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Council declines $20,000 payment to Growth Dimensions after split vote
Summary
After a public comment appeal from Growth Dimensions and a council motion to pay the budgeted $20,000, a roll‑call vote failed 3–7 and the request was not approved.
Pam Lopez Fetis of Growth Dimensions addressed the council during public comment asking that the city pay an outstanding invoice and continue the organization’s budgeted funding. She told council, “Growth Dimensions has provided services to the city of Belvidere since 1979,” and argued the nonprofit complements, rather than replaces, municipal economic development capacity.
At the council meeting the item returned as a formal funding request. City Attorney Drella explained that expenditures over the mayor’s spending limit require council approval even if budgeted. Alderman Flurry moved to authorize payment of the budgeted $20,000; Alderman Husinus seconded.
The council then conducted a roll‑call vote. The motion received three votes in favor (Aldermen Albertini, Breton and Flurry) and seven opposed (Frank, Gracowski, Hues, McGee, Montbano, Peterson and Stevens), and the motion failed. The mayor noted the original budget included the $20,000 allocation but the council declined to release the funds in this session.
No formal substitute motion to allocate a different amount was adopted; Alderman Albertini said he had proposed doing more in‑house work instead of contracting for the full amount. The record shows the council chose not to expend the funds at this meeting.
Next steps: The council did not authorize payment; the matter may return if members choose to revisit budgeting or a different funding approach.
