Weisner administration wants to increase
City of Aurora's debt by 61% next year
with no end of wild spending epidemic
As the City of Aurora is embroiled in the middle of the high-profile Planned Parenthood controversy, some things are business as usual.
Specifically, after Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner has already increased taxes in Aurora to the highest levels in history, he continues to go on a wild spending spree on everything from Shodeen ($37 million so far with a blank check for more) to the Aurora Police Palace to "important" expenses like faux painting and new furniture for Weisner's office as part of $127,000 in mayoral upgrades.
The other thing that keeps going and going like the Energizer bunny without any glitch is Weisner's cronies profiting from taxpayers, including but not limited to Mundy Landscaping, Wegman Construction, Engineerng Enterpises, Alarm Detection Services and, of course, Cordogan Clark.
With an ongoing labor dispute with the police union, basic infrastructure needs throughout the city, high property and sales tax rates, reverse economic development, increased water and waste removal fees, low morale among city staff, shrinking casino funds and the cronies expecting even bigger rewards, is this the appropriate time to sink taxpayers further into ANY debt?
How about a 61% increase of debt for 2008?
Weisner's Wish:
>As of 2007, the city's debt is:
--$150.4 million
>As of 2008, the city's debt will be:
---------$242.6 million
>Change from 2007 to 2008:
$92,200,000.00
61% increase in debt
At this rate, the city's debt would increase to a $391 million hole in 2009.
And, how and who will pay this back?
Anyone? Bueller? Caputo?
***UPDATE: The City of Aurora will reveal the 2008 budget on Wednesday, October 3rd, 4:30pm at the Finance Committee meeting at 60 E. Downer Place (Alderman's Office). We strongly encourage the public to attend.
Specifically, after Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner has already increased taxes in Aurora to the highest levels in history, he continues to go on a wild spending spree on everything from Shodeen ($37 million so far with a blank check for more) to the Aurora Police Palace to "important" expenses like faux painting and new furniture for Weisner's office as part of $127,000 in mayoral upgrades.
The other thing that keeps going and going like the Energizer bunny without any glitch is Weisner's cronies profiting from taxpayers, including but not limited to Mundy Landscaping, Wegman Construction, Engineerng Enterpises, Alarm Detection Services and, of course, Cordogan Clark.
With an ongoing labor dispute with the police union, basic infrastructure needs throughout the city, high property and sales tax rates, reverse economic development, increased water and waste removal fees, low morale among city staff, shrinking casino funds and the cronies expecting even bigger rewards, is this the appropriate time to sink taxpayers further into ANY debt?
How about a 61% increase of debt for 2008?
Weisner's Wish:
>As of 2007, the city's debt is:
--$150.4 million
>As of 2008, the city's debt will be:
---------$242.6 million
>Change from 2007 to 2008:
$92,200,000.00
61% increase in debt
At this rate, the city's debt would increase to a $391 million hole in 2009.
And, how and who will pay this back?
Anyone? Bueller? Caputo?
***UPDATE: The City of Aurora will reveal the 2008 budget on Wednesday, October 3rd, 4:30pm at the Finance Committee meeting at 60 E. Downer Place (Alderman's Office). We strongly encourage the public to attend.
45 comments:
This is getting ridiculous and I can't believe Brian Caputo is letting the mayor get away with this stuff.
There is no excuse.
Sorry to say it but Tom Weisner doesn't care about this city's future. If he gets his way, he will increase debt and spend money to pretend he accomplished something to run for mayor again, then raise taxes again if we are stupid enough to elect him.
Either way, he gets away to Florida sooner or later and we are left holding that debt.
If the City of Aurora is proposing to increase debt in 2008 by THAT much, then we should shut down Shodeen's project IMMEDIATELY before another penny is wasted on that disaster unless there's first plan and limit to our costs.
Can this blog get any more ingrained in anti-Weisner propaganda? Oh, wait, that's what makes this site so ridiculous and entertaining, so please keep up the good work.
