Gurnee budget talks resume Monday
Gurnee village board members on Monday night are scheduled to hear to presentations from department heads about expenditures in a $50 million budget proposed for 2011-12.
Representatives from police, fire and other departments annually make presentations on their sections of the budget before it goes to a vote. Elected officials will have a chance to offer suggestions, compliments or criticism.
Police and fire operations would receive major chunks of the proposed budget.
About $12.2 million would go toward the police department. Salaries and wages are responsible for a 6 percent increase over the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Documents show Gurnee intends to continue with 69 sworn officers. Red-light camera violation fee revenue would allow for a 13 percent increase in proposed spending on professional services, from $627,600 to $710,500.
About $8.2 million is earmarked for the fire department. Personnel costs account for a roughly 4 percent hike in the department’s request for 2011-12.
“This budget includes funding which keeps public safety at the forefront of village operations, while continuing to make strategic reinvestments in our infrastructure,” Village Administrator James Hayner wrote in his budget overview.
Gurnee plans to spend $5.1 million on a capital improvement program, up about $775,000 from the current budget. Tri-State Parkway, Heather Ridge Drive and Fuller Road are among the busy collector streets targeted for rehabilitation.
The 2011-12 proposed budget is up from the previous $47 million spending plan. The municipal budget year runs from May 1 to April 30.
Monday’s budget presentation is set for 6:30 p.m. at village hall, 325 N. O’Plaine Road.
Officials have scheduled other budget hearings for March 21 and 28. The document will be up for final village board approval April 4.