Red-light cameras could net millions for Naperville

New red-light cameras in Naperville could add about $2.4 million to the city's coffers in what looks to be a tight budget year.

But councilmen balked at the idea of relying on the cameras as a revenue source as they hashed out the city's proposed budget at a workshop Monday.

"We have made a statement. ... This is not a revenue generator; this is for safety only," Councilman Kenn Miller said.

He also expressed concern that if the city counts on the income but then decides not to continue the program, it would leave a sizable hole in the budget.

Cameras at two intersections -- Fort Hill Drive and Aurora Avenue, and 95th Street and Book Road -- will begin operating Saturday. For the first month, warning citations will be issued. Beginning April 1, violators would receive a $100 ticket for disobeying red lights.

The city would have to issue 1,000 of the tickets per month at each of the two intersections to reach the projected $2.4 million in revenue for the year.

Doug Krieger, the city's finance director, said the projections are realistic based on talks with the vendor. He added that the city's contract with the company is based on a flat fee, so there will be no incentives for the vendor if an increasing number of citations are issued. The city will pay $180,000 this year for maintenance of the cameras at the two intersections.

But other councilmen agreed with Miller that they never expected the city to collect several million dollars from the cameras.

Councilman Grant Wehrli suggested keeping the funds in the public safety realm by using them to offset police or fire expenses.

Some were concerned the cameras could cause other traffic issues.

If drivers steer clear of Fort Hill Drive to avoid the cameras, Councilman Darlene Senger said, they may use other roads like the already congested Ogden Avenue.

The city will further discuss the issue as it continues budget talks at two additional workshops next month.

Overall, its proposed $387.7 million operating budget is up about $8.1 million from the previous year, an increase of about 2.13 percent.

While the proposed budget is balanced -- about $393,000 in the black -- officials said getting there was not an easy task.

In December, the city council passed a property tax levy that created a $3.6 million shortfall in the city's three-year plan.

In addition, the city had early indications there would be slowed growth in its largest revenue source, sales tax.

"We knew going into the process it was going to be a tough year," Krieger said. "Departments helped us out by reducing their requests."

Salary increases for non-union city employees remain stable at 4 percent this year.

In addition, city departments requested 13.75 new full-time employee positions, about half as many as last year. Of those, only 3.5 full-time positions are being recommended for approval.

Among the upcoming expenditures this year is $600,000 for outside legal services to defend several city employees against a civil rights lawsuit filed by Councilman Richard Furstenau stemming from a 2006 incident in which he was arrested and later acquitted of misdemeanor battery charges against a police officer.

Other departments, such as the police, fire and library, will present their budget proposals at the next workshop at 3:30 p.m. March 10 at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St. A third workshop will be held March 11, if necessary.

There will be a public hearing on the proposed budget April 1 and the council would vote on its adoption April 15.