Roselle working to save money, keep growing

As the ailing economy strikes a blow to Roselle's annual budget, village leaders are aiming to balance conservative spending and continued growth.

Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski outlined the village's finances and development goals on Tuesday during a Roselle Chamber of Commerce lunch that attracted local business leaders and elected officials.

While admitting that 2009 would be a tight year for Roselle's roughly $30 million annual budget, Smolinski focused on positive changes that will save money or bring in new revenue.

"If the economy doesn't turn itself around, 2010 is not going to be pretty," Smolinski said. "But let's focus on the positive. We are able to keep all our employees in jobs, which is good ... If we lay off an employee, we are talking about service cuts."

Smolinski said the village leaders were able to balance the budget despite an initial shortfall of more than $1 million.

One new source of revenue arrived in October when the village welcomed its first hotel, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson on Lake Street. Smolinski said the village anticipates this will generate about $120,000 next year.

Roselle officials also allowed the installation of red light enforcement cameras last July at the intersections of Gary Avenue and Lake Street and Roselle Road and the Elgin O'Hare, two areas with high violation and accident rates in traffic studies. Roselle stands to gain $550,000 next year from tickets that cost $100 each.

Despite new revenue, Smolinski said residents will see water and sewer fees rise by 20 cents per 1,000 gallons to balance revenues with spending, as well as a higher capital improvement surcharge of 25 cents per 1,000 gallons to help pay for a 3 million gallon holding tank that is now being completed. The tank cost $3 million to build, she said.

Road salt is another issue affecting the budget, as prices have risen from $40 per ton to $120, costing the village about $144,000 next year. Smolinski said the public works and police departments are creating a new salting and plowing strategy to conserve salt and save money.

To keep Roselle growing, village leaders have worked within their current budget to plan several improvements for 2009. Changes residents will see include:

•Repaving and stormwater improvements on Foster Avenue.

•Finishing the final block of the tax increment financing district on Irving Park Road, between Roselle Road and Prospect Street. If approved, building demolition will begin in early spring.

•Two new police squad cars.

•Enhanced communication with residents through the village's new Web site, weekly e-bulletins and its redesigned Roselle Reporter.

•Replacement of sanitary sewer infrastructure to reduce treatment costs and sewer backups.