Kevin Barr, who has worked for the past eight years as Village Manager in Clarendon Hills, will retire, effective June 30.
“I have worked nearly 36 years in my profession and am turning 60 this summer. I felt that it is time,” Barr said. “In addition, I wanted to complete the term of Village President (Len) Austin and provide some time to support the transition after the May 15 swearing in of a new Village Board.”
Austin, who opted to not seek a third four-year term in the April 4 election, said Barr was an excellent Village Manager many reasons.
“I think the most valuable asset is he has a good sense of humor,” Austin said. “As in many facets of the private sector, consumers, especially through and post COVID, have become brutal in their attack of trying to get what they want.
“Kevin also has earned the respect of his management staff, and I feel the village staff as a whole, by being consistent and fair. In addition, Kevin has done a great job of welcoming board members and understanding their individual viewpoints and concerns.”]
Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer, who has worked with Barr during his entire eight years in Clarendon Hills, except for a two-year period during which Creer left to pursue other opportunities, said he will miss working with Barr.
“I have learned a ton from him,” Creer said. “Kevin is exceptional at listening to stakeholders, whether they are employees, residents or business owners, and always is willing to consider if there are better ways to do things, based on their feedback.
“He is flexible to accommodate a complicated and changing world, while adhering to the need to make sure that the government operates fairly for everyone.”
Creer said Barr always has encouraged an atmosphere in which employees have not been not afraid to try new things, knowing that not every idea will be an instant success.
“His focus has always been on what he thinks is best for the village, while understanding that ultimately it is the residents’ town,” Creer said. “I think you can see the positive results of his work throughout our organization and the community as a whole.”
When he leaves the summer, Barr said he will most miss the many people in the community who care and do their best to make improvements in Clarendon Hills.
“I’ve most enjoyed working with a great Village Board and staff,” he said. “The community supports professional management of operations. This has allowed us to make real progress and to make sure that Clarendon Hills remains in a great financial position.”
Barr mentioned being a part of seeing significant projects, such downtown improvements and business development in the downtown area, along with keeping the village able to keep taxes below the amount allowed under tax cap legislation, as highlights of his tenure.
Barr came to Clarendon Hills after working as Village Manager in Schiller Park for 15 years. Prior to that, he served for seven years as the Assistant Village Manager in Bensenville and worked for six years in Northbrook.
He also has served on the executive boards of the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency and the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency.
After his retirement, Barr said he plans to spend more quality time with family and friends.
Some time after being seated May 15, the new Village Board will make a decision on naming a replacement for Barr.
While Barr works his final couple of months in Clarendon Hills, village officials are seeking a replacement for Community Development Director Jonathan Mendel, who left April 7 for the same position in Northbrook.
“We are currently interviewing candidates, are very happy with the quality of those candidates and will hopefully have someone soon,” Creer said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
