DuPage Water Commission budget takes some heat

New cars, office furniture and employee raises are among the items drawing criticism in the upcoming budget for the embattled DuPage Water Commission.

This comes despite assurances from water commission General Manager Bob Martin that the coming year's proposed budget calls for decreased spending.

But Commissioner Jim Zay complained that the budget calls for $10 million in "additional spending."

In an 85-page response to all of the commissioners budget questions, Martin insists that most of the requested spending was put off last year and is necessary for operations.

But Zay isn't buying it.

"I don't think 2004 and 2006 vehicles are worth trading in at this time if it's going to cost us $180,000," he said.

When asked by the Daily Herald about the budget, Martin directed a reporter to the response report he created for the commission. In that report, he indicates the vehicles were cut from last year's budget and further use will cause depreciated resale value.

But Zay isn't alone in his criticism of the proposed budget. Commissioner Liz Chaplin suggests several places where Martin could trim, including the proposed 1 percent raises scheduled for employees making less than $100,000. Cutting that expense would save about $21,700 next year. Her suggestion to cut office furniture would save about $59,000. She also questioned expenses for coffee and flowers.

Three other commissioners submitted questions and concerns to Martin over the proposed budget, his report indicates.

The commissioners are looking to pinch pennies after it was discovered last year that financial reporting mismanagement led to the accidental spending of some $19 million from the commission's reserve funds. The financial administrator was forced to resign and a forensic audit is being conducted to determine how the situation occurred. Meanwhile, the district was forced to take out a $30 million loan and the current budget calls for another $40 million loan in order to pay bills and pay off more than $50 million in construction debt.

Martin's relationship with the commission has been icy ever since.

"My point in all this is there is spending going on that shouldn't occur during good times," Chaplin said. "But right now, taxpayers are struggling and going to food banks to feed their kids. What is this staff thinking?"

The commission must approve the budget before the new fiscal year begins May 1.