DuPage stimulus package in doubt

A multimillion-dollar economic stimulus proposal in DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom's budget recommendation is in jeopardy because of the failing economy.

Several board members suggested scaling back or postponing implementation of the DuPage 2013 plan that calls for borrowing to pay for $220 million in capital improvements during the next five years. The money would pay for road projects that create jobs and also help rehab older county buildings and replace outdated technology, Schillerstrom said.

"I don't see the harm in waiting six months to see how the economy is doing," said board member Jim Zay.

Schillerstrom acknowledged the country's economic climate is vastly different now than it was a month ago when he made his budget pitch, but suggested the county could earmark the money now and still move forward without committing immediately to the borrowing plan.

"I think everyone's nervous about issuing bonds right now, and I don't have a problem with that," Schillerstrom said. "But it would be prudent to move forward with the plan."

Fred Backfield, the county's chief financial officer, said additional sales tax revenue expected from a bump in the tax rate earlier this year has slowed as the economy flounders.

Board member Brien Sheahan said moving forward with any program that requires borrowing could potentially drain the county's coffers and cause a budget scenario like last year when hundreds of layoffs were expected if the sales tax rate hadn't been increased.

"We're virtually spending every dime we've got coming in," Sheahan said. "I'm having a hard time seeing how we're not going to wind up with the same debate we were having last summer two or three years down the line if we go forward with this. The timing just isn't good."

Sheahan said the board should focus spending on the county's core functions, like public safety. He supports the salary increase requests Sheriff John Zaruba and State's Attorney Joseph Birkett are seeking for deputies and assistant prosecutors, which would amount to double-digit percentage point raises.

"I think the sheriff has made a compelling case to adjust starting salaries for deputies," he said.

The county has until Nov. 30 to ratify the budget. Board committees are still holding hearings for department leaders, but the finance committee has slated two meetings next Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. to go over all requests.