Elgin backs funding for tourism bureau, cuts to fire station staffing
The initial budget proposal would have raised the hotel tax from 4 percent to 6 percent, adding about
By consensus, the council directed Kozal and staff to amend the budget to raise the hotel tax rate to 8 percent. Come January, the council will consider a new deal with the
Council member
"There is room for improvement with the bureau," Council member
Council member
"It's a top-heavy organization, and they need to change that culture," council member
The proposed budget also posits
This would reduce the number of shift positions from six to five at Station 1 on the east side and Station 2 to operate a "refined jump company. ... This new staffing model will increase the incidence of ambulances available for responding to EMS calls, the overwhelming majority of fire department activity," the document states.
Council member and former
Dunne said the reduction could affect the safety of the public as well as firefighters. The department already is down 12 positions in the last 10 years and is doing more with less, he said.
To make up the
Gavin reminded Dunne that the city had looked into having an alarm service several years ago and was met by resistance from companies that already provide such a service.
Mayor
"I'll be calling for a public discussion for early next year on the way we're funding the
Other council members, including Dixon,
Still, the members voted down adopting Dunne's proposals as part of the 2018 budget by a 7-2 margin. Dunne and Dixon were the only "yes" votes.
Fire union President
Further staffing reductions could mean even more injuries, which would increase the amount of money
With the firefighters' contract up at the end of this year, Galli said he hoped the city and the union could come to an agreement that helps the city save money while addressing the union's staffing concerns.
The budget discussions continue at
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