The Macomb City Council voted Tuesday to hire Julie Leonard as the city’s new Community Development director to replace Cesar Suarez.
Suarez took over the role in January 2026 following the departure of Miranda Lambert. His last day in the office is Sept. 18. According to City Administrator Scott Coker, Suarez is returning to the Chicagoland area as his wife has accepted a position there.
Leonard, who hails from Hanna City, served for four years as an economic development and community development coordinator in Payson, AZ. She will begin her tenure Sept. 21. Prior to serving as the economic development coordinator for Payson, she managed a federal workforce grant at Central Arizona College. While Leonard’s hire was unanimously approved, Alderman Dave Dorsett brought up the city’s hiring practices.
“We have two hirings with no memo that was included in our packet. Under the guidelines for the city administrator, he can hire below the department head level. I appreciate the ability to have some input here tonight, but I believe that we need to reconsider how we're doing with some of these hires,” Dorsett pointed out. “We have a standing personnel committee and if there is a standing committee, then items are supposed to go through them first. So, I believe the personnel committee should be involved in these prior to us getting this lady's resume at the vote.”
The council also approved hiring Jerry Depoy as fleet mechanic in the transportation department. Depoy recently sold Depoy’s Auto Service in Macomb, which he had owned since 1983 In other business, council members approved a change order reflecting higher concrete costs for 2026 road repairs. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said the $1.7 million project would include an additional $109,604 to Gunther Construction for curb and gutter and driveway work in the Rolling Meadows subdivision. Aldermen also approved $68,923 for Complete Asphalt Services for annual crack sealing, this time including the downtown square. A contract totaling $16,541 was awarded to Varsity Striping for pavement marking from University Drive to Wigwam Hollow Road, and at the intersection of East Grant Street and Maple Avenue.
The council okayed a $79,128 package for a car chassis from Landmark Ford and a truck body from Knapheide. Ohrtmann said the new utility truck package was based on the state procurement process. In other business, alderman approved $80,972 to Cummins Sales and Service to replace an engine in one of the city fire trucks as the engine has been overheating and has a cracked cylinder head. The fee includes $1,210 to tow the fire engine to Normal.
Prior to the start of Tuesday’s meeting, the council held a public hearing regarding a consolidated vehicle procurement grant for $485,000 to replace five vehicles in the Macomb Transportation Department fleet. Transit Director CallaBria Putrino told those present that two medium-duty buses and three mini-vans will be replaced. Aldermen later voted to authorize an application to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the grant money. Also approved was the transportation department's agreement to provide emergency services to The Elms at no charge, if needed.
A resolution was approved authorizing $145,312 in Enterprise Zone benefits to iDoc Repair at 1277 Hemp Rd, as was a $5,000 residential rehabilitation program grant to Doug and Cheryl Rossio to build a front porch at 4 Finn Lane. Two downtown facade renovation grants were also approved: $20,000 for Stacy Foxall Allstate Insurance at 28 W. Side Square, and $18,300 for The Book Post at 107-111 South Side Square.
The city council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program application for enhanced streetscape construction surrounding Chandler Park, and heard the first reading of an ordinance setting compensation for elected city officials. The ordinance will be discussed at the City Council Committee of the Whole next week.
