Coronavirus: Darien Streets Take Big Hit

DARIEN, IL — The Darien City Council this week approved a budget that cuts $3.6 million — a far cry from the plan that the village was considering just last month. The reductions amount to 14 percent.

"Some of the cuts are a punt," City Administrator Bryon Vana told the City Council this week. "Some of the vehicles we held off. Some of the things we are rescheduling for next year. Others are not. We are not doubling up on the road program."

At the council meeting, a number of capital projects were on the agenda. One alderman would move to approve an item, but the proposal would die for a lack of a second. That happened a number of times. One example was the city's assistance with backyard drainage. Nine projects were suggested, but no one seconded the proposal.

Taking the biggest hit in the budget was the street reconstruction program, where $1.4 million was cut. By contrast, a few smaller reductions have little impact. For instance, $16,000 for DarienFest security is no longer necessary because organizers say the event has been canceled because of the pandemic.

Other items that saw reductions: Citizen of the Year program ($8,100), quarterly newsletters ($23,396), three Carriage Greens events ($9,000) and special events management ($6,000).

City officials said it was hard to predict what would happen financially.

"While I have full confidence the economy will bounce back, there is an immediate effect on the city's financial projections," Vana said in a budget statement.

The new budget year starts May 1.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 23: 35,108 Cases; 1,565 Deaths

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