Darien Rejects Tax Hike For Bigger City Building

DARIEN, IL – The Darien City Council on Monday rejected a proposed tax increase for an expanded public works building.

Instead, a 5-2 majority decided to repair the 1970s structure. It is on South Frontage Road, near Interstate 55 and Cass Avenue.

According to the city, an expanded building would cost residents $100 to $200 more a year in property taxes for 15 years.

At most, upgrades to the current building are expected to cost up to $2.6 million. That was according to a city estimate released two weeks ago. But since then, that number has dropped considerably.

Trucks are seen outside the public works building in Darien. With a building expansion, more of the city's trucks could be housed in the garage, some aldermen say. (David Giuliani/Patch)

The biggest ticket item is a new roof. Two weeks ago, that project was said to cost $750,000.

But on Monday, Dan Gombac, the city's municipal services director, said that amount had dropped to $100,000. That was because the city knew of a firm that could install a rubberized roof for a much lower cost, he said.

Gombac said his department has informed employees about the options for the building. He was asked how they reacted to the idea of improving the building without expanding.

"They understand it, and they're accepting it," Gombac said.

Alderman Eric Gustafson, who has long pushed for a new building, said he did not want to increase taxes to do it.

If Darien attracted a marijuana store, he said, that could raise the taxes needed for a new building.

For the last couple of years, Gustafson has called for the city to aggressively seek such a store.

"Either we're going to get one or Woodridge or Downers Grove will," the alderman said. "If it's in Downers Grove or Woodridge, it's really in Darien. So we may as well get the money from it."

He was unable to persuade his colleagues on the building.

Aldermen Thomas Belczak, Lester Vaughan, Joe Kenny, Mary Sullivan and Ted Schauer voted to repair the current building. Gustafson and Tom Chlystek wanted an expansion.

At a meeting two weeks ago, Schauer favored a bigger building, saying short-term fixes are not worth taxpayers' money.

After Monday's meeting, Schauer told Patch the big drop in the roof cost convinced him that improvements would be worth it.

Darien's public works building was built in the 1970s. Darien alderman decided Monday to renovate the building. (David Giuliani/Patch)