DuPage approves $70 million borrowing package

After holding off on addressing infrastructure needs the past two years, the DuPage County Board approved Tuesday a $70 million borrowing package that addresses what supporters say are critical needs.

Meanwhile, detractors of the plan complain the final $125 million bill to be paid off during the next 30 years is too steep a price to pay when the county's economic future is uncertain.

The board split 10-7 on the vote that provides funding for flood control, convalescent center kitchen upgrades and four road projects.

Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom had championed the plan, calling for its passage because of low interest rates, federal interest subsidies and the county's debt retirement in 10 years.

"I think this is the right thing for the people of DuPage," Schillerstrom said. "And the board did the right thing in the face of substantial opposition."

A number of residents showed up at Tuesday's special meeting to oppose the borrowing plan, arguing that current economic conditions weren't right. The county has shown lackluster sales tax revenues in the past three years, and millions of dollars in income tax reimbursements have been delayed by the state.

"I can't help but think there's a lot of mismanagement going on here," said West Chicago resident Sharon Reitinger. "The county board listened today, but they didn't hear."

Board members opposing the plan had concerns about the borrowing scheme that called for most of the payback in the last 15 years of the debt cycle.

"Sometimes saying no to a bad plan is the right thing to do," said board member Jeff Redick.

Critics complained that the delayed payback added an extra $15 million to the price tag.

State Sen. Dan Cronin, who is the Republican nominee to replace Schillerstrom, opposed the plan as well.

"I think it's necessary to reconsider the totality of the plan," he said. "Because of the economy and the state's fiscal mess, we need to take a step back. This very same plan has remained unchanged for the last few years. Perhaps it's time to take a second look and determine which projects are absolutely necessary and which projects cannot be pursued right now."

But some board members took umbrage with Cronin's assessment of the situation, even those who opposed the borrowing plan, too.

"To have someone from the state come here and talk about us being irresponsible blows my mind," said board member Debra Olson, who voted against the plan.

Schillerstrom also took issue with Cronin's criticism.

"I think I've shown over the last 12 years how to run a county," he said.

Board member John Zediker was the architect of the plan's final version. He proposed spending cuts for a new jail roof, campus energy efficiencies, tree replanting along the Illinois Prairie Path, long-term infrastructure improvements and a road project in Roselle that amounted to $3.4 million in savings. He also suggested removing 30 unfilled positions from the county's employment roster that, when combined with attrition that will eventually occur because of information technology upgrades, will save the county an estimated $150 million during the next 30 years.

"That is more than enough to pay for this bond program and result in additional savings to our constituents," Zediker said. "Now compare this approach to the federal government who spent $1.6 trillion more than they took in last year. Compare that to the state of Illinois who spends $3 for every $2 we take in. Now look at the solution that we have on the table for how to pay for these projects that does not rely on new taxes or revenue enhancements, but rather the fiscal discipline to trim our budget to pay for necessary public improvements."

Measures that drew the biggest support from the public included spending $17.2 million on flood control measures for the western half of the county and $6 million to replace the convalescent center's 46-year-old kitchen that hasn't been updated since President Carter's administration.

"Sometimes our food is not quite right," said convalescent center resident Glen Davis. "Sometimes it's a little late and sometimes it gets to us cold. I just want to see if something can be done about that."

Convalescent center officials said the kitchen was built for a resident population about half the facility's current size. Schillerstrom said getting the funding for that approved was a highlight because he's been trying to get money for that project for years.

Tuesday's vote paved the way for the county's first major borrowing program since 2001 when plans for drainage, stormwater, transportation and courthouse improvements were approved. In 2008, the board borrowed $15 million for water and sewer projects, county officials said.