Frankfort Officials OK New Contract For Village Administrator, Approve Appointment Of Police Chief As New Assistant Village Administrator

By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press:

FRANKFORT, Ill. — Frankfort Village Administrator Rob Piscia has a new contract and a new right-hand man.

The Village of Frankfort Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Tuesday, July 6, as part of the Consent Agenda to approve a new deal for Piscia and to appoint current Frankfort Police Chief John Burica as the assistant village administrator.

“The agreement sets forth the professional services to be provided by the village administrator, terms of compensation and other general employment provisions for the position,” Mayor Keith Ogle said before the vote.

Piscia’s contract runs concurrently with the term of the Village president, and his salary was set at $175,002. He is required to live in Frankfort and will be provided with a Village-owned vehicle, per the agreement.

Ogle also asked the board members to appoint Burica to the new role “effective immediately.”

“John has served as interim assistant village administrator since December 2020 and previously served as interim in 2017,” Ogle said. “He will provide oversight of the police department until a new police chief is named. John brings over 26 years of local government experience, including the past 23 years with Frankfort and almost 11 years as Police Chief. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Governors State University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University.

“John has served on numerous Village and Will County committees and is always looking for new opportunities and methods to best serve our community. He has been an exceptional leader, and we are grateful for his leadership and his continued commitment to Frankfort.”

After the trustees voted, Ogle also cast an unofficial affirmative ballot.

“I have great confidence in our leadership and our staff here,” Ogle said.

During his comments to the Village Board later in the meeting, Piscia thanked Ogle and board members for their continued support.

“I look forward to continuing to work with everybody,” he said.

Piscia also congratulated Burica.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed his time as police chief, and I know the dedication that he has for the Village [and] that he will meet all of your expectations as an assistant village administrator.”

Burica also thanked the board members for the appointment and their support.

“I’m looking forward to new challenges both personally and professionally — new challenges that will come up with the opportunity of this position,” he said. “I do plan to bring some new things to the Village and working with Rob will be great.

“I’m happy that I get to continue to serve the community in this new role. It’s a great staff that we have that works here and a great community.”

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