A chance to ask what Elgin can do for you

Brian Anderson would like Elgin leaders to invest in decorative lighting for some of the city's neighborhoods.

Pat Keeney thinks the city should spend another $10,000 to $15,000 to improve the Fourth of July parade.

Judy Robnett wants to see the combined sewer system separated near her home.

One by one, Elgin residents Wednesday night discussed their personal priorities with city leaders as part of the annual budget process.

Some suggestions -- such as spending more money on the Fourth of July -- could get immediate consideration.

Other projects, such as the combined sewer system, are already in the works, but could take years to finish.

"The combined sewer program will be funded every year until all the combined sewers in Elgin are gone," assistant city manager Sean Stegall said. "It's a never-ending project."

City council members already met this year to set their own priorities for the upcoming budget.

Tops on that list were the mandatory deconversion of some multi-tenant houses, an environmental, "green" master plan and the addition of more public works staff.

Wednesday's meeting was about adding residents' own budget views to the mix.

Gifford Park Association President Dan Miller, for instance, would like to see more attractive garbage bins along the street, and new curbs on Chicago Street.

"It's a disgrace to the city of Elgin," Miller said of the curbs.

But Miller, and others, were able to take at least one item off their budget wish list.

City officials announced Wednesday that they plan to hire a full-time preservation specialist -- a nod to those who have said the city needs to do a better job preserving Elgin's history.

Miller says someone had already called him earlier in the day to give him the news.

"I got all tangled up in the phone cord when I was doing flip flops," he said.