Three weeks after abrupt resignation of Belleville city engineer, assistant hired for job
Scott Saeger returned to his roots when he was hired as Belleville’s assistant city engineer two months ago.
Engineering department offices are located on the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus, which formerly housed Belleville Township High School, Belleville West and Lindenwood University.
“I knew this part of the building as my study hall when it was Belleville West,” Saeger said. “It brings back memories.”
On Monday night, the City Council approved Mayor Patty Gregory’s appointment of Saeger as city engineer. The promotion followed the abrupt resignation of Sal Elkott, his former boss, on Aug. 25.
Elkott, who had served in the position about two years, didn’t give notice or publicly explain his reason for leaving.
“It has been a privilege to serve the residents of the City of Belleville,” he wrote in an email to Gregory that was obtained by the BND through a Freedom of Information Act request.
“Effective today, I resign my duties as the City Engineer. The Engineering Department has done an enormous amount of work in two years, but much more needs to be done. I will make myself available to ensure an orderly transfer of operational details to Scott Saeger.
“Scott is a person of integrity, but it will take him time to get acquainted with the work. He will need substantial support.”
Saeger, 52, grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville West in 1989. He earned an associate’s degree at Southwestern Illinois College before studying at University of Missouri-Rolla, now known as Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Saeger worked as a project engineer for Alberici Constructors from 1996 to 2003, assistant city engineer for the village of Shiloh from 2003 to 2006 and city engineer for the village of Smithton from 2006 to 2023. He and his wife, Margaret, an IT specialist, live in St. Louis County.
As Belleville city engineer, Saeger will earn $120,819, the same as Elkott, according to Finance Director Jamie Maitret.
“Sal had a lot of projects set up that are already in the pipeline,” Saeger said Tuesday. “So that’s kind of the focus right now, making sure that those projects keep moving forward.”
The city engineer plans for projects related to infrastructure, such as streets and sidewalks, including budgeting and contracting.
Elkott formerly served as Stookey Township highway commissioner. He founded his own engineering firm in 2004 but agreed to suspend its operation while employed as city engineer.
Elkott’s resignation email to Gregory also referred to Renee Thompson, the engineering department secretary, who remains on the job.
“She is a dedicated and exceptional professional, who was instrumental in rebuilding a depleted Department and will be the key person to its sustenance during what will be a challenging time.”
