Mayor: Not business-as-usual in Naperville
Naperville Mayor George Pradel skipped his usual tuxedo and boisterous proclamations Monday as he delivered his 15th annual State of the City address.
"This is not a business-as-usual time for the city," Pradel said. "This will not be a business-as-usual speech."
Pradel told the crowd gathered for a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon that the city has not been immune to economic troubles. It faced an $11 million budget deficit going into the current fiscal year and what was once a $14.1 million hole in the coming budget.
Just weeks ago, the city eliminated 49 employee positions - 22 that were filled and 27 that were vacant.
"These cuts were made after careful consideration and deliberation by the city and were extremely difficult decisions to make," Pradel said. "None of us wanted to do this and we spent a lot of time suffering over it."
The cuts included 10 sworn police positions, prompting dozens of officers and their supporters to fill city council chambers less than a week ago in protest. Pradel on Monday stressed the personnel cuts will not affect public safety.
Other cuts the city is making include reducing the hours of the police department front desk, reduced frequency of meter readings, suspending the Ogden Avenue corridor grant program and closing the Community Connection satellite service center.
"In the end, we will emerge a stronger, more efficient organization and continue to be one of the safest cities in the nation," Pradel said.
On the revenue side, the council is discussing increasing the motor fuel tax and refuse collection fees. But Pradel reiterated the council's desire not to increase the property tax rate.
One of the year's biggest disappointments, Pradel said, was the city's legal battle with Councilman Richard Furstenau, who filed a civil rights lawsuit in connection to a 2006 incident in which he was accused of shoving a police officer but later acquitted. Furstenau dropped the suit and the city agreed not to try to recoup more than $1 million in legal fees.
While most of Monday's speech was on the serious side, Pradel still cracked a few jokes and touted new businesses and developments such as the Delta Dental office building, Hollywood Palms Cinema, the Apple Store, iMed campus off 75th Street and North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center as well as its combined Residential Hall and Recreation Center.
Naperville also celebrated in 2009 when it learned its long-awaited Route 59 widening project had received state funding. The city also is preparing to open its 10th fire station on Feb. 9.
Pradel highlighted the city's green initiatives including online payment of utility bills, the purchase of hybrid vehicles and the Smart Grid energy project.
John Puscheck, new chairman of the chamber's board of directors, applauded Pradel for his candor Monday.
"At times like this it's enlightening to have a mayor and city council that's willing to open everything up to the business community and the rest of the members of the community to show them they're working hard to make tough decisions," he said.
After the speech, Pradel tried something new - a question-and-answer session with city and chamber leaders.
Only one audience member, Don Wehrli, took advantage, calling for more green space in Central Park.