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Crest Hill alderwoman questions $2,920 holiday-tree purchase and whether committee sponsorships are rolled into general fund
Summary
An alderwoman questioned a $2,920 holiday-tree purchase and whether sponsorship donations for city events should be held in event-specific accounts rather than pooled into the general fund; the city administrator defended the purchase as within his spending authority and said staff will bring options to a future workshop with auditors.
Alderman Giselle (name used in the meeting transcript) raised concerns during the Nov. 3 council meeting about a $2,920 tree purchase listed among the city's bills and broader transparency about sponsorship or donation funds raised for council committees and community events.
"I don't understand why the council was not aware of this, why we never discussed it," the alderwoman said, questioning staff for purchasing a large tree from a vendor in West Chicago rather than accepting a previously offered donated tree and asking why sponsorship funds for events are not kept in event-specific accounts.
City Administrator Blaine explained that staff had identified a window of five days to procure and install a tree of the required size and that the purchase was made under his spending authority. Blaine said public-works landscaping funds include approximately $15,000 remaining in a $20,000 authorization, and staff determined the purchase and one-year warranty were necessary to include the tree in the holiday program.
On the question of sponsorship funds, council members and staff noted that donations are received into the city's account, tracked by activity code, and spent for the event; if the council prefers to carry forward unspent donations to the next fiscal year, that can be done explicitly in the budget process or by agreement with donors. Council members suggested auditing guidance and recommended the auditors present options at a future work session to clarify whether and how donation revenue should be treated or segregated.
Alderman Giselle said she still preferred that committee sponsorship funds remain with the event line item and asked for better communication about purchases. Mayor Solomon and staff agreed to bring the donations/rollover question to a future workshop with auditors. No ordinance or new policy was adopted at the meeting; the exchange concluded with an assurance staff will present options to the council.
