DES PLAINES
Budget cushion may drop by $2.6 million
The budget cushion in Des Plaines is expected to drop to $5.5 million next year — down $2.6 million from what was projected for 2007 — unless aldermen decide to cut services or raise taxes and fees.
Aldermen got their first look Monday at a proposed 2008 budget that calls for $55.9 million in general-fund spending and a $5.5 million surplus, which would be too small a cushion for emergencies, officials said.
Acting City Manager Jason Bajor said the projected surplus was about 10 percent of anticipated spending, instead of the preferred 12 percent. The projected surplus for this year had been $8.1 million.
Bajor said aldermen could increase city hotel or gasoline taxes or raise the cost of vehicle stickers.
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The other options are to cut services or live with a lower cushion, he said.
The lower surplus for next year was blamed in part on an unexpected payout of $2.4 million this summer for overtime and sandbags as a result of flooding along the Des Plaines River, Bajor said.
Also to blame were lower than expected revenues from ambulance fees, vehicle impoundment fines and sales taxes, he said.
Budget discussions are expected to continue until a tax levy is adopted Dec. 19.
Mark Shuman
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ELGIN
Retired fire chief to resume his post
A former Elgin fire chief has come out of retirement to lead the city’s 132-member department, an Elgin spokeswoman said Tuesday.
After working for two months as the department’s interim head, Jack Henrici, 69, was named fire chief with an annual salary of $142,050, said city spokeswoman Sue Olafson. Henrici replaces Fire Chief Mike Falese, who stepped down in August.
Henrici, a 46-year veteran of firefighting, was the Elgin fire chief from 1986 until he retired in 2003. Since then, he has worked as an interim chief in other communities, including Homewood.
“He is a professional who brings a great sense of stability to the department,” City Manager Femi Folarin said.
Mark Shuman
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ROLLING MEADOWS
Cops to use cameras in traffic violations
Rolling Meadows is expected next year to join the Chicago-area communities that use cameras to record traffic violations at major intersections.
The cameras likely will begin operating in January, said Police Chief Steven Williams. The City Council voted 7-0 last week to approve plans to enter into an agreement with RedSpeed Illinois of Lombard.
Williams said 60 potential locations have been identified as “problem intersections,” including the intersection of Algonquin and Golf Roads. He said he does not yet know how many cameras will be installed and which intersections will be selected.
The suburb earlier this year began a pilot program using police surveillance cameras at a neighborhood resource center.
Matt Rogina