Villa Park considers prosecuting DUI cases to balance budget

It appears that Villa Park will join several nearby communities in prosecuting some of its own DUI cases later this year.

Village leaders are listing the idea as one of several possible initiatives to help balance Villa Park's proposed $40.3 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

If trustees decide later this spring that the village should prosecute DUI cases, it would involve only first-time offenders. Still, the move could generate an estimated $150,000 in annual revenue for the village.

Another $150,000 in extra revenue could be raised if the village chooses to handle the prosecution of parking tickets and other non-moving violations. A final vote on that measure could happen as early as June.

Villa Park leaders also are eyeing the possibility of increasing police fines and administrative towing fees. If adopted, the idea could add an estimated $440,000 to the village's coffers.

"This was a difficult year to balance the budget," said Robert Niemann, Villa Park's acting village manager.

"We've been conservative," he said. "We don't want to reduce our level of services or eliminate positions."

August storms, which cost nearly $250,000 to clean up, as well as unusually heavy snowfalls over the winter and major crimes that required a lot of overtime drew down reserves, Niemann said.

All departments are proposing nearly zero-growth spending plans for the coming year.

Most of the roughly 8 percent increase over this past year's budget is a result of salaries and benefits.

The spending plan is subject to change. Some of the revenues and affiliated expenses rely on the village getting loans, Finance Director Eric Dubrowski said.

If the non-referendum loans don't come through, the projects will be postponed, Dubrowski said. For example, the village hopes to borrow $2.2 million to pay for some projects along North Avenue.

Officials also have made several cuts and postponed some projects to balance the budget. For example, about $420,000 was saved by delaying the hiring of six firefighter/paramedics.

Other budget highlights include:

• Buying two thermal-imaging cameras for the fire department.

• Improving Twin Lakes Park and enhancing the skate park.

• Constructing an 8,000-square-foot indoor parking garage for employees.

• Relocating the community development department to a former fire station at a cost of $300,000.

• Replacing of some police, public works and parks department vehicles at a cost of $323,000.

A public forum to discuss the proposed spending plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at village hall, 20 S. Ardmore Ave.