Spending Money to Save Money?

Village Manager Steve Gulden said several new staffers will help boost the village’s bottom line. During Wednesday night’s budget meeting, he presented a plan to hire several new village employees, including an emergency vehicle mechanic.

With a salary of $103,600, the new employee would be a certified fire engine mechanic—a position Gulden said will save the village money in the long run and even generate revenue.

“Right now, we spend about $125,000 (per year) sending our fire vehicles out for repair,” Gulden said. By bringing the work in house, the village could save money and earn revenue by offering repair service to other local fire departments, he added.

The new mechanic would also repair public works vehicles. Gulden estimated the position could generate $10,000 in revenue during fiscal year 2011-12, and more than $50,000 annually in subsequent years.

Trustee Sue Micklevitz questioned whether other departments would take advantage of the repair service.

“It’s a great idea if other communities would buy into it,” she said.

According to Fire Chief Kent Adams, they would.

“The Will County Fire Chief’s Association is looking for joint projects,” he said. “Number one on their list of priorities is a mechanic.”

Currently, Romeoville fire vehicles are taken to McHenry for repair.

“There really isn’t anything in this area,” Adams said. “We might have a vehicle out for a month … we don’t have immediate service.”

Another money-saving position touted by Gulden is a part-time safety training coordinator post. The staffer would earn $29,500 by coordinating safety training programs with the goal of bringing workman’s compensation claims down.

The budget proposal also includes money set aside to fill several positions left vacant since last year. That includes $81,000 for a new police officer, $226,000 for two fire department battalion chiefs and $25,800 to add two lieutenants.

Union employees would receive a contractual 2 percent cost-of-living increase and step increase based on their level of experience. Non-union staffers, who did not get a raise last year, would also receive a 2 percent cost-of-living increase and step increase.

Gulden estimated health insurance costs will increase by 15 percent next year.

“We’re hoping it’s less,” he said.