Carpentersville won't fund Ride in Kane for seniors

The down economy is forcing local municipalities to make tough decisions as they head into the budget season with fewer sales tax dollars and spiking costs.

There are some fiscally sound decisions that make sense - decisions that mean a program or a project is scaled back.

West Dundee's decision to hold off on completely rebuilding Boncosky Road, for example, makes sense. The project has an estimated price tag well over $1 million. For now, spot patching is all the village can fit into its budget.

Then there are choices that baffle any logical person. One such decision was made by four of the seven Carpentersville board members who voted against contributing to the Dundee Township's Ride in Kane program. Trustees Paul Humpfer, Judy Sigwalt, Kay Teeter and Ed Ritter voted no.

The service provides transportation for low income, disabled and elderly residents of Dundee Township villages. While it is not a free service, those users receive discounted rides thanks to federal grants and local contributions. Patrons pay $3 for the first 10 miles and $1.50 per mile after that. It's much cheaper than a taxi and more efficient than regular public transportation.

At its last board meeting, a majority of Carpentersville trustees denied the township's request for $13,412, the village's share of $58,000 needed to match a $90,000 federal grant. A $32,000 subsidy through Pace helped the township offset part of the match.

Each village in the township was asked to contribute an amount based on size. The township is responsible for almost half of the amount - $27,854 or almost 49 percent.

East Dundee was asked to contribute about $13,400. While staff members included the amount in its preliminary budget, the village board will not make a decision until after the village's budget hearing on March 21. Still, board members seemed in favor of the program and helping out.

Sleepy Hollow has agreed to pay $4,242 and East Dundee approved its $4,414 share.

But trustees in Carpentersville seem to think that the township is "triple-dipping" because of mismanagement, said Village President Bill Sarto, one of the members to approve the contribution. Trustees who voted it down said the program should be funded by the township and not the villages.

The program is funded by grants: the more money the township can raise, the more money the federal government will kick in. It is a 1:1 match. That means Carpentersville's refusal to contribute almost $13,500 actually amounts to almost $27,000 worth of rides that the service cannot provide residents who need to get to work, the grocery store or the doctor.

Carpentersville Audit and Finance Commission member Sherry Dobson told me that the commission recommended the village pay its share, but three members voted no.

Even though Carpentersville trustees refused, residents will continue to receive the service.

Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney will attempt to explain the township's position and the program to Carpentersville trustees on Tuesday in hopes that they will reconsider and join the club.

As many people have said, this is a time when residents and a community could use a program like Ride in Kane.