Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says he’s hoping for a decision on one of two hovering issues at next week’s (Sept 1st) City Council meeting. Williams says when it comes to pay for aldermen, and the question of should the pay be based on a “per diem” basis; he’d like to see a final vote next Tuesday. At previous meetings, Aldermen and mayoral candidates Doug Ahrens and Tricia Teague have both stated preferences for aldermen being paid by meeting attendance, with Teague also calling for higher pay for Aldermen.
Meanwhile, there’s the ongoing issue of whether or not the city treasurer position should be changed from elected to appointed. At the last full City Council meeting, Corporation Counsel Leon Parker stated that Chicago area law firm Klein, Thorpe, & Jenkins is being consulted for their opinion on the issue, in connection with the written consent decree that called for the position to be elected when the change was made to an aldermanic form of government in the late 80s.
During Tuesday night’s (Aug 25th) Public Services Committee meeting, Teague brought up the question of how much the services of the outside firm is costing the city. Teague was told $320 per hour, but there was no definite answer when Teague followed up by asking how many hours of service the city is going to end up paying for. She reflected upon that to CIMG after the meeting.
AUDIO: If you’re talking about 10 hours, 20 hours, 100 hours, I don’t know. This is a situation that is not common, which is why we need assistance. And so, if it takes an exorbitant amount of time, I’m hoping that there’s a cap on how much we might be spending on this.
Mayor Williams says he believes this is an investment that can help solve the issue.
AUDIO: I’m not concerned; I think it’s important that we have a strong guidance on this matter.
Meanwhile, Alderman Rick Strebing reminded everyone that this is the weekend for the boat races at the Gao Grotto. Practice will be 3:30 to 6 PM Friday; and races will be 11 to 5:30 Saturday, along with 11 to 4 on Sunday.
