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3-pointers deliver a win for Dixon
SVM ATHLETES OFSPORTS, THE WEEK B3
GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, December 15, 2015
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
STERLING | TAX INCREASE
City: Cuts would hurt residents Fire protection, snow removal among services that could face budget reductions BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
STERLING – The city’s fire chief said that if Sterling tries to cut its way to a balanced budget, there will be “grave consequences,” and he wasn’t alone in his grim assessment. Other officials weighed in during a marathon meeting that lasted more than 3.5 hours Monday night. Their consensus? You can’t move forward by going backward, and backward would be trying to dig out of a deficit by slicing city services –
services that could include fire protection and snow removal. The Sterling City Council spent a large chunk of Monday night trying to figure out how to balance the fiscal year 201617 budget. To do so, the council has to come up with a way to tip the scales to the city’s favor to the tune of just under $1.5 million. The city has proposed a property tax increase and a new utilities tax to shore up the city’s bottom line – a proposal that was met with resistance and frustration by members of the public who spoke out at a meeting last week.
Next meeting
The Sterling City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21, at City Hall, 212 Third Ave., on the first floor in the Council Chambers. Go to sterling-il. gov or call City Hall at 815-632-6621 for an agenda or more information. This week, city officials weighed in. Department heads approached the council Monday to express concern over possible cuts to their departments. “If we drop anymore personnel, the potential is there for grave consequences,” said Fire Chief Gary Cook.
City Manager Scott Shumard discussed some of the cuts that would have to be made if the proposed tax increases aren’t passed. Those cuts include the city intern program, which would save $40,185; the closure a fire substation, which would save $171,487, and eliminate three positions; or eliminate two code officer positions in the building and zoning department, which could save more than $127,000. City officials have expedited work on the utilities tax ordinance, hoping to factor the revenues into the next budget planning process. CUTS CONTINUED ON A5
STERLING SCHOOLS
ROCK FALLS
New thrift store buys straight off the shelf
LEFT: Ed Schmitt takes apart a shelving unit Monday at the recently closed Sunbeam Bakery Outlet in Rock Falls. Schmitt and other volunteers from St. Andrew Catholic Grade School were moving the shelves to a new thrift store the school plans to open at 1100 First Ave. in Rock Falls, where Focus Services once operated. Ed’s wife, Wanda, one of the volunteers who’s helping with the project, said work is still being done on the store, and that a firm opening date hasn’t been nailed down, but that everyone’s eager to see it open – “the sooner the better.” Money from the store would go to help the church and the school, and maybe even build a parish hall. Wanda said they’ve been looking to open a thrift store for a little while, and things finally came together when the location on First Avenue became available. She said everyone’s been more than helpful already, and they’ve even been getting pointers from one of their thrift store peers, the CLS Thrift Store, which is located down the road at 607 First Ave. The store isn’t taking donations of merchandise until it gets closer to the opening date, but donations of clothing racks, stores fixtures and hangers are needed. People can call Wanda Schmitt at 815-438-2051 or St. Andrew Catholic Church at 815-625-4508 to drop off a donation. ABOVE: Ken Schaeffer rolls out a cart full of shelving.
Tax abatement is still coming But taxpayers will have to wait, thanks to state budget standoff BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
STERLING – Sterling schools Superintendent Tad Everett is sticking to the county’s campaign promise of $1 million in tax abatement. But the state budget impasse is forcing the district to delay taxpayers’ savings. Whiteside County voters approved a 1 percent sales tax Tad in November 2014. The bargainEverett ing chip? Sterling schools would use a portion of the proceeds – $1.56 million this school year, including $132,492 received Nov. 2 – to pay health life safety bonds. ABATEMENT CONTINUED ON A5
LEE COUNTY
No word yet on resignation Chairman: Board should hear from Sacco-Miller by January BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
DIXON – The Lee County Board has received no word yet on whether State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller intends to resign or serve out her term, which ends Dec. 1. On Nov. 18, 3 days after being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, Sacco-Miller announced in a news conferAnna ence that she would not seek reelection, and that she was taking Sacco-Miller a 30-day leave of absence “to seek appropriate counseling and assistance.” She had not at the time decided whether to resign. Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com RESIGNATION CONTINUED ON A5
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 5
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A8
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 46. Low 41. More on A3.
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