Almost all Peru aldermen Monday spoke in favor of voting yes to hire Attorney Scott Schweickert to be the city’s full-time attorney at a future meeting. Alderman Aaron Buffo was the only one saying he is still against it because the city didn’t look for other applicants. He also says when this was brought up under a previous administration, the alderman were against it.
Alderman Tom Payton told Buffo that he was against it at the time because he didn’t like who would have replaced the Schweickert law firm. Resident Martin Rue Jr. spoke to the council again Monday saying that the process of hiring Schweickert was rushed through.
Alderman Mike Sapienza says he seen the need that city ordinances needs changes and Schweickert will be able to help do that at a good price.
Aldermen Bob Tieman, David Waldorf, Jim Lukosus, Jeff Ballard, and Tom Payton also spoke in favor of hiring Schweickert. Alderman Jason Edgcomb did not comment.
The council approved placing on file objections by Mayor Ken Kolowski to hiring Schweickert at the full-time attorney and creating a new department for the city Monday. Kolowski says the city’s payroll is gone up over eighteen percent in the last five years while revenues have only gone up by twelve percent which is why he wants to keep the system the way it is. He also says the total payroll, benefits, and expenses would cost more than what the city is paying the law firm on average right now. The council could make Schweickert the full time attorney by a 6-2 super majority vote if it comes up for a vote at another council meeting.