Carpentersville candidates talk money

From pay cuts to consolidating fire departments to raising car impound fees, candidates for the Carpentersville village board have discussed a number of ways to boost revenue and save money for residents.

Earlier this year, the village made the first layoffs in its history, letting six employees go and eliminating 4½ empty police positions to close a $1.1 million budget deficit. The board is also considering whether to fund five crossing guards at a total cost of $50,000 a year.

If elected, Humberto Garcia and Don Burroway, who are running together, said they would support staff pay cuts from “A to Z.”

“We all have to do our part to make this work,” Burroway said during a Daily Herald editorial board interview. “It’s the reality today.”

But both candidates they would not cut police and fire services.

“We can’t touch them,” Garcia said, adding that the village needs more firefighters, not fewer.

Garcia suggested raising money for more firefighters by installing parking meters outside the court at village hall and instituting fees for the fire department’s inspections — the department does not charge for annual inspections.

Burroway said raising police impound fees could also add to the village’s bottom line.

Discussions are currently under way among leadership in the Carpentersville Fire Department to combine certain support services, such as maintenance and public education, with other departments in Dundee Township.

Marks, a former volunteer paramedic at Sherman Hospital, wants to take that a step further by regionalizing Carpentersville’s fire department, a move he says could save money and resources.

”I think we need to rethink how we’re utilizing people,” Marks said.

Paul Humpfer, the only incumbent in the five-way race for three seats, says the village is currently saving money from the downsizing and by combining departments to reduce payroll costs. Moreover, the finance committee, of which Humpfer is chairman, will soon put forth a proposal to raise certain fees.

“It’s all up for discussion,” Humpfer said, adding that he would like to get feedback from the public before disclosing his thoughts on fee increases.

Candidate Kent Baldwin could not be reached for comment.