Elmhurst Hikes Public Relations Budget

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council decided Monday to substantially increase its budget for public relations, saying it would put the city more in line with other suburbs. The lone dissenting alderman, however, said the move would unnecessarily add to the city's deficit.

At its meeting, the council voted 11-1 in favor of creating a part-time communications specialist position, which will cost the city an extra $48,000 a year. This is in addition to the salary of the full-time communications manager, Kassondra Schref, who made $75,000 in 2018, according to OpenTheBooks.com. That position was created a few years ago.

The council's vote follows its tentative decision a few weeks ago to raise its overall property tax levy by 7 percent, which has drawn the ire of residents. City officials said they needed to increase the levy because of skyrocketing police and fire pension costs.

At Monday's council meeting, City Manager Jim Grabowski told aldermen that two similarly sized suburbs, Downers Grove and Wheaton, have several people in their communications departments. He said demands such as monitoring social media require a second person in the department.

"Kassondra has been doing a great job," he said. "The more communications improve, the more people want."

Third Ward Alderman Michael Bram, however, argued against the new position.

"I don't see the need for adding more dollars," Bram said. "We have made great strides as far as communication overall."

Mayor Steve Morley disagreed, saying Schref is "buried" with all of her responsibilities. He said when he joined the council years ago, he pushed reducing the city government's head count. But he said the second communications position was important enough to waive that concern.

"Kassondra is a department by herself. She is buried, and she is doing an unbelievable job. There is enough work for two and a half people," the mayor said.

First Ward Alderwoman Marti Deuter said she was surprised the city had no one in communications when she was elected six years ago.

Bram was the only council member to vote against the $48,000 position. The money is for the budget year starting Jan. 1.