Cash-strapped Naperville starts hiring freeze

The city of Naperville has instituted a hiring freeze to address the estimated $5.1 million hole in its budget.

The city council approved the measure at the suggestion of Councilman James Boyajian, who says he does not want to see the city spend at a deficit to make up the shortfall.

"It made no sense to me to be in a position of hiring staff in the city if potentially one of the things we have to consider is workforce reduction to balance the budget," he said.

He said that reduction would not necessarily mean layoffs, but could take the form of leaving some vacant positions open.

The budget shortfall is due in large part to decline in revenues, namely real estate transfer taxes and sales taxes, according to City Manager Pro Tem Robert Marshall.

He said said the city had already begun to look for ways to cut costs even before the council's orders.

"We as staff take this budget shortfall very seriously and are working very hard in our departments to come up with ways to implement cost savings measures to balance our budget," Marshall said.

The city had put 27 positions on hold and eliminated three positions through attrition since January and according to Marshall.

The city is in the process of filling three positions - fire chief, city auditor and video production specialist. If the city administration deems it necessary to fill these or any other positions during the freeze it will have to ask the city council's permission.

Marshall expects to ask the city council for its OK Oct. 7 to fill the fire chief vacancy. The city is interviewing seven candidates and hopes to name a new chief by Nov. 1. Former Chief John Wu left the post abruptly in April.

Other crucial police and fire positions have been filled throughout the year. Boyajian said while the city will have to make careful decisions about filling these public safety vacancies in the future that does not mean residents will be put at risk.

The city is also in the process of looking for a permanent city manager to fill the spot vacated by Peter Burchard, who resigned last December. Boyajian said that process will continue and he hopes the council will conduct interviews later this fall.

Hiring freezes are not uncommon among suburban governments. The city of Aurora and Kane County instituted their own freezes earlier this month.

Naperville officials will continue to discuss budget issues, including employee compensation at a workshop at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St.