Key numbers missing in Elgin budget debate
With a multimillion dollar deficit staring them down, Elgin City Council members have a four-hour retreat scheduled for Wednesday to plan for 2010 and beyond.
The city is on pace to collect at least $3 million less than it planned to spend this year.
But don't look for any significant action - at least in terms of specific budget cuts that need to be enacted by Dec. 31 - to take place.
City council members as of Monday afternoon had not received information or "decision packages" from department heads and senior staff members on what they need for 2010 and what expenses - including what personnel, if any - should be cut this year and the next.
Councilman Richard Dunne said he was "frustrated" at the lack of information because he was told it would sent by Sept. 22 but the city staff later reneged on that promise.
"We've got no update, no nothing," he said.
Dunne said he would like to see the city put some of the capital projects that are funded by casino revenues on hold and use that money to help balance the budget.
"I don't think we have a revenue problem, I think we have a spending problem. We need to adjust our spending," he said.
Councilman David Kaptain said without the decision packages - in effect, proposals from department heads - ahead of the workshop, it will be impossible for him to take action.
He said he needs time to research, digest and consider all the information, especially before deciding on more layoffs, which is an option on the table.
"Don't put us under a strain. Don't tell me we have to get this done in six or seven days. I'm not buying that. These are serious decisions," Kaptain said.
Neither Sean Stegall, the city manager, or Jim Nowicki, the city's finance director, could be reached for comment Monday.
The workshop is from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hawthorn Hills Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin.
The city has had layoffs, offered early retirement to workers, increased fees and cut spending on some festivals in an effort to balance the budget.