INSIDE!
2012 Last Minute Gift Guide!
www.jolietbugle.com
NEWS County Board commissioners split board leadership
SPORTS Angels open ESCC 2-0
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Our Village, Our News
COUNCIL APPROVES
BALANCED BUDGET City coffers still lack funds to increase staffing levels
By Jonathan Samples Staff Reporter
T
he City Council unanimously approved a $280.9 million annual budget Dec. 4, but several council members raised concerns about what they perceived as the city’s lack of long-term financial planning. “We have a balanced budget, and that I’m happy for,” Councilman Larry Hug said.“We don’t have a balanced staff or balanced services yet. We’re still way down. We still have a lot to do.” Hug’s comments were in reference to funds allocated for the Joliet Area Historical Museum in the face of low staffing levels in the Public Works Department and Police Department, where the city is currently down approximately 50 officers. The 2013 annual budget allocates funds to hire 10 additional police officers, and City Manager Tom Thanas said funding the museum is necessary for it to maintain its status in the community.
However, Thanas agrees that staffing and longterm planning are still issues. “I can assure you the police chief, the fire chief and all of the department heads would come in here and tell you that we’re not satisfied with our staffing levels, and we’re not satisfied with our inability to provide service at a higher level,” he said. “What this is is a oneyear budget that gets us through the year in a balanced manner.” Hug also stressed a need to plan for any potential changes in gaming revenues that could result from a statewide gaming expansion bill, suggesting the need for the city to develop a long-term financial plan. Thanas agreed with the need to develop a longterm plan,but said any losses to gaming revenue are contingent upon a bill gaining enough legislative See BUDGET, page 2
DECEMBER 12, 2012
Vol. 5 No. 15