Stepping up the plate of running McHenry County from the administrative side will be Scott Hartman after Peter Austin retires.
That’s one of items early on in tonight’s meeting.
He will be paid $230,000, plus fringe benefits.
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The county’s press release:
Scott Hartman Hired as Next County Administrator
WOODSTOCK, Ill. – Deputy County Administrator Scott Hartman has been chosen to succeed retiring County Administrator Peter Austin.
The County Board voted Tuesday evening to promote Hartman, who has served as deputy county administrator since 2014.
Austin, who will step down Jan. 2 after 20 years as administrator, will spend the next three and a half months working with Hartman to transition into the role.
Hartman said he will build upon McHenry County Government’s long and well-established reputation for innovation, fiscal prudence, collaboration and cooperation among municipal and county partners.
“I am proud to have been a key contributor to many of McHenry County’s celebrated successes and strategic goals over the past 11 years,” Hartman said.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence that County Board Chairman Buehler and the McHenry County
Board have placed in me to continue the professional excellence, commitment to good responsive government and collaborative spirit established by Mr. Austin,” Hartman said.
Hartman’s relationship with McHenry County began in 2008 when he was appointed to serve on the McHenry County Ethics Commission, a role he served with distinction until his hiring as deputy county administrator, at which time he became their staff liaison.
Hartman’s commitment to ethics continues as he currently serves as Chairman of the Illinois City / County Management Association’s Committee on Professional Conduct.
Hartman’s many accomplishments as deputy administrator include being a driving force in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan that guides the County Board’s priorities and decisions.
“I’ve worked with many professionals during my 34 years of government service, but Scott’s level of dedication and integrity, and the passion he brings to public service, is unmatched,” Austin said.
“Retiring from McHenry County is bittersweet, but I know Scott will continue McHenry County’s culture of collaboration, innovation and fiscal responsibility. McHenry County will be in a very capable set of hands.”
Hartman’s qualifications and knowledge made him the best candidate for the job, Buehler said.
The Ad-Hoc Committee on County Administrator Appointment, composed of the chairpersons of the County Board’s seven standing committees, decided to begin its search internally, and quickly concluded that Hartman’s skills and unmatched knowledge of county operations made him the obvious choice.
“Scott’s work ethic and drive, and his deep institutional knowledge forged over 11 years as deputy county administrator, make him the best person by far to take McHenry County into the future,” Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said.
Hartman, 53, graduated in 1993 with honors from Thiel University in Greenville, Penn., and earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1997 from Northern Illinois University.
Following his six years serving as Marengo City Administrator, he served as village manager of Pingree Grove and city manager of Highwood before joining McHenry County.
Hartman has called McHenry County home for 20 years, and lives here with his wife, Cheryl, and three daughters.
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Photo credit: K-Adams Foto.
