State of the city? Short on cash

Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk's first State of the City address was mixed with ambitious goals for 2008 but sluggish financial projections for the city.

Gresk told an audience of Wheaton Chamber of Commerce members Thursday that finding new tax dollars for the city is a high priority. Spending will outpace income in the municipal budget.

The mayor attributed the funding shortfall, in part, to increased material costs for infrastructure improvements and employee health insurance.

"In order to provide the same level of service to its residents, the city will need either to draw from reserve funds or find ways to generate more revenue," Gresk said.

Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board member Barb Intihar asked Gresk to elaborate on the possible sources of new revenue during audience questions.

The question seemed to be a cue for Gresk to talk about the potential redevelopment of the Hubble Middle School site near downtown. The school board has promoted the potential for new retail to come to Wheaton as part of the Feb. 5 tax increase question to move Hubble to Warrenville.

Gresk endorses the Hubble referendum question but chose to discuss the potential for a city property tax rate increase in his reply.

"When push comes to shove as far as what to do, can you start talking a tax raise? I don't know," Gresk said. "That's something that we have to talk about."

Gresk also said increasing fees for licenses and permits in the city also is a possibility.

On a brighter note, three major infrastructure upgrades may see some progress in 2008.

Gresk said the city is determining the costs and feasibility of creating a pedestrian underpass to allow better foot traffic below the downtown train tracks.

Gresk said a long-planned flood mitigation project in the area of North Main Street also should begin in 2008. In addition, the reconstruction of the Wesley Street/Manchester Road bridge could begin this year. It would be a two-year project.

"Anybody that says you should just build a bridge in downtown Wheaton -- we don't have enough time or money to do that," Gresk said.

Another major undertaking will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at city hall. Gresk said the city wants any volunteers interested in planning the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Wheaton's incorporation. The city's big birthday is Feb. 24, 2009.