I hope no other alderman votes to spend that $127,000 on Weisner's office after this news.
The blog isn't anti-Weisner because they expose what is going on. It ain't propaganda.
Maybe Weisner is anti-taxpayer and anti-Aurora and anti-children if he's going to put that debt burden on everyone else to pay.
Even most old-guard cronies in Aurora should be alarmed at this. You can't increase debt that much without it causing big problems later. Basic finance 101.
At least we know one alderman will support increasing debt. Leroy "this is good stuff" Keith.
You have to give Mike Cetera credit for stepping out and writing a good Blog. This is a good sign from the Beacon. Even they can not ignore the fact that this Mayor is more interested in headlines then results.
I remember recently our entire city budget was just about $50 mil.
This has gotten way out of hand and the city council must clamp down on Weisner's spending or we are going to be bankrupt.
We all realize that if you want a new police facility we, the tax payers have to pay the bill.
The debt is bad enough however there is a collateral question. That question is whether this administration and future administrations have and will have the intestinal fortitude to pay this debt out of the present budget or will it raise taxes.
If we presume $91 million at 5.0% for a term of 30 years the monthly payment is $588,507.68 which equates to a an annual payment of $5,862,092.16.
So which path do you think that this administration is going to follow? The easy way and raise taxes? Or the hard way and cut funding for existing portions of the budget?
By the way if the above debt scenario played out for the full thirty years with each payment being made as scheduled the total amount of money paid by the tax payers would be;
$175,862,764.80
Keep in mind that this number does not cover the cost of furnishing and equipping the building the above cost is just the debt service.
Is it time for this city to take a hard look at its expenses and find ways to cut those expenses rather than raising taxes?
We needed the park bad enough to go into $15 million in loans. Did we really need to spend that much money on a Daly wannabe park?
I agree about the Park. It is not necessary at this time. We always hear it will be a winfall for economic development. I mean really how many times have we all heard that and just the opposite was true?
I really wish we could stop calling it the police "palace". Aurora is the second biggest city in Illinois, and a new state-of the art police station is needed.
Besides, a small amount of police officers spend an eight hour shift in the station. This station is for the citizens of Aurora, and is also a representation of our city for all that will enter the court facilty, and conducting other business.
Right, most of the police officers are on the street. Few police officers will use it. If Weisner was smart, which we all know now he's not, he would have built smaller, regional stations to serve the community better. The low-lifes that come into the branch court with their sleezy lawyers don't really care what they see when they enter.
Give me a break. This is a job to make others richer; and to waste taxpayer's money.
If the police truly need a new station, then build it. If they need a new headquarters building, build it. I'm all for building an up to date facility, however, you have to do this smart. If you need a larger building, you will need to cut corners on certain 'upgrades' that are on the "we don't NEED it, but it would really be nice to have" list. If you build a smaller, more conservative facility, then you can have a few more of those "nice to haves."
On the debt situation, why don't we ask the mayor and his staff if they would go buy a home that is 61% more expensive than their current living accommodations. More importantly, let's ask their banks if they'd finance it... If either answer is no, then I'd say that this spending first and asking questions later needs to stop.
and if their answer is yes, they probably need to get a clue...
Leonard,
I have posted several things to the Beacon Blog and have not been censored. That is unfortunate you feel that way.
Mike Cetera responded to my question as to why the Beacon rewrote my comment and in pertinent part this is what he wrote.
“I'm not sure what you're talking about. We don't edit comments. We either accept them or reject them. Please find below the full text of the e-mail we received. I think you'll find we published exactly what was submitted.”
With the exception of spelling errors corrected, this is what I wrote in my comment to the Beacon blog.
“If the Tessitore memo is correct in its analysis of the condition of the zoning law and classification of the land on which the Planned Planned building is located and it appears to be correct, then there is a very real and very basic question that needs to be considered.”
“In short who is minding the store?”
