Pool is the city's only major 2016 project
The Du Quoin City Council Monday night inked a 2016 balanced budget with an anticipated $62,340 surplus.
Budget and finance consultant Chuck Novak and City Clerk Andrew Croessman offer this statement: "For the year 2016 the city has budgeted revenue of $8,165,400 with expenses of $8,102,644. The budget is balanced and will generate a $62,340 surplus. No major projects are included in the city's operation budget. The budget is designed to maintain protective and maintenance services to the people of Du Quoin. Further, it is designed to maintain current staffing and service levels. Money has been budgeted to initiate internal improvement which will improve efficiency and upgrade software in all city departments.
"The one project which will be undertaken by the city is the restoration of the city pool complex. It is currently estimated that nearly $500,000 will be required to bring the pool complex up to the standards which are common across the cities in the Southern Illinois Wim League. A restricted account has been established by the city council specifically for the restoration project. The cash balance in the new account already exceeds $50,000 and is growing monthly. In the spring of 2016 the fundraising campaign will be expanded with assistance from the Du Quoin Swimming Indians, the city, District 300 and the people of Du Quoin."
The city currently has a cash reserve, all told, of $1.06 million and he wants a cash reserve of $3.42 million in six months. He said it behooves commissioners and department heads to watch payroll and overtime closely.
The Du Quoin city council held its year-end meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday to quickly consider final approval of two ordinances and place on public display three others.
The council gave final approval to an ordinance that lays out residency requirements for city employees. Generally that ordinance says to work for the city you need to live within the geographical boundaries of Du Quoin Community Unit District 300.
There are some exceptions for parttime or auxiliary police and fire personnel. It does not affect two employees that had to be hired from outside of the area because of their special skills. Their jobs are grandfathered in. If they relocate it needs to be within District 300
The council approved an ordinance that would provide for a small handicap accessible ramp alongside a building being remodeled into a gun shop at the corner of East Main and South Division Streets. The council approved and placed on public display an ordnance establishing higher stipends for police sergeants, the assistant fire chief and fire department captains.
The meeting closed with public comment from Loren Craig having to do with placement of real estate location "pointer" signs on street corners or public rights of way to direct potential buyers to the properties for sale.
Mayor Alongi said he would yield to the Du Quoin Zoning Board to address that issue. He said he certainly supports the Craigs and their Pitchford Real Estate business, but doesn't want to "open up a can of worms" with respect to authoring a law that allows some signage and bars other signage. He said he might consider what might best be called some good neighbor language that would require realtors to get consent from property owners nearest the signs because they would likely have to weed around them. The zoning board meets in January.