Police officers were the highest paid employees in the city of Belvidere last fiscal year and nine city employees earned more than $125,000.
Of the 10 highest paid employees in fiscal year 2025, eight were police officers.
Belvidere budgeted $15.6 million for salaries and benefits for personnel in fiscal year 2025, representing about 65% of the city’s $24.5 million general fund budget.
Of that total, more than one-third is reserved for the police department’s $8.7 million budget which was a 9% increase over the $8 million budgeted for police in fiscal year 2024.
Top paid Belvidere employees last year earned only modest increases over fiscal year 2024.
Under Illinois law, municipalities that participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund are required to publicly report a list of all employees paid more than $75,000 annually.
To support transparency in the use of public funds and to better inform residents on how tax dollars are spent each year, the Rockford Register Star is reporting on the salaries of public employees in government bodies across the region.
Here is a look at what the 10 highest paid Belvidere employees earned in fiscal year 2025. And you can search our database for all Belvidere employees who made $75,000 or more.
David Bird, $141,515
Belvidere Police Department Deputy Chief of Patrol David Bird was the highest paid city employee in fiscal year 2025, earning $141,515 including $2,564 in overtime and $16,893 in additional earnings, uniform allowance and vacation pay. Bird’s earnings were about a 7% increase over the $131,734 he earned in fiscal year 2024.
Shane Woody, $134,027
Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody was paid $134,027 in fiscal year 2025, making him the second highest paid city employee. It was a 2.7% increase over the $130,557 Woody earned in fiscal year 2024.
Michael Ball, $133,046
Belvidere Police Sgt. Michael Ball earned $133,046 in fiscal year 2025, including $7,466 in overtime and $16,900 in additional earnings, uniform allowance and vacation pay. His total pay was a 2% increase over the $130,148 he earned in fiscal year 2024.
Paul Derry, $132,166
Belvidere Police Sgt. Paul Derry earned $132,166 in fiscal year 2025, including $11,380 in overtime and $12,108 in additional earnings, uniform allowance and vacation pay. His total pay was 3.3% more than the $127,977 he earned in fiscal year 2024.
Michael Drella, $129,518
Belvidere City Attorney Michael Drella earned $129,517 in fiscal year 2025. It was 3% more than the $125,774 Drella was paid in fiscal year 2024.
Matthew Korn, $129,213
Belvidere Police Officer Matthew Korn was paid $129,213 in fiscal year 2025, including $37,784 in overtime and $7,787 in additional earnings, uniform allowance and comp pay.
Mark Beck, $127,192
Belvidere Firefighter Mark Beck earned $127,192 in fiscal year 2025, including $29,215 in overtime and $13,428 in acting leadership pay, additional pay, longevity pay and uniform allowance. Beck’s total pay was 10% more than the $115,147 he earned in fiscal year 2024.
Daniel Smaha, $126,511
Belvidere Police Department Deputy Chief for Investigations Daniel Smaha earned 126511 in fiscal year 2025. It was 3% less than the $130,816 Smaha earned in fiscal year 2024.
Christopher Washburn, $125,150
Belvidere Police Sgt. Christopher Washburn earned $125,150 in fiscal year 2025, including $3,698 in overtime pay, and $12,773 in additional pay, specialty pay, longevity bonus and uniform allowance. It was 7.7% more than the $116,169 Washburn earned in fiscal year 2024.
Paul King, $121,324
Belvidere Sgt. Paul King earned $121,324 in fiscal year 2025, including $21,011 in comp pay, longevity bonus, specialty pay, worker’s compensation and additional pay. It was about equal to the $120,556 King earned in fiscal year 2024.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here’s who was paid the most in City of Belvidere government in 2025
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
