The DeKalb County Board is about to go $45 million in debt to finance an expansion of the courthouse and to build a new county jail. As required by law the Board held a public hearing (March 10, 2010) on the issuance of the debt bonds.

At its October 2009 Finance Committee meeting, Kevin Hoeckler from Scott Balice and Associates, presented a plan for selling the $45 million in debt bonds “without a referendum or raising property taxes.”

The plan includes use of low interest or rebateable Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Bonds and, according to Hoeckler, will be repaid through:

• The County has unobligated Sales Tax Revenues of around $1.2 million annually from the County Farm Site (East of Sycamore Road).
• Given the current market and certain credit assumptions this revenue stream can accommodate a $14 million bond issuance.
• This money can be used by the County to pay for the Court House expansion which is estimated to cost between $10-$12 million.
• The County is working with Waste Management to enter into a contract starting in December of 2012 that will produce roughly $120 million for the County over 30 years.
• Given the current market and certain credit assumptions this revenue stream can accommodate a bond issuance in excess of the $30 million estimated project costs for the Jail expansion.

The Gatheratorium at the County Legislative Center was full for the public hearing but only about 10 citizens spoke. All except Judge Kurt Klein spoke against selling the bonds or the construction project altogether.

Video Comments from Public Hearing

• Judge Kurt Klein
• Josh Boies (Part One and Part Two)
• Matt Woodstrup
• Peter Barick

When I read my name as one of “The Applicants” for the abandoned 3rd ward seat I could feel the tension exiting my shoulders.

I wasn’t trying to hide my interests in getting that part time gig. I was afraid that if the Illinois Attorney General forced Mayor Povlsen into releasing the names to the public then everyone would know that I was the only applicant that didn’t get interviewed.

Whew!!! When I read the list, made available only via FOIA requests by the Northern Star and the Daily Chronicle (and an AG favorable ruling on their appeal of denial), I learned that I was one of six of the nine applicants who expressed interest in the job who didn’t get interviewed. Heck, only five of 17 applicants plus one phone call (from the mayor’s free throw line) got interviewed.

There. I feel better. I knew I wasn’t going to get the job but I think a face-to-face would have been productive. I’m a critic of City Hall. One of many complaints I’ve opined about is the lack of professional courtesy. Apparently, personal courtesy is a bit lacking, too.

I was impressed by the list of names. I’ve known several of these folks for many years. Good people. You go 3rd Ward!

3rd Ward candidates

Those who expressed interest: Sarah Cliffe, Jeff Latimer, Mac McIntyre, John Newquist, Ata Shakir, Kay Shelton, Darrel Tribel, Jim Schneider, and Pam Verbic, who was appointed to the seat.

Those referred by someone else: Roger Johnson, Tom May, and Jeff Whalen.

Those suggested by others: Sylvia Fuentes, Jessica Lyons, Emily Prieto, Margo Sutorius, and Dana York.

Those interviewed: Kay Shelton, Pam Verbic, Jeff Latimer, Emily Prieto, Margo Sutorius, (by phone) Julia Fauci

7th Ward candidates

All: Lisa Kammes, Eric Calmeyer, Austin Quick, Monica Sanders-O’Leary

Interviewed: Lisa Kammes, Eric Calmeyer, Monica Sanders-O’Leary

As promised the transcripts to the public hearing on the Waste Management siting application to expand the DeKalb County Landfill is now online. The electronic version used to create PDF’s from each day of the public hearing was made available by Mary Supple, DeKalb County government, after a FOIA request was submitted.

Monday Opening Arguments, Motions to dismiss, 1st Witness: 03-01-2010

Tuesday testimony 03-02-2010 and Public Comment (Tuesday night)

Wednesday testimony 03-03-2010

Thursday testimony 03-04-2010

Friday testimony 03-05-2010

Thursday testimony 3-11-2010

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

March 15, 2010

Governor’s Budget Rejected

Illinois’ Pension Debt Tops National Study

Where to Cut State-Budget

Bill Action Highlights

A Real Program Success

Volunteer Service Award

Governor’s Budget Rejected

The analysis of the Governor’s brief budget address last week began immediately in the rotunda where media peppered legislators with questions. The responses I noted with interest were from the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. In essence they said it contained some interesting ideas but don’t expect us to support any of them. The budget was rejected.