Naperville Park District head earns more than city manager
When the Naperville Park District executive director received a 3 percent raise this year, his annual salary climbed to $213,847, $14,000 more than that of the Naperville city manager.
The raise was granted despite criticism from at least one Naperville Park District board member, who called Executive Director Ray McGury’s pay excessive compared to the budget he oversees and amounted to overtaxation. Records from 2017 showed McGury’s salary topped that of other area park district directors by more than $50,000.
When combined with benefits — including a $7,200 car allowance and $10,000 in deferred compensation — McGury’s total compensation this year will be $288,305. That doesn’t include the $5,803.31 in pension he receives every month for the more than 20 years he spent with the Naperville Police Department.
McGury oversees a budget of $54.8 million, and his jurisdiction includes 137 parks and facilities, more than 2,400 acres of land, and about 100 full-time and 1,000 part-time employees.
By comparison, Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger, chief administrator for the city of Naperville and responsible for executing city policies, overseeing a $452.2 million budget and managing more than 900 employees, will make $199,531.26 in 2019, city data shows. With other benefits like medical and dental insurance included, Krieger’s total compensation package is $241,829.90.
Only the superintendents of Naperville’s two area school districts earn more than McGury or Krieger.
The other highest-paid government employees in the Naperville area:
■ Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall, who receives a base salary of $178,640.49 and a total compensation package of $224,820.86.
■ Naperville fire Chief Mark Puknaitis, whose base salary is $166,356.15 and total package is worth $187,410.48.
■ Naperville Public Library Executive Director Julie Rothenfluh, who earns $166,546.
■ Naper Settlement President and CEO Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, with a base salary of $140,262.56 and total compensation package of $186,605.85.
■ Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent Karen Sullivan, who receives a base salary of $290,037.49, plus $6,000 in annuities, $1,717.55 for retirement and $33,354.36 in other benefits, like health insurance and a car allowance.
■ Naperville School District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges, who has a base salary of $279,334.28, plus $33,356.59 in other benefits, including health insurance and car allowance.
McGury serves at the pleasure of the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, which approves his compensation.
Board Commissioner Bill Eagan, for one, thinks McGury’s compensation is inflated. At the Dec. 13 budget meeting, Eagan was critical of the amount paid given that McGury manages a “budget less than that of Naperville.”
“Overtaxation of our residents allows us to make crazy expenditures like this,” he said. “A ‘yes’ vote for this budget is a ‘yes’ for overtaxation, waste and pet projects, and skyrocketing costs at twice the rate of (the consumer price index). I believe we should live within our means, which is 2.1 percent CPI.”
Board President Mike Reilly said he has no problem with McGury’s compensation.
“Given the strong majority opinion amongst the board that McGury delivers very desirable outcomes, on time and under budget consistently, how do we set salary, bonus and benefits to retain him at a total cost that is beneficial to taxpayers,” Reilly said. “It is a discussion we have annually, and I personally believe we have reached a good decision every year.”
During McGury’s tenure, he has overseen the construction of the Nike Sports Complex and the Fort Hill Activity Center and the restoration and environmental cleanup of Sportsmans Park. Construction on the 33-acre Southwest Community Park is to start this year.
McGury worked with the Naperville Police Department for 21 years before retiring as a captain. In August 2005, he was appointed chief of the Bolingbrook Police Department and held the position for three years.
When he was hired by the Park District in 2008, McGury’s salary was $135,000, and he became eligible for 3 percent pay raises annually starting in 2010. Concurrently, the board approved a $500 permonth auto allowance and a $6,000 payment annually for deferred compensation, according to the contract.
McGury’s base salary was increased to $150,000 in 2011, and in 2010 his contract was contract was extended through the end of 2012. That year, his base salary went to $160,000, with an annual increase of at least 2 percent each year and a minimum 1 percent merit-based increase if he met his job requirements.
In 2015, when McGury’s base salary increased to $190,000 and his deferred compensation went to $10,000 annually, it was agreed the deal would automatically renew every Jan. 1 “unless the district notifies McGury in writing of the district’s decision not to renew this agreement by the preceding Dec. 31.”
A “continuity of service” section is also included in McGury’s contract under which McGury is guaranteed a minimum six months of severance pay if he serves as Park District director through Dec. 31, 2020, even if he resigns. Should he leave before then, he is guaranteed a minimum three months of severance pay.