Du Quoin Council Targets Overtime

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Du Quoin Police Chief Mike Ward, Fire Chief Brett Crain, street superintendent Jerry Morgan, water superintendent Jeff Whitley and water reclamation plant superintendent Phil Brandenburg all sat together as members of the Du Quoin City Council Monday night adjourned into executive session to consider budget cuts in the city.

Mayor John Rednour had forewarned employees and the public that "it's not personal; it's just business." He said, "There are tough times ahead of us and I am not going to ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do. We were all elected to support the taxpayers of Du Quoin."

About 15 minutes into the session, department heads were called into the mayor's office to join in the discussions. As all emerged, commissioner Rex Duncan said the focus was paring overtime as much as possible, except in the case of emergencies like a water line break. He said public safety (police and fire departments) would essentially remain intact. Mayor John Rednour commented recently that the city would, however, take advantage of the savings from any retirements or resignations and that those people may not be replaced. Rednour said the city spends about $100,000 a year in overtime, and that paring that back would be a big step toward fending against budget problems. "Du Quoin has the best packages of wages and benefits in Southern Illinois," said the mayor.

In other action, the Du Quoin City Council:

Approved Ordinance 2008-O10-01: An ordinance establishing an Identity Theft Prevention Program as required by Federal Regulations.-Final Approval

Ordinance 2008-O10-02: An ordinance amending the current telecommunications tax rate-Final Approval

Ordinance 2008-O10-03: An ordinance establishing fees for citizen requests that involve charges to the City.-Final Approval

Tabled Ordinance 2008-O10-04: An ordinance authorizing the sale of personal property-Final Approval

Approve/award bid for the demolition of the property located at 401 South Walnut Street

Approve to renew the AMTRAK Lease agreement for use of the depot