After about six months, Plainfield finally has a permanent village administrator.

The Plainfield Village Board, replacing Brian Murphy, who served nearly a decade in the top position, hired Joshua Blakemore unanimously on Monday. Blakemore is currently the city administrator at Marengo. He has a master of public administration degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Blakemore will start his new job on Dec. 13 at an annual salary of $180,000. He will receive a monthly stipend of $500 for car expenses related to village business and get 20 days of paid vacation.

Following his election as mayor, this past spring, Mayor John Argoudelis made the surprising announcement that he would not extend Murphy’s contract, which had come to an end following the April 6 election. This angered several village trustees Cally Larson, Patricia Kalkanis, Brian Wojowski and Tom Ruane, who all wanted the mayor to extend Murphy’s contract.

Murphy, a native of Michigan, had been Plainfield’s top administrator since 2009. In 2017, the village board unanimously approved a new four-year contract for him at an annual salary of more than $170,000, plus a monthly car allowance of $600. His contract was valid until the last day of Village President Michael Collins’ term, which ended in April 2021 when he decided against re-election. Argoudelis defeated longtime Plainfield trustee Margie Bonuchi for the mayoral seat.

But Argoudelis said one of his election campaign pledges to voters was to be an “agent of change” in Plainfield. He said his decision, albeit “hard,” proves he will keep his promise to constituents.

“You cannot make changes with the same people,” he said. “I struggled with whether Brian is the right person to continue forward.”

Argoudelis on Monday said the “moon and stars aligned” as the board and staff believes Blakemore is the right person for the job.

“He is the right person at the right time in this community,” said the mayor. “He will help us make it the best Plainfield.”

Blakemore said he is excited about the new job opportunity.

“I am very honored and humbled by your selection to be the next village administrator,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity you have placed before me.”

Traci Pleckham, director of management services, served as interim village administrator until a replacement was named.