Two Naperville City Council members are questioning why the city doesn’t fully pay the cost of fixing residential and commercial sidewalks.
This year the city will replace sidewalks or curbs at 3,891 locations, and the $1 million cost will be divided between Naperville and the property owners whose land runs adjacent to the walk.
In neighborhoods, Naperville picks up 60% of the tab and homeowners pay 40%. The bill is split 50-50 between the city and property owners in commercial areas.
Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor said she’s always had a problem with asking property owners to pay.
“It seems like when the city provides basic services, one of the basic services is caring for the sidewalks,” Taylor said.
She dismissed concerns the city is passing the cost along to all residents, even those without sidewalks.
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“Some people use the libraries, but some people do not. These are all basic services that we all pay for,” Taylor said.
Councilman Ian Holzhauer said there are many ways taxpayers subsidize each other. “Some people have big trees in their yard and get a tremendous amount of leaf pickup service; other people don’t,” Holzhauer said.
He also said by the city paying the amount, staff no longer would need to spend their time sending notices, tracking payments and placing liens on properties when owners don’t pay their portion of the bill.
“I think the less red tape we have, the simpler things are, the better they are,” he said.
Bill Novak, director of the Transportation, Engineering and Development department, estimated city staff spent about $35,000 in labor costs last year to administer the sidewalk replacement.
Of the $900,000 spent for the program, residents picked up $352,246.
Mayor Steve Chirico said the system works well and resources are available to people who are in low- to moderate-income situations who might not be able to afford their portion.
“Most of Naperville can afford to keep their sidewalks in a safe condition, with the assistance of the contribution from the city,” Chirico said.
Novak said people who say they can’t afford their portion are referred to the social service grant program.
“I don’t think any have taken us up on it,” Novak said.
Once residents hear what the limits are, they realize they can afford it, he said.
But there always are several who don’t pay, he added.
“They’re not happy about it, complain about it. But we make it through each year, and it’s just something that’s part of the process,” Novak said.
Councilwoman Patty Gustin said she’s concerned about the rising inflationary costs and the effect it’s going to have on the city’s budget.
If the city pays 100%, the budget will have to increase or fewer projects will be implemented each year, Gustin said.
A city memo showed comparable cities like Overland Park, Kansas, and Fort Collins, Colorado, fully fund sidewalk replacement as does Schaumburg and Evanston.
Neighboring Aurora splits the cost 50-50 with residents.