Gurnee mayoral candidates address financial issues

Gurnee's three mayoral candidates all have concerns about village finances, but offer different ideas on how to generate more revenue or save cash.

Incumbent Kristina Kovarik is being challenged by Trustee Greg Garner and resident Anthony "Tony" Maniscalco. Voters will make their selection April 7.

Maniscalco, 50, who made an unsuccessful attempt to win a trustee seat in 2005, said he's worried about Gurnee's sales tax revenue declining. More than 70 percent of Gurnee's general fund is fueled by sales tax.

Sales tax receipts could be boosted if a concerted effort was made to lure high-end clothiers and restaurants to Gurnee, said Maniscalco. In addition, Maniscalco said he'd lead an effort to eliminate Gurnee's 1 percent food and beverage tax charged at restaurants.

"I think the village would make more (overall sales tax) by assisting the businesses in the community," Maniscalco said.

Kovarik, 51, said the food and beverage tax enacted during her tenure as mayor has helped the village weather a decline in retail sales. She said Gurnee should look at other ways to increase income, such as fines levied for various violations.

"I'm not worried about raising fees on people who are breaking the law," said Kovarik, who topped Donald Rudny to become mayor in 2005.

Garner, 51, said he'd push for development on Grand Avenue east of Route 41 and other areas that are underperforming financially. He said he's also concerned about the village's dependence on Gurnee Mills for sales tax revenue.

"Gurnee Mills is a dinosaur," Garner said. "It's an '80s mall that happens to have the best location not only in Lake County, but in the Midwest."

As for potential cost-cutting, Maniscalco pointed to employee travel to out-of-town conventions and the law firm prosecuting traffic cases for the village.

Garner singled out consulting contracts and conventions as areas that can be trimmed. He said Gurnee has many volunteers on village committees who are qualified to provide expertise instead of paid consultants.

Kovarik said employee salaries are the biggest place where the village can save money. She also said it would be worth exploring the potential savings from having village departments work together to procure commodities.