Joliet’s new community development director was working as consultant for city

The city of Joliet has named Dustin Anderson as its community development director.

Anderson has been serving as a consultant since April 22 to oversee the department that includes several services, including planning, neighborhood services, building permits, inspections and economic development.

He previously was town manager in Munster, Indiana, the top administrative position in that municipality where he oversaw all departments, according to a news release from the city of Joliet.

The city of Joliet announced Anderson’s appointment Monday.

He will be paid a salary of $180,00, according to city spokeswoman Rosemaria DiBenedetto. That’s $22,000 more than his predecessor in the position.

“The city is fortunate to have found a person with Dustin’s unique background, expertise and long list of accomplishments to fill this important position,” City Manager Beth Beatty said in the release. “He has been involved in municipal operations since 2006 and has proven his ability to lead the department successfully the past several months. We are delighted he has accepted the position to be a part of the transformational change Joliet is experiencing.”

Anderson’s achievements in Munster included the first revision of the municipality’s development code in 30 years and oversight of more than $100 million in commercial development through public-private partnerships, according to the release.

Anderson holds a master of public affairs degree from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a bachelor of arts in political science and criminal justice from Indiana University.

He replaces Eva-Marie Tropper, who left in March in what was officially a resignation.

Tropper’s salary when she left was $157,722, DiBenedetto said.

Tropper and former Economic Development Director Cesar Suarez, who worked under Tropper, left the same day in a week in which City Council members criticized economic development efforts at a public meeting. They received severance packages as they left.

Suarez’s position was filled by Paulina Martinez in May.

The hiring of Anderson is the latest in a series of changes among top officials at City Hall.

Last week, Joliet announced that Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry will come on board as city clerk.

Ferry will be paid $139,510, an increase from her county salary of $93,116.

Joliet also parted ways last week with interim City Attorney Chris Regis, who has been on the city legal staff since 2016.

The city has been looking for a permanent city attorney since Sabrina Spano left in July 2023 to take a job as assistant city attorney in Naperville.