'Highly Unusual' Increase In Elmhurst's Staff

Elmhurst IL

17 November, 2021

6:19 PM

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ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council on Monday voted to increase the size of the wastewater treat plant's staff by 3½ positions, which one member said would ultimately affect water and sewer rates. Alderman Mike Brennan said the employees are primarily focused on treatment plant issues, but also deal with water production and stormwater. He said the plant is understaffed. He said the city found that wastewater treatment plants in Naperville and Downers Grove have 21 and 20 employees, respectively. Elmhurst, meanwhile, has 15½ positions, and those employees have functions outside wastewater, he said. "Increasing the staff will extend the life of our assets and will be budget neutral to the operating budget as we're proposing to reduce targeted consulting services aligned with this department," Brennan said. Alderwoman Noel Talluto said she supported the increase in employees. But she said the added positions would impact water and sewer rates in later years, when the consulting costs are not anticipated. "It is the right thing to do, but it is not free," she said. Alderman Bob Dunn said it was "highly unusual" to add 3½ positions to the roster. He noted the City Council has held long, drawn-out discussions when considering adding just one position, such as a part-time communications assistant. In his research, he said he found that the plant's staff was behind by about four months of maintenance work, so he said he could see justification for the increase. "We want to keep that plant running properly," Dunn said. The City Council voted unanimously for the increase. Alderman Brian Cahill was absent.