2011 Village Trustee Candidate Forum: Budgets, Development, Community

[Editor's note: We're still awaiting village approval to post any of the forum footage.]

Wednesday night’s candidate forum clocked in at just over two hours, and candidates addressed issues from budgeting to what development projects should be brought into the community.

Couldn’t make it or missed the original broadcast? Lisle Chamber of Commerce president Tom Althoff said that the forum will re-broadcast on Comcast Channel 10 each day at noon until the election. You can also call the village and ask for a DVD copy—I snagged one for 50 cents.

Since there was obviously a lot to be said, I recommend watching it! This write-up can only begin to tap into all of the comments made.

1. I think that change is an important part of this election. Spending is out of control in Lisle, taxes are increasing an already burdened group of citizens. How would you suggest change?

2. One of the candidates suggested a zero based accounting process [at a previous village meeting]. What are your thoughts? What is the likelihood of this process?

3. There has been deficit spending since at least 2003. Do you approve? What would you cut to balance budget?

4. Several candidates are running on a platform of fiscal responsibility and economic development. Was downtown done efficiently and effectively? Any ideas for improvement of master plan?

5. What is the number of jobs being brought to Lisle by Navistar?

6. Do you feel public was adequately informed about TIF?

7. At what point do you feel you would allow residents to vote on future TIFs?

8. What specifically would you do to promote business development?

9. What would you do to develop the 60-acre lot near Benedictine (commonly known as the Meijer property)?

10. What other ways can we develop a greater sense of community in village?

11. How can the village be more transparent and increase public trust?

The budget

Several questions focused on whether current village budgeting process is truly balanced, and how reserve funds are being addressed.

By law, Boyle said, the budget needs to be balanced. Boyle said the utility tax helps balance the budget, adding that the village does not charge residents gas, electric or phone taxes.

Ledvora, though, said he would like to eliminate the utility tax if elected and “find other ways to reduce costs.” He specifically mentioned the use of reserve funds for large projects.

“Because we’re using reserves, it looks balanced but reserves are going down,” he said.  

Cawiezel said they’ve been diligent about saving up for larger purchases over a course of years. While the village does not wipe the budget’s slate clean every year, she said it’s clear the finance department justifies the expenditures of all departments.

“If we look at federal and state levels, you see spending and debt going up. If there were truly deficit spending, we’d see the same thing. We don’t see that,” she said.

Wilkie encouraged residents to look at the 10-year data (which is available on the village website). He raised questions of how the village will repay the “loan” from water reserve funds for the downtown development project.  When speaking to other aspects of the budget he said, “There are assumptions that revenues would increase but I don’t know if those assumptions are valid.”

Downtown development

Cawiezel said downtown development has followed the master plan and addresses the needs of the village using a “long lense”—and has “provided the infrastructure for future development.” She believes that properly addressed the floodplain area, a sentiment Boyle agreed with.

The recently terminated became a frequently visited topic throughout the forum. Boyle mentioned the village is currently working with developers and real estate brokerage firms to determine how the village can maximize downtown's appeal.

Both Ledvora and Wilkie expressed discontentment with the way downtown was developed. Wilkie said residential development is a “keystone” to building more business, and would like to see an economic plan. Ledvora said he’s still waiting to see a return on investment. He believes new developers and consultants, and perhaps some public forums to get public input, can help get things moving.

Meijer development

All five candidates seemed to agree that the development of single family homes would most benefit the , north of the Green Trails neighborhood.

“We have to work in tandem with developers to get an understanding of the appropriate type of residential property fit for that space,” Boyle said.

Young said several developers have expressed interest in the parcel and he believes Meijer will sell the land, leaving it open to development in a few years.

There was also some mention of the benefits of retail along Maple.

Cawiezel said that she’d like to see retail that serves the nearby Green Trails and four corners residents. Wilkie mentioned the parcel could be an opportunity for green projects.

Other development

Ledvora mentioned several times that there should be a focus on bringing business to the rest of the village, particularly Warrenville Road. He said new developers and “new blood,” and perhaps some public forums to discuss residents’ needs, could benefit the entire village.

According to Young, a Nick and Vito’s restaurant may be on its way. He also said that the village is working with the Lisle Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau to put together packages for new Navistar employees to promote use of Lisle amenities. Ledvora and Wilkie support this tactic.

Transparency

Is Lisle government transparent?

Boyle says yes, considering the availability of meeting minutes on the village website. Young agreed.

Speaking to his participation voting on two TIF districts, he said, “I don’t think at any time residents didn’t have ample opportunity to review material.”

Boyle and Cawiezel both addressed accusations of ‘back room deals’ in executive session. Both trustees stated that executive session is guided by state guildelines, and an attorney is present to assure that discussion stays on topic.

“To suggest that things are being held in “back room” that shouldn’t be alleges fraud…. For there to be fraud would necessitate collusion among large number of people—the board, mayor, staff, village attorney… I’m just not buying that.”

Ledvora had two suggestions to increase transparency. He thinks board meeting information packets should be released to the public more than a few days ahead of time. Ledvora also cited the village’s newsletter, and said it could be an opportunity for the village to discuss fiscal items

Navistar

While several of the candidates agreed that the company’s move is one of the most significant development projects to come to the village in several years, that’s where the agreement stopped. In his opening remarks Wilkie said that the current board failed to reach out to residents throughout the process, which prompted the intervention of Gov. Pat Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

A question came up concerning the actual number of jobs that Navistar would bring to the Lisle campus, and candidates could not offer a consensus on the number at this time. Cawiezel cited the TIF agreement, which requires the company to retain a specific number of jobs at the campus. Boyle said there are certain agreements “to make sure the village is protected,” including repayment stipulations if the number of jobs dips below 2,800. (Young pointed out that Navistar will be paying taxes on the $109 million valuation of the plot, and not the reduced value at which it was purchased.)

Ledvora countered that the company won’t be responsible for repayments after 10 years.

“I wish we had an answer—the number has been a moving target. EDGE tax credits state 2,000 jobs would be retained and 400 new jobs would come to the state…. The best way to find out is to ask Navistar directly.”

Keeping up community

“Any time the village gets involved, we have residents on one side and the village on other side,” remarked Wilkie. “There’s a ton of public comment, but very little discussion.”

Ledvora said he’s noticed divisions in the community recently. He said he’d like to encourage more dialogue with residents, instead of an “intimidating forum.”

“No one person is going to have all the answers, but you can see everyone’s concerns that way. Not everything can get done but you can certainly work towards it,” he said.

Young said better listening is the key.

“All of residents and leaders need to tone down the rhetoric, listen a little more to each other. We need to go back and outreach more to the community... Whoever sits in these chairs will attempt better outreach and more open dialogue,” he said.