On Tuesday, Dec. 23, in a complete about-face, City Council voted to approve Mayor Michael O'Connor's proposed 0% increase for Berwyn taxpayers.

 

Aldermen Nona Chapman (1st), Mark Weiner (3rd), and Robert Lovero (7th), who had previously supported a 5% tax increase in Committee of the Whole discussions, reversed their positions to vote in favor of the Mayor's recommendation.  The levy was approved by a 5-1 vote, with only Ald. Thomas Day (5th) dissenting and Aldermen Michele Skryd (4th) and Joel Erickson (8th) absent.

 

Mayor O'Connor's 0%-increase tax levy holds 2009 payments to the Fire and Police Pension Funds steady at the 2008 level.  The city will still contribute over $3.9 million in total to the two funds in 2009—over $500,000 more than was contributed by the city as recently as 2005, when, in addition, Mayor O’Connor’s new administration had to make up pension fund payments which had been skipped in 2004.

 

The approved tax levy will help fund a 2009 budget presented by the Mayor that proposes holding the line on salary increases for any employees, including the mayor, not already under contract, but which calls for no employee layoffs or cuts in services. 

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