City Council Passes 2012 Budget

The was passed by a 6-1 vote of the at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday with no increase in the property tax levy. 

was the lone dissenting vote on the budget itself. was joined by supporting the ordinance. 

Four companion pieces of legislation passed unanimously while a proposal to increase user fees such as charges for sanitary and storm sewers barely succeeded with a 4-3 vote. Rotering, Kaufman, Kirsch and Blumberg supported the measure while Frank, Naftzger and Mandel were opposed. 

The City plans to spend $74.2 million next year against projected revenue of $69.8 million according to Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb. The $4.4 million differential is for capital improvements with the money coming from the city’s reserves. 

Of the money going to capital improvements, $1.275 million will upgrade facilities at the . A year ago the library’s needs were the main reason the  

Development at 41 and Park to get further study 

In other business, the Council unanimously postponed a vote on the preliminary approval of a plan to put a , a branch and a at the northwest corner of Highway 41 and Park Avenue West amid overwhelming opposition from residents. 

Council members and most of the public who spoke were concerned with the effect of traffic at an intersection some believe is already a traffic hazard.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen,” said John Resnick of Highland Park.

After strong concerns expressed by Blumberg, Frank and Kaufman among others, the Council decided to ask the developers to make further suggestions to ease the traffic flow. 

Please check back with Patch later this week for a more detailed report on these issues and other business at Monday’s meeting.