Elgin’s budget task force set

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Updated: November 2, 2011 4:20PM

ELGIN — Whittling from a list of 57 potential volunteers, Mayor Dave Kaptain and City Manager Sean Stegall on Monday afternoon unveiled the names of 13 residents they picked to serve on the city’s budget task force.

The chosen have cleared their schedules to have Tuesday evenings free for the next two months to meet about Elgin’s financial situation and to make suggestions for filling a projected budget gap of more than $4 million in the city’s 2012 general fund and for shaping its 2012-2016 financial plan.

“It’s not their job to come back with a balanced budget. That’s our job,” Kaptain said.

Rather, the group will explore options for keeping the city’s books in line, look at moves that can be made down the road, examine how the city got into the situation in which it finds itself, and discuss how the city should deal with the dwindling amount of money coming in from the Grand Victoria Casino — money that up to now mostly has been used for capital projects and to aid nonprofits.

Kaptain said one of the things looked for in potential members was those who would come to the table open to all ideas, without known agendas. All options should be looked at, including charging residents for trash collection, reviving the city’s vehicle sticker program, staffing levels, reducing overtime, the balance between essential services and quality-of-life offerings, how to aid nonprofits, and paring back or consolidating city-sponsored events, Kaptain said.

Diversity of viewpoint and background was sought for the task force, as was experience with budgets and financial matters. The group also breaks down to have three people in the 19-to-35 age demographic, three who are 65 or older, and the rest in the middle. Kaptain said some members were recruited.

Stegall and Kaptain both came up with their own lists, and each had 13 names in common, Kaptain said. There were four backups chosen beyond that. Only one person turned down a seat — because of scheduling conflicts, Kaptain said.

Kaptain and Stegall named Carl Missele to chair the meetings. Missele has been active in many city organizations, including the Elgin Community Network, and was Kaptain’s campaign manager.

The chairman will vote only to break a tie decision among the dozen. Stegall, Chief Financial Officer Colleen Lavery and Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal will attend the meetings, but Kaptain said neither the council nor he will be part of the proceedings.

Kaptain said the process of picking the group showed that people want to be involved. He noted that who sought spots volunteered despite not knowing when or how often the task force would meet.

“This shows a lot of dedication for helping the community,” Kaptain said.

Aside from Missele, the task force consists of Barbara Bonner, whose background is in public education and administration with School District U46; Jen Carr of Northern Trust, who is a Neighborhood Housing Services of the Fox Valley Advisory Council member; Karla Guzman of the Elgin Hispanic Network, whose background includes community engagement and outreach with School District U46; George Hahne, who has assisted the Downtown Neighborhood Association and who comes from an economic development and marketing background; Lao community member May Hopkins, who comes from a social work and work force development background; William Kelty, an information technology and health care professional; Karen Maki of Gail Borden Public Library, whose background is in public administration and community engagement; James Nowicki, the city’s former CFO; Elgin Township Republican committeeman Keith Rauschenberger, who works in corporate finance; former city councilman Thomas Sandor, who comes from a business accounting background; Patricia Segel, whose background is in human resources and who has been involved with the Elgin Community Network; and Toby Shaw, who unsuccessfully ran for city council in the spring and who comes from a business management background.

In a press release issued Monday evening, Stegall stated that the group is “integral for uncovering the values of the community, which services it’s willing to pay for and how much it’s willing to pay.”

“Public budgets are about priorities and setting a course for the future. I am thankful to have the assistance of such a talented group of individuals in preparing the proposed budget,” Stegall added.

Task force meetings will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Aug. 9 and continue through August and September. The sessions will be at the Centre’s Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way. Residents are encouraged to attend.