Walters gets the call

City agrees to hire its first female administrator

By Ed Nadolski

Editor in Chief

The City of Burlington has reached a verbal agreement to hire Lake Forest, Ill., Assistant City Manager Carina Walters to fill the city’s vacant administrator post.

Walters is scheduled to be in Burlington Tuesday to sign the agreement and be introduced at that evening’s Common Council meeting, according to Mayor Bob Miller.

Miller negotiated the terms of the contract – which will pay Walters $110,000 annually – last week and then met in closed session with the council Tuesday night to answer questions or address any concerns before announcing the agreement.

The council will formally vote on the pact Tuesday and will decide whether to give Miller authority to finalize the agreement. If approved, Walters will start work in Burlington on April 9.

Walters, who has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Benedictine University and a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University, has worked in Lake Forest since 2005. She was promoted to assistant city manager in 2010.

She succeeds Kevin Lahner, who left the city in January to become administrator in Waukesha.

“The city is getting a quality individual – I think we got the pick of the litter,” Miller said.

Walters was selected from a field of 55 applicants following a national search conducted by the firm GovHR USA.

Walters and Burlington Public Works Director Craig Workman emerged as finalists following a two-day interview and assessment process in February. At that point the council decided to enter into negotiations with Walters.

Miller said he is most impressed with Walter’s outgoing personality and her methodical approach to work.

“She came across very clearly that she is looking for that change – to move up in her career,” Miller said, noting that it was important to find someone with career drive. “She’s very methodical in the way she works (and) I think that will be very beneficial.”

Miller expects Walters to hit the ground running. He specifically mentioned the completion of Aurora Health Care’s new Burlington facility, along with addressing the future needs of the city’s outdoor swimming pool, library and City Hall, as the high-profile issues she will face.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Miller said Walters is experienced in labor relations, transportation initiatives, grant funding and tax incremental financing districts.

According to a salary comparison prepared by the city of administrator pay in 14 similar-sized Wisconsin communities, Walters will be paid above average for the position. Her proposed salary of $110,000 ranks third on the comparison behind Glendale ($126,000) and Grafton ($121,794).

The average salary among administrators in the 14 communities is $102,411. Ten of the 14 communities pay their administrators $100,000 or more. The lowest salary ($85,000) is in Little Chute near Green Bay.

Miller said the fact that Burlington must also compete with communities in Northern Illinois contributed to the salary amount.

“There is a market and you have to go with the market or you don’t get a qualified candidate,” he said.

Miller also said the fact that Walters has a master’s degree and four years experience as an assistant manager put her at the higher end of the scale.

The city initially advertised the position with a salary plus or minus $100,000.

Walters, who could not be reached for comment before deadline, enjoys running and spending time with her husband and two young children, a son and a daughter, according to the city’s press release.

During a community meet-and-greet session with community members Feb. 23, Walters said, “This step for me is a very large step. I need to make sure that the community is going to like me, and if I can also fit in with the community.

“There are a number of initiatives that really interest me,” she added. “I can’t wait to dig in.”