Cost Hikes Prompt Calls For Elmhurst Asset Review

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst alderman on Tuesday asked city staff to conduct a review on whether the city could better use its assets.

At a City Council meeting, Alderman Michael Honquest noted the big increase in the cost of improvements to the McKinley stormwater pump station. It was budgeted at $3 million, but the City Council approved a low bid of $5 million Tuesday.

The same trend is happening with vehicles that the city is buying, Honquest said.

He requested City Manager Jim Grabowski and other staffers come up with specific ways to use city assets to offset rising costs.

He noted cities are facing requirements to replace lead pipes and "other things that are just continually getting heaped on municipalities."

On the asset review, Honquest said, "I think we need to do it as quickly as possible. I'd like to see if we can get it done before we go into budget season, so we can have some frame of reference."

The city's new budget year starts Jan. 1.

Alderwoman Noel Talluto, a member of the council's finance committee, backed Honquest's request.

She said the finance committee is working on behalf of the full council to look at ways to pay for stormwater projects. The stormwater fund, she said, is expected to face cash flow difficulties over the next decade.

The city has hired a consultant to look into tax increases to pay for the projects.

"I fully support taking a new look ... and keeping our eyes open on behalf of the residents of Elmhurst to keep our finances as responsible and conservative as possible and use the assets we have to the best of their ability," Talluto said.