“How it that the city staff does not know or cannot read the zoning ordinance and make a correct determination of something seemingly as simple as determining the correct zoning classification on a parcel of land. Further, just as importantly just what process is required under the zoning ordinance to be sure that all requirements have been met like a public hearing when required.”
“These people are paid a lot of money, too much in my opinion, so what are we getting for the money?”
“In this instance not much.”
This is what was ultimately posted on the Beacon blog. Anyone reading this can make their own decision as to whether my comment was edited.
Posted by: Leonard | October 1, 2007 07:50 AM
“I have read what was posted by V. Tessitore on Openlineblog.com and it reads that there was a modification of the 1973 annexation agreement "Only the uses that are permitted uses on December 7, 1993 or which subsequently became permitted uses in a B-B Business Boulevard District of the Zoning Ordinance shall be permitted uses in the Business Areas of the Region to which this modification applies."
“In this instance, it appears that the City is lying. The 1973 annexation agreement cannot stand if it was modified in 1993. The Beacon news should do some investigative reporting into this. I don't think the City can just lie like that; it appears they want this clinic to open even if they break all the laws. Furthermore, in 1993 we had special use zoning; and it appears this would fall under the special use provision in the zoning code.”
“If the City is lying, it is the duty of the newspaper to bring this to the taxpayer's light. If the paper just goes along with the lie, then they are just as guilty of deception.”
Irrespective of my posting this think about the last two sentences appearing immediately above. Dave Parro or someone at the Beacon wrote those words. That might be fodder for a blog post.
I recommend that you think carefully before you ever post to the Beacon blog.
B. Matilda
Thank you for the comment and please do not misunderstand but this is not a function of feeling that way. It is a function of knowing that my comment was rewritten.
The above comment proves that.
I have asked openline to remove my earlier post of this date which discussed the Beacon blog and its operation. I misunderstood something which now negates my comment and it should be removed.
Is there a procedure to impeach the mayor? If so, does anyone know how to get the ball rolling?
The total proposed 2008 City Budget includes $433.0 million of revenues. Of this amount, $102.6 million is from bond proceeds. The specific revenues and expenditures associated with the bonds are as follows:
1. 2008 GO Bond Fund (for the new Police Headquarters and E911 Equipment), Fund 343:
Revenues: $87.6 million (excluding grant proceeds)
Expenditures: Police Headquarters 2008 $36.5 million (excluding grant-supported expenditures of $520,500)
2009 $34.6 million
E911 Equipment 2008 $6.5 million (excluding grant-supported expenditures of $1.5 million)
2009 $7.0 million
Bond issuance costs have been omitted above.
2. 2008 TIF Bond Fund (for River Area TIF Districts): Fund 344:
Revenues: $15.0 million
Expenditures: 2007 (Reimbursement) $2.5 million
2008 $10.0 million
2009 $2.5 million
As of 12/31/06, the city's outstanding debt was as follows:
GO $101.4 million
Water $34.5 million
TIF $10.3 million
Golf $4.2 million
Total $150.4 million
During 2007, we will make the following principal payments:
GO $8.3 million
Water $0.4 million
TIF $1.5 million
Golf $0.2 million
Total $10.4 million
Therefore, in 2008 after the issuance of the new bonds, we will owe approximately the following:
GO $180.7 million
Water $34.1 million
TIF $23.8 million
Golf $4.0 million
Total $242.6 million
I believe this answers all your questions.
Hey! Aurora Taxpayers just don't realize the amount of waste in city spending- or how much more they pay in taxes compared to surrounding communities!!!!!
Shame on them!
By 2010 aurora's debt will be paid by a mostly minority population- and the Fat Cats will be sitting pretty!!
Weisner will get another 4 years to help his friends and then bail as Aurora
starts reeling from his fast and loose financial dealings.
