Kane looking at cost of county lobbyists
By Matt Brennan For The Beacon-News September 10, 2012 2:00PM
Updated: September 11, 2012 12:36PM
GENEVA — Kane County lobbyists may be under closer scrutiny, as the County Board Finance Committee evaluated department proposals for the fiscal year 2013 budget Monday.
The Finance Committee pulled out requests for lobbyists from the transportation and assessment departments, looking for further information on their necessity — and their report cards.
Committee member Cathy Hurlbut, R-Elgin, stated her case for a $30,000 request for a transportation lobbyist.
“This is a very small cost for a lobbyist, who has helped us out a lot in the past,” she said.
The transportation lobbyist works to secure state and federal funding for county transportation projects. If the position were to be cut, it would cost the county far more than the $30,000 request, Hurlbut said.
Hurlbut, who is also Transportation Committee chairman, said there is a need to have someone looking after the county’s transportation interests in Springfield.
Finance Chairman Jim Mitchell suggested paying for all lobbyists from one department budget. That way, it’s not an item departments would have to individually fund.
The Finance Committee will continue its review of requests before the final budget is passed in November.
