Des Plaines begins talks on $120 million budget

Des Plaines aldermen Monday night debated new positions, how much to spend on special events and overtime costs as they took their first crack at a proposed $120.3 million spending plan for next year.

Aldermen also were asked to take a close look at how to bolster revenues, including fee and tax increases, as they eye plans to add new fire stations and build a new police headquarters. Proposals call for increasing the telecommunications tax from 3 percent to 6 percent, and creating a new sewer fee.

Officials expect to decide whether to proceed with the major projects on Nov. 13. According to estimates, the project will cost taxpayers at least $88 million over more than 25 years.

At the first meeting on the spending proposal Monday, 3rd Ward Alderman Laura Murphy immediately raised questions about spending $112,000 to add a human resources director.

She suggested looking at privatizing some of the department's duties to save the city the cost of providing benefits for a new department head.

Jason Bajor is working as the head of human resources, and as acting city manager as Des Plaines searches for a new manager.

The proposed budget also includes a plan to spend $125,000 to add an information technology director.

A plan to dole out $50,000 to the city's special events commission, which puts on the annual New Year's Eve celebration and Taste of Des Plaines, raised some eyebrows on the council.

Fourth Ward Alderman Jean Higgason questioned giving a "blanket amount" to the commission of volunteers. Second Ward Alderman Marty Moylan said the amount given to the commission should be reviewed every year.

City officials already have decided the commission needs more accounting, forcing it to sell tickets for liquor sales at future events.

Higgason raised further concerns about using so much taxpayer money for events like the New Year's Eve event, which she says draws so many people from other towns.

"I always have a problem using taxpayers' money for nontaxpayers," Higgason said.

Aldermen also questioned Deputy Fire Chief Art Zern, who's serving as acting chief while Chief Randy Jaeger is on medical leave after brain surgery, about overtime costs.

Nearly $600,000 is budgeted for overtime costs next year. Zern said the department is working on reducing these costs.

Police Chief Jim Prandini has proposed many changes for next year, including closing the Police Neighborhood Resource Center. A grant the city won to open the center has run out. Keeping it open would cost the city about $40,000, and that's not worth it, he said. Community programs have dwindled there.

"What it is essentially is a bill payment center," Prandini said.

The council will continue discussing the proposed budget on Nov. 7.