Lombard considers hiring lobbyist
As Lombard trustees reviewed proposed expenses in the village's budget Wednesday night, they also focused on how much money the village will bring in from state and federal earmarks, at least.
The village expects $800,000 from the state to pay for Main Street road construction and other infrastructure improvements, along with other amounts set aside by local lawmakers. But to ensure those funds come through instead of getting caught in the state's backlog of unpaid bills some trustees suggested hiring a lobbyist.
“It is prudent to have a lobbyist on board,” trustee Laura Fitzpatrick said.
Village Manager David Hulseberg said he had not included funds for a lobbyist in the next fiscal year's budget, but he has cash available in this year's budget to hire a lobbying company for two months at $4,000 a month.
“I think it may be advantageous to retain a lobbyist for two months,” Hulseberg said.
Trustee Zachary Wilson, chairman of the finance committee, asked what lobbying efforts are done by other organizations, such as the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, saying it may not be necessary for the village to pay to double those efforts. Wilson has said he is always looking for ways to cut village spending.
But Village President William Mueller said having Lombard represented in Springfield when the new legislative session begins could be key to ensuring state funding materializes.
“I think it's going to be very important that we have some representation in Springfield, whether it's a lobbyist or us personally,” Mueller said. “They're going into some trying times down there and they're talking about taking money away from us.”
If Hulseberg moves forward with the idea of hiring a lobbyist, he said he will authorize the hiring of Roger C. Marquardt & Company, with offices in Springfield and Wheaton, for January and February 2011.
Budget discussions Wednesday night also turned to ways to spend less on the Lombard Historical Society and to the village's finance and community development departments.
Hulseberg proposed the village take over maintenance costs for properties managed by the historical society, including the Sheldon Peck Homestead, and fund the rest of the society's activities with a grant that will decrease each year. Hulseberg said decreasing grant funding will encourage the society to take a more active role in underwriting its costs.
Trustees will continue budget discussions Jan. 4, with a review of police, fire and public works budgets.