Another obsessive post. Maybe,since this is a world wide site (lol) the Cook County 2% county tax raise to make it 11%, which at 9% is already the highest in the nation, would merit a post. Nope. Again the $127,000 is an estimate to go out for bid. Maybe it will come in higher!!! (lol) The 37 million figure is wrong. Quit lying Openline. Tell the truth. 26.7 million MAY be reimbursed using TIF money. To be decided in oh, maybe 10 years. Maybe it will be higher! Maybe it will be zero.
As Openline likes to predict gloom and doom, I predict Aurora at this rate will fall into the Fox River and disappear in about 7 years (lol).
Remember, Stover saved 100 milion dollars so the next guy could spend it. That my dear friends is the biggest blunder of all time when an ex Police Chief who becomes Mayor cannot get a police station built. It is about time someone is in office who can get results by the only way possible and that is by action. The real question is can Openlines heart survive 4 more years of Tom. When is the lawsuits and impeachmments gonna happen(lol). The feds are all over the Chicago area: mob trials, Rosemont, they know it all and it is not gonna happen. Fitzy knows it all. Read my lips, not gonna happen. And again, I am not in the Weisner camp. Nor the Beacons. Congrats by the way on the awards.
Someone remind me on the local praise Open hands out. Seems mostly negative to me. He is hard at work getting the scoop on the Barsanti report. His post outa be good. I anticipate at least 2 flaws in the Barsanti Report that Openline finds. He is that good!
10:19
Leonard is trying to lay blame at someone else's doorstep. He made comments that he later regretted. He's doesn't want to own up and admit his mistake. He's embarrassed.
Don't believe a blog, residents should file a Freedom of Information act and find out for themselves what kind of financial mess the City is in.
Hey! Why don't Openline heroes Steffy and Ricky step up and vote 'no' on all these expenditures??
Oops!
Too busy paying her CRONY developers tax money "grants" to flip houses? Too busy "beautifying" the ALLEYS???????
Tom Weisner gets away with this s**t because he knows he has a council full of fellow travelers!
Please list these "CRONY" developers who are flipping houses? I only know of Theodia Gillespie working on her house on Lincoln and is doing a wonderful job. Is she a crony??? Last I checked, the housing market is dead so there is no flipping.
What about Mike Saville? All his tear downs with Taxpayer money. That four flat could have been a great place if the City cared, now it's a vacant lot. What a waste. Saville tells his realtor buddies which houses he wants to buy; and they list it and get the commission. Talk about corruption; start there.
10/1/07 7:40 PM
Chris Buy my crap is posting again. You can always tell because he has not respect for anyone; and he only loves to hear himself talk. Glad to have you back on the blog,
Ald. Lawrence, Kifowit and Irvin voted NO on the debt of that stupid park. At least they are trying to look out for the taxpayer's best interest. All the rest are just rubber stamp zombies.
10/1/07 9:34 PM
Don't kid yourself. Irvin is bought and paid for by the state GOP (look at his D-2s from mayor's race), Lawrence LOVES to ride on other peoples ideas, and Stephanie is the ONLY sane person in the whole mix with the education and background to understand the complex issue of munipal finance. Unfortunatly she is not currently in the position to exact any kind of change with a Weisener (put in place by the state Dems) GOP dominated City Council. It would take people in the City to actually get off their lazy asses to opnely back her for mayor.... this includes talking with your check book, not your blog posts. She has a better report with the voters that Lawrence or any other potential challanger.
10/1/07 4:42 P.M.
I am not embarrassed about any comment that I have posted on this or any other blog.
What I am embarrassed about is my immediate knee jerk and over reaction to what I believed was a rewrite of my comment on the Beacon blog. I was in a hurry and misread the blog and as a result of that haste I accused the moderators of the Beacon blog of rewriting my comment.
Upon review of the situation I came to realize my mistake and I am attempting to rectify the situation vis a vis the Beacon blog and the person whose comment I mistakenly believed was a rewrite of my own.
After writing this I guess it does have to do with “owning up”. However, this owning up is being able to recognize an error and take steps to correct it.
