City Council Meeting: 10/20/10

This special meeting of the City Council included a number of important budget outcomes.  The $1.2 million fire truck was not approved; instead the current truck will be repaired as-needed for 2011.  

I made a motion to cut 10% from the overtime budgets from the Public Works, Fire, and Police Departments.  This overtime is used for special projects, call-backs resulting from injuries, and storm events.  I argued that reducing the overtime budgets would force department heads to find efficiencies within their departments, as the alternative funding would no longer be as accessible.  This proposal evolved into a cut for PW and Fire and the resulting savings should amount to over $100,000.  My amended motion passed and the reductions were recorded.  

Alderman Argus proposed the elimination of $20,000 budgeted for tuition reimbursements.  I argued that our most valuable assets are our employees.  Investment in their continued development can only improve the quality of City services.  Additionally, this benefit makes us competitive in a marketplace when many employers offer tuition reimbursements.    

The final budget hearing is set for Monday, October 25th in City Hall.  

Self Defense & Fire Ops Photos

            DP 101: Self Defense                           Fire Ops 101 

This fall has been full of public safety training and education for aldermen and ward residents.  Take a look at a recent Des Plaines 101 ward meeting where DPPD officers taught a self defense class.  A number of DP elected officials joined others from throughout the NW Suburbs to learn about the Fire Service at a NIPSTA training.