Parks director asks committee to allow $10,000–$15,000 exterior restoration of Shavona memorial

Ken (last name not specified in the meeting record), who presented the parks department budget to the LaSalle County Finance and TIF Committee on Sept. 9, said most line-item changes are minor but highlighted a need for a significant exterior restoration of the Shavona memorial.

“The estimate I got was about $10,000 to $15,000 to fix that,” Ken said, referring to exterior work and not replacement of the monument itself. He said that amount drove an increase in the department’s general maintenance and repair line.

Other budget notes: Ken said machine and vehicle maintenance needs had decreased because staff had done more in-house repairs and the department had already purchased some equipment, reducing replacement needs for the coming year. He reported electricity costs have increased because a newer building uses electric heat rather than propane, and noted modest increases in vehicle maintenance and waste disposal budgets. Ken told the committee he is budgeting for potential equipment for the new building — a smart interactive display and other audiovisual items — but said exact needs and costs were not yet determined.

Committee members asked whether equipment and mowing budgets are sufficient; Ken said most mowing is performed under professional services for landscaping contracts, and site-improvement spending was lower this year because one-time expenses related to a new bathroom, well and septic had been charged in the prior year. The presenter said payroll increases reflect previously approved county salary changes.

No committee action was taken at the meeting; Ken invited questions and said he would provide line-item figures if committee members needed them.