Gurnee trustee proposes new salt dome

A Gurnee trustee is raising concerns about whether $250,000 should be set aside for construction of a new road salt dome as part of the village's new $49 million proposed budget.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik began pushing for construction of a second storage dome after the village's salt supply dwindled during the 14-inch snowstorm Feb. 6.

Kovarik even issued a public apology for what she called a disappointing snow-removal effort because of the salt woes and mechanical problems with three plows.

However, Trustee Greg Garner said he didn't think $250,000 for a salt dome is a wise way to spend money at this time, and should be put on hold.

"I've sat through these budget meetings for a couple years now," Garner told colleagues during a recent village board meeting. "We talk about all the time what we want, but we rarely talk about what we can cut."

Village Administrator James Hayner said the salt dome can be delayed, but the need would remain.

Half of Gurnee is west of the Tri-State Tollway, he said, so considerable employee time and fuel is expended to refill trucks with salt at the village's Kilbourne Road public works headquarters on the east side.

Trustee Jeanne Balmes said she favors building the salt dome now because it won't get cheaper.

Village board members will receive the budget document for final approval Monday night.

Meanwhile, Garner questioned other potential expenditures in the budget. He pointed to $45,000 set aside for employees to attend conventions, and $34,000 for a village Web site update.

Balmes disagreed with Garner, saying she would favor "spending even more money" on additional projects, such as local road repairs.