City Councilmembers held a public hearing for Evanston’s proposed 2025 budget with no resident comment during its Monday meeting.
The projected deficit of $38.7 million is a 12.7% increase from the 2024 adopted budget.
The budget includes funds to renovate Bent Park Field House after it caught fire in 2022. Councilmembers voted 8-0 to approve a change order that would raise the contract amount from about $620,000 to $800,000 and extend the project timeline by several months.
Despite voting in favor of the change order, