Randy Bukas

City Manager
Randy Bukas

Administrative Offices
City Hall Building
314 W. Stephenson St., Suite 200
Freeport, IL 61032

Phone: 815.235.8206
Fax: 815.235.8874

Randy comes to the City of Freeport with almost 40 years of experience in local government. Randy has served as a City Manager, acting Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director, City Treasurer and City Clerk during the course of his career. He has developed municipal budgets that range from $5 million to $27 million; has been responsible for investing/managing $50 million in city funds; and, has been involved in municipal bond ratings and borrowings for long term and short term needs. Randy was also instrumental in financing a $12 million municipal electric distribution upgrade and the financing of a $4.4 million building for a local business.

Randy is active in the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA.) Randy has served on the ICMA Conference Planning Committee and currently serves on the ILCMA Board of Directors. He is also a member of the American Planning Association and the Illinois Chapter, the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association and the Illinois Public Employers Labor Relations Association.

Randy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He enjoys jogging and bicycling in his spare time.

Randy first served as the Finance Director for the City of Freeport and was appointed to the City Manager position on May 18, 2020.

COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT:

The council-manager form of government is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

The City of Freeport operates under the council-manager form of government. The City Council is elected by the public and serves as the governing body of the City. The City Council in turn appoints a professional City Manager who implements Council direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City. If comparing City government to a corporation, the City Council is the Board of Directors and the City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer.

Role of the Mayor:

Mayors in council-manager communities (or chairpersons in counties) are key political leaders and policy developers. In the case of the council, the mayor is responsible for soliciting citizen views in forming these policies and interpreting them to the public.

The mayor presides at council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the community, facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a promoter and defender of the community.

In addition, the mayor serves as a key representative in intergovernmental relations. The mayor, council, and manager constitute a policy-development and management team.
Role of the City Council:

The City Council is Freeport’s legislative and policy-making body. The City Council establishes the vision and goals for the City.

The Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Council members. One Council member is elected At-Large and Seven are elected by Wards.

The Council adopts the ordinances and resolutions that establish the laws and standards for our City government, and they provide direction on services and projects to address the City’s needs. The City Council approves the

City budget and various policies, approves expenditures, sets local tax rates, and approves City staffing levels.

Role of the City Manager:

The City Council appoints a professional City Manager to implement Council’s direction and oversee the day-to-day operations of the City. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is charged with putting the Council’s vision, goals, and priorities into action.

The City Manager implements Council direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City.

The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer for the City government. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is charged with putting the Council’s vision, goals, and priorities into action. The City

Manager provides leadership for the City organization, sets performance expectations for City staff, and supervises all City Department Heads.

The City Manager is the chief advisor to Council members, providing them with recommendations based upon complete and objective information about City operations and services. The City Manager is responsible for the preparation of City Council meeting agendas and scheduling items for Council discussion and action. The City Manager carries out the decisions of the Council with an emphasis on effective, efficient, and equitable service delivery to the entire community.

The manager must also follow the ICMA (International City Managers Association) Code of Ethics.