The Evanston City Council is in the process out outlining its 2024 budget while tackling revenue deficits and increased staffing needs among other issues.
The budget, which currently sits at more than $449 million, was outlined during an Oct. 16 meeting. This $51.8 million increase from the 2023 budget is in part due to new staffing positions, an increase in capital improvement plan expenses and the water intake project, according to a city presentation, resulting in a roughly $14 million projected revenue deficit.
Evanston’s prospective 2024 budget deficit raised alarms for Mayor Daniel Biss who urged city staff to proceed with “restraint and caution” and advised avoiding any long-term financial challenges when embarking on new projects or expansions.
“We have to take long-term challenges seriously but (we should also be aware that) any expansions we enable now can become a permanent expenditure down the road,” Biss said.
Increasing resident fees is one way to address a potential revenue deficit. City Council is considering increasing the property tax levy by 7.8%, which is roughly $156 more per year for a $400,000 home, to cover the 30% increase in city staff wages from 2023, according to the presentation. City staff is also proposing a 17.55% water rate increase to cover water main and lead service line replacement costs. The presentation shows the average water bill increasing by $11.66 per bimonthly bill if the rate increase is approved.
Solid waste rates would also increase by 7.5% and ambulance rates would increase by $500 per transport if approved, according to the presentation.
“We can hardly talk about how we care about affordable housing, unhoused families and those barely being able to afford to stay in Evanston while throwing down (these tax and utility fee increases),” resident Tisha Connolly said during public comment. “The list goes on in terms of what (the hardships) of living in Evanston could be for someone who is living with financial restraints.”
There are roughly 22 new staff positions listed in the budget creating the 30% wage increase. These positions include an equity professional learning specialist, police commander, landscape architect, cultural arts coordinator, tree preservation coordinator and a disease intervention specialist.
Only about 16 of these positions are to be funded by the General Fund while the remaining positions are covered by the water, solid waste, sewer and library-based funds.
Evanston earlier this year decided to fully fund its police and fire pensions to avoid reaping the consequences of potential debt, which was spearheaded by Councilmember Clare Kelly. This added roughly 3.4% to the 2024 budget, according to a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Hitesh Desai.
Many Evanston residents told City County they wanted additional funding for environmental sustainability issues despite the prospect of a revenue deficit.
“If we’re actually going to stop climate change, everybody has to do everything they can today,” resident Jessy Bradish said. “We’re going to be hand-holding our citizens. We’re going to be hand-holding our businesses. We’re going to be paying for them to do the (sustainability) retrofits because that’s what has to happen.”
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Evanston’s 2024 budgeting process must conclude before Dec. 31. There are several budget town halls scheduled with one in Spanish on Oct. 26 and another in English on Nov. 2, according to the budgeting calendar. Other budgeting discussions include ward meetings throughout October and November and the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing on Nov. 6. The complete budgeting calendar can be found on the budget page of the city’s website.
“This is just the beginning … the next six weeks (offer) plenty of opportunity to voice your concerns, opinion or input … to weigh in on the 2024 budget,” Desai said.
Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.