed Washington’s new city attorney Dec. 19 by the City Council, taking the post held at different times by a father and son a combined 65 years.
Russo replaces Kenneth L. Black, who resigned Oct. 31 after holding the job since 1977. Black’s father, Kenneth W. Black, was city attorney from 1938 to 1977, except for a stretch from 1952 to 1960, when Mel Moehle held the job.
The City Council opted to retain the Peoria law firm of Davis & Campbell to handle the city’s legal matters for one year, and appointed Russo city attorney. He’ll be paid $185 per hour. Derek Schryer was appointed assistant city attorney. His fee is $165 per hour.
“I was very fortunate to work with wonderful elected officials and city staff through the years,” Kenneth L. Black said earlier on Dec. 19. “I’ll miss them.”
Kenneth L. Black, who turned 69 on Dec. 5, declined to give a reason for his resignation, but did note the job of city attorney had become more challenging during the past 15 years, including an increased workload, because of the city’s growth. Washington’s population increased nearly 40 percent from 2000 to 2010, to the now more than 15,000 residents.
Washington Mayor Gary Manier echoed Black’s comments following the meeting.
“Ken did a great job,” Manier said. “It seems strange not having him at the council table with us. We’ll miss him.”
Also Monday, the city ccouncil:
• Approved the city’s property tax levy request of $1,263,300, a 3.87 percent increase from this year.
• Approved using sales tax money and other sources to pay the $653,246 debt service for 2011 on bonds for South Cummings Lane, Cruger Road and Five Points Washington construction projects. Taxpayers will not pay the debt service, officials said.
• Approved a final payment of $368,717 to River City Construction Co. of East Peoria for Phase 1 improvements to Sewage Treatment Plant No. 2. Total cost of the project, which took nearly two years to complete, was $6.8 million.
“While the construction went more than seven months beyond the original completion date, I’m proud to say the city now has some very good facilities at the plant and we’re in excellent position to move forward with the next phase of improvements,” said City Engineer Ken Newman.
