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Politics & Government

Downers Grove Signs Off on $139.1M Budget

Despite dissension among council members regarding storm water utility fees, a budget is in place for 2014.

The fiscal year 2014, nearly $140 million Downers Grove budget was approved 5-1 at a Nov. 19 Village Council meeting, with storm water utility fees still stirring up dissension. 

Village Manager David Fieldman outlined a summary in the budget memo:

  • The Village’s General Fund is financially sound and sustainable, with expenses at $43.57 million and revenues of $43.79 million.
  • The proposed budget calls for an increase in the fund balance in the Risk Management Fund and an expansion of the uses of this fund to include paying for unanticipated costs of emergency and disaster responses.
  • The Village will continue to invest in improving and maintaining its public infrastructure system including streets, sidewalks, and the storm water and water systems. The FY14 Budget includes a $20.5 million investment in streets, sidewalks and the water system.
  • Due to several factors including efficiencies in the maintenance of the water system, the budget calls for lower-than-planned water rate increases, while still maintaining the appropriate funding for capital improvements, operations and maintenance.

The Village Commissioners as well as the Mayor praised the soundness of the 2014 budget.

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“This budget has everything we need in 2014 and beyond. Most of the conversation has been about one item, that's storm water rates and fees,” said Commissioner Geoff Neustadt. “I think that's a great indicator of where this village is financially, and it's a great indicator of where we're going to be in 2014 financially. This budget is probably one of the best budgets out there compared to other municipalities in the area.”

Commissioner David Olsen voted yes on the budget but said he still didn't like the increase in the storm water fee.

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“I am still uncomfortable with a 6.4-percent increase in the storm water fee. However, what we're doing tonight is adopting a budget which sets a maximum in each fund. We are not adopting a leveled storm water fee in this vote,” he said.

The sole dissenting vote belonged to Commissioner Bob Barnett, who said the storm water utility structure was bad policy.

“That's the one subject where I still have a lot of dissent,” he said. “What I've seen so far in the implementation of what I voted on in 2013 is something I don't approve of and I can't continue to support it.”

Barnett did agree that the council is acting in the best interest of the public.

“The good news is, this council shares all the same goals that our staff does and our public does, which is high quality construction, sustainability, predictability and improvements in the equity of the cost of government, and reducing the burden on residents. Those are worthy goals,” said Barnett.

Mayor Martin Tully praised the ability of the council to construct a tight 2014 budget.

“By necessity, almost every long range plan is a child of compromise, discussion and everyone realizing they're not going to get everything they want,” he said.

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