THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008
Chief Gould To Explain Fire Dept. Differences
Wheeling Township's Board of Trustees expected to ask Prospect Hts. Fire Chief Donald Gould numerous questions regarding the differences between a fire department and fire district at last night's (Tuesday) board meeting.
According to Josephine Stellato, director of finance and administration, Gould was expected to differentiate how a fire district operates compared to a fire department. He was also expected to give an update on the components of that specific fire district, such as the number of employees and number of calls the district receives in a day.
In other news, board members were expected to approve the tentative budgets for 2008-09.
According to Stellato, the township's Town Fund, which is equivalent to day-to-day operating expenses, is expected to decrease by $300,000 this year, compared to last year. Last year's budget was $2,971,000 and this year's amount is expected to diminish to $2,660,000.
The General Assistance Budget, which are loans and grants is expected to increase slightly to $545,000, compared to last year's amount of $510,000.
Stellato said the increase is attributed to increased gas prices and the township hiring an extra part-time employee, along with a few other minor adjustments.
The Road District Budget, which consists of repairing roads, maintenance, snowplowing, and more, is expected to top off at $398,000, $3,000 less than last year's budget.
However, the township will only receive half of the Road District money, because the remaining amount goes to the towns that reside in the township. Then, it's divided accordingly for each town, Stellato said.
The tentative budget is expected to be officially adopted in May. The township's fiscal year runs from Mar. 1 through Feb. 28.
Lastly, Fire District Trustee Robert Arends was expected to be reappointed to another three-year term during last night's (Tuesday) meeting.
Stellato said Arends wanted to serve another term and has done a "great job." She also said Gould recommended that Arends serve another term.
Arends has been serving on the Prospect Heights Fire District Board of Trustees since 1987.
A Board of Trustees consisting of five Fire District residents that are appointed to staggered terms by the Wheeling Township Board governs the Prospect Heights Fire District.
Wheeling Township is made up of approximately 95% of Prospect Heights and Wheeling, 85% of Arlington Heights, 60% of Mt. Prospect, 55% of Buffalo Grove, and small portions of Des Plaines, Northbrook and Rolling Meadows.