TO: 10/1/07 6:38 PM
You don’t need a FOIA to find out what kind of financial mess the City is in, you can go to the city’s website and review each of the alderman expenses.
http://www.aurora-il.org/finance/ward_lists.asp
BTW the whole city council gets to vote for those expenses
Way to go for all of you who voted for the idiot Weisner!!!! Waisting millions of dollars, shady business deals, bad media attention, and now he's going to raise taxes..You got what you asked for!
Weisner is raising property taxes like that of Naperville to price out the mexicans and prevent more from moving in. He's not all bad.
That won't work. The mexicans will just get some more people to move in with them to share the expenses.
The Mexicans all rent you fool...They dont pay taxes on a house/multi-unit house. Plus, with 10 people living in a two bedroom apartment, its not that expensive for them..And dont forget we have welfare to help them along. They cant afford foot, diapers and school supplies for their children, but they can have new SUVs with 22in. rims and stereo systems...Keep working, millions on welfare depend on you!
Which candidate held up the budget book and was ridiculed by Tommy and for caring about our money?
I believe it was Bill Wyatt. Am I right?
some of you are dumb. GO bonds are the only ones paid for by property taxes - the other debts are paid from various funds that generate their own revenues and are not tied to the general property tax levy.
the total GO debt of the city is small compared to their actual budget. The other debts are paid for by dedicated revenue sources.
how many of you earn as much as you are in debt on your house ? the city's debt is less than what it takes in every year and the city has the TOP bond/credit rating for a city in Illinois by Moodys. That is because they have great diverse sources of revenues. Sorry but Aurora is NOT poor and struglling except maybe the people who run this blog. Aurora is in GREAT financial shape.
TIF bonds are paid back by increment in EAV in a tif area .
Water bonds are paid back with wateer revenues.
you people know NOTHING about municipal finance. Go back to your deprived lives and leave the government accounting to people who know what they are doing.
To Mr. Smarty Pants.
TIF bonds are paid for by revenue produced by new construction in the TIF. In this case; there is ZERO money in the TIF therefore, the bonds have to be paid by guess what the General Fund (or in this case it is being paid for by the Gaming Taxes). The Park does not produce any taxes, so the $15 million for the park will be paid back if anything were to be built there; until then guess what? It needs to be paid for out of the General Fund (or in this case the Gaming Taxes). Shodeen is expected to cost the City about $50 million (it is a pay as you go plan so Shodeen get's all his money upfront and the City has to repay itself from anything built there). This money has to come from somewhere and it's either going to be the General Fund or the Gaming Tax Fund.
If new casinos open in Chicago what do you think will happen to our casino -- pretty much go out of business. Then all this debt will have to be paid for out of the General Fund, and that would mean raising taxes.
Therefore, since you are sooooo smart; how are we going to pay for things where there is NO MONEY coming in from those TIF districts??? Bad move.
Also, Weisner is spending all our savings. Therefore, if something were to happen to our money coming in -- such as a shortage in Gaming Tax, lower sales tax money, etc. we have NOTHING to fall back on. As in regular household finance; BAD MOVE!
Also, how is the City going to pay the $100 million it owes for retiree health insurance? Oh wait, the general fund. There is a lot more debt than meets the eye.
Mayor Stover got us that Bond rating; NOT WEISNER. If the City was in such great shape financially, why is it crying poor in every contract negotiation? You are full of crap. There comes a point in time when raising fees; raising taxes; and property taxes will start to backfire. There is no more money there people are willing to pay.
Regardless of the funds, and the dedicated source of funding; the City operates a $400 million budget and it is expected to have debt in as much as $250 million? That is over 1/2 our annual budget. No matter what you think, that is not healthy.
Whatever LeeRoy, keep your head up the Mayor's A$$. Lets run up all the credit cards in this ole town because we can and see how much fun we can have. Then leave the mess for the next person, right Tommy Boy?
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