November 27, 2010
By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter
The first installment of the "Follow the Money" series focus on the Village of Bolingbrook's 2010/11 Annual Budget.
As highlighted in the previous article, the Police department budget is
approximately $16.9 million, which is 31% of the total budget in the General Fund.
According to the Village "Summary of Personnel for 2010/11", the police department has a total of 188 employees.
SWORN PERSONNEL 115
Chief 1
Deputy Chief 1
Commanders 2
Lieutenants 7
Sergeants 14
Police Officers 90*
NON-SWORN - PAID 64
Admin./Secretary 6
Dispatch Supervisors 2
Dispatchers 16*
Records Clerk 5
Animal Control Supervisor 1
Animal Control Officers 2
P/T Animal Control Officers 1*
Code Enforcement Officers 4*
Bailiff 1
Crime Prevention Specialist 1
Crime Analyst 1
Crossing Guards 24
NON-SWORD - Unpaid 9
Reserve Officers 9*
* discrepancy in Village records.
What type of jobs were cut?
The Village "Summary of Personnel" is showing a net loss of 32 jobs in the police department. Most of the job cuts were non-sworn personnel, which are the lower paid jobs.
In regards to sworn-personnel, the board cut 6 police officers, yet failed to examine the administrator jobs. What about the top brass that's raking in the big bucks in salary and benefits?
This is the same issue with the Public Works department. Both departments are "top heavy". If Mayor Claar and the Village board really want to cut cost, and save taxpayers' money, then address the administrator jobs in both departments.
Which highly paid Administrator positions deserve a second look?
Sergeant 14 on staff ($101k/year)
Since the primary responsibility of a sergeant is to manage the officers in the field, it's important to have adequate supervision. Therefore, the sergeants assigned to the Platoons (8), POP Units (2) and investigations (1) are all important and necessary.
The sergeant positions that deserve a second look are -
* Traffic/Special Events 1 Sergeant
* Professional Standards 1 Sergeant
* Code Enforcement 1 Sergeant
"Special Events" Team
Why do we need 2 highly paid administrators designated to "Special Events"? Can you list on one hand the major events in Bolingbrook? Doubt it.
* Lieutenant 1 (appx. $106k )
* Sergeant 1 (appx. $101k )
What happened to the Social Workers?
According to the "Summary of Personnel", the one and only Social Worker position was eliminated. How can a police department, in a community of 72,000 with a $16.9 million budget justify not having at least one social worker on staff? Or at least contracted out?
Where's the on-site counseling for crime victims?
Did the Village not think the position was important enough?
Final Word
The fact that Mayor Claar and the Village board failed to cut any of the highly paid Administrators in both the Police and Public Works department is disturbing.
This is not an isolated case. It appears government on all levels, and in many parts of the country have trouble with controlling cost. Just think about the "top heavy" budgets for school districts across the country.
The police department's primary goal is to protect the streets. Theoretically, the last jobs cut should be police officers, social workers and primary support staff.
The highly paid administrators should be the first jobs targeted. Not the cops on the street, or social workers.
Enough with my opinion. Please feel free to send us your comments.
