The City of DeKalb FY11 budget was passed at the June 28 meeting of the city council. On paper, after all the amendment dust settles, the City hopes to have a few hundred thousand dollars in surplus in its operating budget at the end of the fiscal year.

Second ward alderman Tom Teresinski acknowledged the efforts put into balancing the operating budget. He then stated that the City has a structural deficit that was once again not addressed. Fifth ward alderman Ron Naylor acknowledged the former employees that were laid off and said he wouldn’t be surprised if the council wouldn’t be facing the same tough decisions next year. Fourth ward alderman Brendon Gallagher read an article that explained that Illinois posed the greatest risk to GO bond buyers in the nation. The article said Illinois was ranked only a slightly lower financial risk than Iraq. But DeKalb taxpayers need not worry about the $1.5 million dollar in bonds the City will be issuing until 2030 to pay for the early retirement buy-outs and severance packages it took to balance the FY11 operating budget.

Structural deficit, indeed.

Rather than quit spending operating funds that the City does not have they borrow it. One year it might be from the water fund. Another year maybe its borrowed through Bond Anticipation Notes. Then from debt rollover. It was once considered bad practice to use long term debt to pay for annual operating expenses.

DeKalb entered new territory. It created long term debt for severance pay.

But, as long as revenue projections hold true, DeKalb will have a balanced FY11 operating budget. On paper.

Last month Lynn Fazekas submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain the names of the city council members who are signed up for the City of DeKalb’s health insurance plan. Her request, sent to the duly-trained and designated FOIA officer (Steve Kapitan), was referred to the City’s Legal Department who denied the request, because:

The City Legal Department asserts that HIPAA prohibits the City from disclosing whether somebody even has health insurance not just the treatment somebody has received or medical information about a person.

Fazekas was not satisfied with the decision and appealed. She recently was included in a cc’d formal letter from the Illinois Attorney General’s office to Steve Kapitan, City Clerk. The letter, dated June 22, 2010, confirmed the AG’s Public Access Counselor has “determined that further inquiry into this matter is warranted.”

from the office of the Illinois Attorney General

So it appears the City of DeKalb either has to prove its an entity covered by 45 C.F.R. or release the names of the city council members who receive health insurance from the City.

Here’s hoping the City chooses the latter. Save us from further embarrassment. The legal department had no business intervening in this FOIA request. It looks real bad to force taxpayers into paying for the local legal department and the state’s attorney general office time in this matter of transparency. It’s even worse when the question is which elected official is receiving a benefit at taxpayers’ expense.

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For full disclosure: Fazekas ran for mayor in the last election. I was a volunteer in her campaign. She is an advocate of good government. She continues to contribute to better government with or without anyone’s permission.

Times are tough and its frustrating at times but the criticism hurled about while the Egyptian Theatre Restoration Committee goes about its business of replacing the theater seats installed back in 1929 is unfounded and that makes it even more mean spirited.

The Egyptian is an anchor of downtown DeKalb. When Ron White, Gaelic Storm, Beth Fowler, the Haunted House, etc., perform the neighboring restaurants and bars are bustling. Its primary source of private revenue is rental fees. The Egyptian is utilized by more than 25 community groups each year. It is an occasional stop on the list for tour operators. The theater is also available for seminars, weddings, graduations, small parties and receptions. In addition the theater continues to show movies (classic and family films along with film festivals). The  Live Lunch Series conducted at the Downtown DeKalb Farmers’ Market has really added some pizzazz.

Based on comparative analysis limited to revenue growth, Alex Nerad, the Theatre’s operations director, is one of the top non-profit administrators in the county. Under direction of the Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre (PET), Nerad appears to be building a solid foundation as a successful destination point for arts and entertainment. The groundwork is being laid for the Egyptian Theatre to be self sufficient.

The effort to preserve its historic integrity as a landmark enhances its status as a destination point. But the theater wouldn’t survive, even with tax subsidies, if it was to become a museum. People will tour “dead things on walls” once, maybe twice. Success will be linked to the interaction between the stars on the stage and the audience in the seats. The seats are uncomfortable and in dire need of replacement. The Restoration Committee, chaired by Mary Beth Van Buer, has taken on the task to ask the community for donations to replace the chairs. That’s instead of the city council for taxes.

What’s to complain about that? I say thanks! If you disagree, click here.