Despite concerns, Mount Prospect issues bonds for new police, fire station sites

Despite residents' complaints that they've been left out of the process, Mount Prospect village trustees approved a $12.1 million bond issue Tuesday to purchase buildings to serve as new police and fire stations.

Trustees also accepted FGM Architects' proposal to design a new police headquarters at 799 Biermann Court in an amount not to exceed $1.1 million. FGM performed the space-needs study that last year persuaded trustees to begin searching for new homes for police and fire headquarters.

The total cost for the new police facility and the fire station at 111 E. Rand Road is estimated at $40 million.

Village Finance Director David Erb emphasized that there would be no increase to the annual levy for debt service as a result of the borrowing.

However, several residents voiced their displeasure with the way the village communicated about the project with citizens.

"You've got some citizens who feel like they have not had a chance to be heard, and that's the biggest concern I have," resident Peggy Pissarreck said.

Trustee Paul Hoefert, who has been critical of the process, cast the lone "no" vote against the bond issue.

"The fact is we haven't even given you guys a chance for us to hear you," he told residents.

Village Manager Michael Cassady disagreed.

"We have had 10 public meetings at this village board or finance commission since Nov. 28. Ten, including an open house when we counted well over 100 residents that attended," he said.

Moving quickly was necessary to keep costs down and secure the Biermann Court property, he added.

Mayor Arlene Juracek said the village board values the public process. The new facilities have been part of the village's strategic planning and budgeting process over the last two years, she noted.

"So this isn't some subject that kind of popped up. Unfortunately, a lot of times this doesn't grab people's attention until the rubber meets the road," Juracek said.