Tense Exchange Over Darien Spending Issue

DARIEN, IL — A Darien alderman this week pushed the city to consider constructing a new public works building, saying the current one is in bad shape.

But another alderman questioned where the money would come from. And the city administrator said Darien would need to raise property taxes to pay off debt for such a building.

Officials estimated the cost of the new building at $8.5 million.

Alderman Eric Gustafson said the city has avoided the "gorilla in the room" for too many years. He said the city needed to replace the building.

He said he hoped the city could attract a marijuana store, the taxes from which could pay for the new building. But he said neighboring towns are poised to get marijuana shops, which could possibly saturate the local market.

"That scares the living heck out of me because the state of Illinois has delayed things so much," Gustafson said.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said the marijuana money was not a sure thing. The city, she said, operates on a $15 million annual budget and has no extra money for a new building. She also questioned the need for it.

"I want a pony. I'd love to have a race car," she said.

Gustafson suggested the finance committee, which Sullivan heads, take up the issue when it starts its annual budget meetings in a couple of weeks. But she said the City Council's goal-setting sessions were the proper place for such discussions.

Gustafson said it would be a waste of time to sit in a budget meeting if aldermen were unable to talk about the new public works building.

"That's ridiculous," he said. "I won't even attend the budget meetings if that's what it's coming down to."

City Administrator Bryon Vana said the city's well-qualified public works employees seem to operate fine in the existing building.

"Eric talks like this is a need. I talk about this as a want," he said.

He said he would figure out the impact of a tax increase to pay for the building. Such hikes don't have to go through the voters because Darien is home rule.

Gustafson asked whether other aldermen on the seven-member council were interested in a discussion about a new building. Only one other spoke up.

Alderman Tom Chlystek called the current building "a dump."

"What worries me is kicking the can down the road all the time," he said.

Sullivan said the building was obviously Gustafson's "No. 1 and only priority in the budget."

Gustafson objected.

"Don't put words in my mouth," he said. "It's not my only item."

Vana said he would provide the bond issue numbers for the budget meeting in two weeks.