No Tax Increase in Evanston's Proposed 2015 Budget

The following is from the City of Evanston:

Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz has released the proposed budget for the City of Evanston’s 2015 Fiscal Year, which runs from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The $260 million budget includes a balanced General Fund without a net increase in property taxes and with no planned staff layoffs.

The 2015 Proposed Budget document as well as a “Budget in Brief” video highlighting this year’s budget can be found at cityofevanston.org/budget.

The annual budget is a policy document that sets the financial course for the City of Evanston and defines the service priorities provided to the community. It is the culmination of months of effort by the entire City staff, as well as residents, to balance available resources with the actual and desired services required by Evanston residents, businesses and visitors.

“The prevailing economic climate has shown signs of improvement during the past year, however, the state economy remains an area of concern for the City of Evanston,” said Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. “The performance of the state economy impacts the City in numerous ways, including income and sales tax, local employment, housing, and economic development. As such, staff has diligently monitored expenses and revenues to ensure that the City remains fiscally stable, while still providing core services in the most responsible ways possible.”

The 2015 proposed budget focuses on continuing City services at current levels, while emphasizing the City’s goals to address at-risk families and youth, long-term debt, and facilities and infrastructure improvements. The proposed budget supports those goals through a variety of initiatives, including:

• Reestablishment of a Health and Human Services Department, incorporating the existing services of the Health Department, the General Assistance functions of the former Evanston Township, and an expanded commitment to help Evanston residents in need.
• Increased focus on workforce development, job training programs and services for at-risk families, with the addition of personnel in Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Health and Human Services, and Library Services.
• Continued emphasis on infrastructure maintenance and facilities improvements, with $43.5 million in capital improvement projects proposed for 2015, including nearly $19 million for street, alley and sidewalk construction projects and combined water main and street construction projects.
• Continued commitment to long-term financial stability, holding the line on current debt service costs and reducing the amount of new, property tax supported debt to be issued for capital improvements in 2015.

The Fiscal Year 2015 Proposed Budget marks the sixth consecutive budget year that the City has facilitated a community budget process. During the week of September 4-12, 2014, Evanston residents provided their feedback and submitted budget-related ideas to City staff through a variety of communication channels, including an online survey, mail, email, phone, social media, and in-person at the City’s budget booth during the September 7 Evanston Streets Alive! event. Feedback indicated that street repair and resurfacing were a priority for most residents. As a result, Motor Fuel Tax expenditures for City street improvements are proposed to increase by $300,000.

The budget will be formally presented to the Evanston City Council on Monday, October 20, 7 p.m., in the Morton Civic Center’s Council Chambers. Residents are also invited to attend a public hearing on the budget on Saturday, October 25, at 9 a.m., in the Council Chambers.

For more information about the 2015 proposed budget, visit cityofevanston.org/budget or call/text 847-448-4311.