Pradel says Naperville’s future looking bright

Increased sales tax revenues and building permits have Naperville’s future looking significantly brighter than this time last year, Mayor George Pradel said Monday, but the city needs to keep its momentum.

Pradel delivered his 17th annual state of the City address at the newly renovated Chicago Naperville Marriott Hotel at 1801 Naper Blvd., which is scheduled to reopen April 1 on the city’s north side.

“The state of the city is strong because we value working together,” Pradel said. “By combining our talents, resources and dollars, we can continue to provide our residents and businesses with exceptional levels of service.

“Times are tough, but we’ll make it by working together. And in 2012 we’ll find even greater success by renewing our commitment to stand together and make our community great.”

The impetus for this year’s speech, he said, was the major increase the city realized in sales tax revenue as staff eliminated a projected $11.2 million budget gap. The $29 million in sales tax collected in 2011 was the highest since 2007.

“We’re in great shape. We really are,” Pradel said. “We’ve got a fully balanced budget and we can tell the community that there will be no layoffs or interruption in services.”

In addition to the positive news on the retail front, Pradel highlighted several other accomplishments, including the implementation of the smart grid, which he says will hold electricity rates steady for more than a year, and the launch of two interactive online maps that allow residents to track the city’s leaf collection and snow removal efforts in near real time. Pradel was even able to throw a positive spin on coming increases in water and wastewater rates.

“Naperville will still have the lowest rates around because we do everything to keep our costs down,” he said.

Turning an eye toward 2012, Pradel said he is excited about several projects, including the renovation of Route 59 from I-88 south to Aurora Avenue and the Naperville Bank and Trust’s renovation of the historic post office at Franklin and Washington streets that will result in the bank and post office sharing the location.

He also threw in a mention of the scheduled opening of the new Standard Market at the former Franks Nursery and Crafts site on Ogden Avenue and the new Fiamme Pizzeria set to open at the former Union 76 gas station at 19 N. Washington.

Attendees said they were pleased Pradel’s address was significantly more upbeat than recent years when layoffs and budget woes took center stage.

“I’m glad things are looking up and there are so many things to look forward to,” said former city council member and current state Rep. Darlene Senger.

Councilwoman Judith Brodhead agreed.

“We remember what last year’s address was like,” she said. “Thankfully this year’s was nothing like that.”