Rolling Meadows continues quest for cuts

After accepting $284,000 in fire union concessions discussed in closed session, Rolling Meadows city officials resumed conversations on cutting costs from the 2011 proposed budget including costs of the village newsletter, health care for nonunion employees and animal control.

Fifth Ward Alderman Glenn Adams proposed a $1 to $2 fee per household to go toward the efforts of local humane societies working with the city to spay, neuter, microchip and release stray dogs and cats in the village. Currently, volunteers have mostly been absorbing the costs.

Currently, if a stray dog or a feral cat is found and trapped in the city, it is held for seven days, at the cost of the city. This gives owners a chance to pick their pet up. After seven days, it is spayed or neutered, microchipped then given to the humane society in the hope of being adopted. Adams said about 12 dogs and 50 cats are taken in a year by the city. The proposed $1 to $2 fee would be added to the city's portion of the proposed property tax increase.

First Ward Alderman John Pitzaferro was vehemently against the thought of spending money on animals when so many people are in need.

“This is the city's money, this is the residents' (money). I care about people who are starving... maybe we should add to that instead of giving it to the cats,” he said.

Seventh Ward Alderman Jim Larsen suggested that the city set up a charity for people who have a love for animals and may want to donate, and draw on volunteerism in the community instead of budget dollars.

“I love my dog, but I don't know if the guy down the street loves my dog,” Larsen said.

The council majority eventually put the possible fee back into the proposed budget.

City officials also discussed a possible gasoline tax to help offset the increase in property tax.

The discussion proposed a three-cent per gallon gasoline tax, which would effectively reduce the city's portion of the property tax increase from 12.8 percent to 8.9 percent. The increase would save the average household about $30 per year on their property tax bill, officials said.

The council agreed to discuss the gasoline tax proposal at its next meeting.

Citing the need to cut costs and the growing trend of increasing employees' contribution to health care costs, city officials weighed the pros and cons of raising nonunion employees' health care costs about three percent after giving them a one percent raise in pay.

“You give them one percent and take away three (percent raise in health-care costs)? I don't think that's right, Third Ward Alderman Larry Buske said.

The council will meet again next Tuesday to continue its budget talks.