Chester council wary of budget talks
<p dir="ltr"><span>State politicians have resumed budget talks, but the Chester City Council appears wary of the process.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>On Monday, the council approved authorizing City Clerk Bethany Berner to transfer funds on an as-needed basis to the Water/Sewer Operating Fund from the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement fund and from the Water Plant Improvement Fund until the city received payment from the state.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Berner reported the city received a one-month payment from the state on Monday in the amount of $129,342.55. </span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"That may be enough to get us by," she said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The state's "stopgap" budget expires on Dec. 31, but Illinois legislators elected in the Nov. 8 election won't take office until Jan. 11.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>House Speaker Michael Madigan has proposed another short-term spending plan that will take the state through June.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Hopefully, we won't be back in the shape we were, but it looks like we're heading that way," said Alderwoman Nancy Crossland.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In a situation that began last year and continued through the summer, the city went months without repayment from the state on water, sewer and natural gas services to state facilities.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>That left Chester on the hook for more than $1.5 million and resulting in Mayor Tom Page considering shutting off water service to Menard Correctional Center and Chester Mental Health Center.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>After the passage of the stopgap budget, the city did receive reimbursement in chunks. Crossland urged the council to take more proactive measures if the situation is repeated and not wait around for payment.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In other news, the council approved a $9,401.98 quote from Erb Equipment to repair an axle on one of the city's backhoes.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Steve Renner, a City of Chester Maintenance Department employee, reported to the council that the machine's rear axle was locked in the forward position and any time a worker stepped on the brake, a grinding and popping noise could be heard.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The repairs could take up to three weeks as the axle will be rebuilt from hub to hub.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"We need this repair," Crossland said. "If the other one goes down and a water main breaks…"</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"We'll be in big trouble," Page said, finishing Crossland's sentence.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The council also approved the annual city employee Christmas Party for Dec. 9 at the Chester Eagles. Page stated the party is also open to city retirees and finger food would be available.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"I wanted to make sure all the council members were aware there was a party on Dec. 9," said Page, when asked in a follow-up interview why the party needed to be approved by the council.</span>
<p dir="ltr">Roundup
<p dir="ltr"><span>• The council approved, without discussion, the insurance program by the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust effective Dec. 2.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>• The council approved a $200 donation to the Memorial Hospital Tree of Remembrance</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>• The council approved bills and payroll in the amount of $76,682.16.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>• At separate times during the meeting, Crossland and Page highlighted this weekend's Christmas on the River Celebration and thanked the volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the three-day event.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There's been a lot of work put into that schedule and I appreciate that," Page said, who specifically thanked Berner, Teri Crum and Heather McCartney for painting Santa's House on their own time.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There has been a great deal of effort put into (Christmas on the River) and I want to thank everyone for their help on that," Crossland later added.</span>