Elmhurst Officials Eye Ways To Avoid Tax Hikes

Elmhurst IL

04 December, 2020

1:05 PM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — Last week, Elmhurst Alderwoman Noel Talluto called the city's budget for next year unacceptable, saying it would put the city on the path toward higher taxes. She promised to present ideas to reverse course, and the agenda for Monday's City Council meeting indicates she is doing just that. At the meeting, the council is expected to vote on sending six issues to committees for consideration of ways to curtail costs. Talluto is behind all the proposals for referrals to committees, except for the review of the city's real estate. Other aldermen involved in various parts of the effort are Bob Dunn, Dannee Polomsky, Jim Kennedy, Marti Deuter, Brian Cahill, Michael Honquest, Tina Park, Mike Brennan and Jennifer Veremis. Together, they make up 10 of the council's 13 members, with a 14th position vacant. The three aldermen who have publicly expressed interest in running for mayor in April — Scott Levin, Mark Mulliner and Michael Bram — are not listed as part of the effort. Mayor Steve Morley has indicated he is not seeking a third term. Here are areas that the aldermen want to review: Credit card convenience fees: Elmhurst pays about $250,000 in credit card fees each year, according to city documents. "This number is growing as more people use credit cards to pay for a number of city fees, including permits and registration," a memo from aldermen says. They said some towns, utilities and business associations require credit card holders to pay convenience fees to cover the costs, suggesting the city do the same. Library: The library is a separate entity with its own board, but it is considered an extension of the city. Aldermen are proposing an examination to determine where the library and city can streamline offerings and minimize overlap.Staffing: The city enacted a hiring freeze shortly after the pandemic began. A memo from aldermen says that "before we collectively start replacing all the vacant positions, we feel it is important to review the service level and evaluate any efficiencies we can gain in consolidation of positions, possible elimination of positions, utilization of contract services, and continuing the hiring freeze for certain positions where it makes both fiscal and operational sense."Real estate: Because of pressures such as the pandemic and increasing pension liabilities, aldermen are proposing a review of the city's real estate assets and consideration of options such as selling properties. This is especially relevant as the city looks at employees working remotely long-term, a memo from aldermen says.Fire and EMS calls: Aldermen are requesting an examination of fire and emergency medical service calls. The city, they said, should look at ways to cut costs and increase income as it explores different ways to deliver services. They said the goal should be to meet or exceed current standards. Lawyers: The city is budgeting nearly $900,000 for lawyers next year. A couple of aldermen are proposing a review of legal spending.