Des Plaines OKs more funding for generator rebate program
The Des Plaines City Council Monday night approved $50,000 in additional funding for the new home generator rebate program.
The initial $22,500 funding allocation ran out on the first day the program went into effect on Sept. 19.
Within the first week, the city had received 379 rebate applications and granted rebates of either $250 or $400 to 82 residents for portable or in-house generators.
Acting City Manager Jason Slowinski said it would take roughly $82,000 to fund the remaining 297 outstanding applications but recommended only $50,000 be allocated through the year end.
“A week from now, we will talk about whether to extend funding in 2012,” Slowinski said.
Budget discussions for 2012 begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at city hall, 1420 Miner St. Hearings continue Wednesday, Oct. 12, and Oct. 20.
Money for the generator program comes out of the city’s general fund, which is expected to have a balance in the millions at the end of this fiscal year.
Ward 8 Alderman Mike Charewicz asked whether the city could fund the entire amount needed for all the rebate requests this year out of its reserves.
Slowinski said the number of applicants will keep growing unless the council sets a cut off date for the program.
Residents applying for rebates retroactively have until Dec. 2 to come forward for the current program. There is no deadline for those applying for new generator purchases.
The city is maintaining a list of all applications in the order they were received, Slowinski said.
Ward 7 Alderman Dan Wilson said he couldn’t support the funding increase even though the city has other programs to help select groups of residents with flooding and other needs.
“This is public money for private help, and I have a real hard time with that,” Wilson said. “Regardless of how much money we give out, I have a hard time accepting that. The city should not be in the business of trying to help individual people.”
Ward 4 Alderman Dick Sayad, chair of the engineering committee, said the demand for the program has been tremendous and it will benefit the city to get more generators into residents’ hands.
“Everything we have is taxpayers’ money,” Sayad said.
Ward 1 Alderwoman Patti Haugeberg said she has received mixed reviews about the program from her ward residents.
“I’m not quite sure how I feel about this,” she said.
Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan responded curtly that the city has never had an issue with helping downtown businesses and should step up for residents in trouble.
“We can spend $100,000 in downtown on awnings and banners, but we can’t spend $50,000 for our residents?” Moylan said. “This is the perfect program to help them. Aldermen Sayad, I applaud you and your committee.”
Ward 5 Alderman James Brookman suggested residents who apply for rebates be required to provide serial numbers for the generators they purchase so city inspectors can later verify whether the money was used appropriately.
Previously, residents were required to provide only a valid receipt of purchase and the Universal Product Code.