The January 7 Vermilion Township Board of Trustees meeting has put to rest any questions surrounding who is handling the day-to-day operations of the township. Trustees confirmed that Trustee Kurt Johnson is now serving as township administrator, while former administrator Joe Baxter has moved into the township’s building department as the building inspector.
The change was approved during the January 3 organizational meeting, but several residents used the January 7 session to ask how the transition was being carried out. Trustees made it clear that the two roles are separate and that Baxter is no longer serving as administrator.
During his update, Johnson told the board he is settling into the position and that Baxter has been helping him work through ongoing township matters as the handoff continues.
The shift comes as Vermilion Township prepares to take full control of its own building department. Baxter, who has the required inspection credentials, will oversee building inspections as the township completes its 90-day transition away from using the City of Vermilion for those services. Trustees said the township’s fee schedule has already been drafted and will be finalized before the transition period ends.
About the Author
