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6 | October 13, 2016 | The lake forest leader news LakeForestLeader.com Lake Forest City Council Council fuels flames on joint firefighting effort Derek Wolff, Sports Editor Concerns over the increasingly difficult role of funding pension liabilities for police officers and firefighters may lead to higher taxes in Lake Forest or the creation of joint fire and emergency medical services with neighboring municipalities. The Lake Forest City Council discussed short-term, intermediate and long-term solutions to the challenges of continuing to provide a high level of fire and emergency medical services in the wake of operational and financial pressures during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, from City Hall. City Manager Bob Kiely urged the Council to take up the unsavory task of finding solutions before the city’s Nov. 14 budget meeting regarding the funding of public safety pensions. Kiely stressed that Lake Forest would be among the first in the area to meet the issue — shared by many local municipalities — head on. “Everybody is fighting with the same issues that we are fighting with but it’s one of those issues where nobody wants to be out in front,” Kiely said. “This isn’t going to be a very comfortable conversation and it’s certainly not going to be an easy conversation to undertake.” The assembled aldermen on the Council mulled over the pros and cons of the short-term, intermediate and long-term solutions. Short-term solutions included a proposed increase in water bills, set at $10 per quarter, or an increase to the real estate tax levy. The short-term solutions would only be viable on a yearly basis, Kiely said. Of the three types of solutions, they generated the most contention among the aldermen. “It’s gotta stop, this whole thing has to stop,” said Alderman Jack Reisenberg, venting his frustration at what he called a “rigged system in Springfield” that has helped accelerate the revenue shortfall Lake Forest faces. “We’ve got to find a solution around this problem and it’s not by asking the people to fork up more money. We have an inappropriate benefit design issue.” Reisenberg argued that it was the Council’s responsibility — or that of its alderman’s successors — to try and solve the problem through alternative measures without fee increases or tax increases on residents. Alderman George Pandaleon offered a contrarian point of view, arguing that the residents would understand the City’s predicament and understand that some services need to be paid for. “I’m not advocating that we just pay for this and don’t do anything else but in the short run it’s transparent, it’s clear,” Pandaleon said. “People understand what it’s for and maybe that motivates them to take some action as citizens to do something about what’s going on at the state level or invite some sort federal intervention. It’s an unsustainable situation.” A report done by the Fire Service Vision 2020 Committee over the past two years has uncovered that personnel costs — which account for 98 percent of the fire department’s operating budget — are increasing at twice the rate of general fund revenues, which is increasing the revenue shortfall. Alderman Michelle Moreno said that the rising pension rates would eventually cause her to leave Lake Forest and advocated the long-term strategy of merging fire and rescue services with other neighboring municipalities, despite being fond of the existing services and its members. “If it were up to me, I would increase the staff; they’re fantastic guys and gals,” Moreno said. “But we can’t afford them under this structure. The structure fails. I’m happy to go with the short-term solutions but in the long-term I will leave the city. I cannot afford a 10-times increase in fees to cover somebody else’s pension when mine is going the other direction. “And I don’t want to leave. I grew up here and want to stay.” In the interim, Lake Forest will look at steps to continue doing more with less in its intermediate solutions by looking into opportunities for additional operational efficiencies, safety and building code modifications, extending the useful life of essential equipment, examining existing response protocols and reevaluating current mutual aid agreements with other considerations. Alderman Prue Beidler called on feedback from residents to help tackle the issue. “Beating up on Springfield, while it’s tempting and it’s necessary, is not going to solve the problems,” Beidler said. “We have to keep doing the things we have been doing, both shortterm and long-term, but be mindful of the things we can be doing and using our elected officials and being totally clear with our constituents that this is beyond us and we’re going to do everything we can and want you to know what that is. We want you to look at it and give us ideas but it is beyond us and we’re going to need your help.” Ultimately, the Council directed Kiely, as well as Director of Finance Elizabeth Holleb, to continue looking into solutions to deal with the shortfall. Mayor Donald Schoenheider echoed Kiely’s earlier sentiments that while it isn’t an enviable task, Lake Forest has been at the forefront of making the tough decisions in the past and needs to do that once more. “We need to lead in this issue,” Schoenheider said. “I don’t think there are many communities that are discussing this. This committee has lead on major issues in the past and it’s appropriate for us to lead on this issue now. It’s time for us to really take the lead and try to find solutions but in the interim we have to do what’s financially prudent, both for our forces and our residents.” Police Reports Seven juveniles cited after underage drinking party Police responded to a report of a possible underage drinking party taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the 300 block of King Muir Road. One female juvenile, 17, was issued an administrative hearing ticket for social hosting, while six additional juveniles, males and females 16-17 years old, were issued minor in possession and consumption of alcohol tickets. All subjects were turned over to their parents and all have a November court date. In other police news: LAKE FOREST Oct. 4 • Golden Corbbins, 38, of Zion, was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis at 12:44 a.m. near the intersection of Gage Lane and Route 41. Corbbins was issued an administrative citation and released with a November court date. Oct. 2 • Dominique Lezine, 24, of North Chicago, was arrested for driving with a suspended license at 3:22 p.m. near the intersection of Waukegan Road and Carriage Way. Lezine was processed and released on bond with an October court date. LAKE BLUFF • The Lake Bluff Police Department did not submit reports this week. EDITOR’S NOTE: The Lake Forest Leader’s Police Reports are compiled from official reports found on file at the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Police departments. Individuals named in these reports are considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
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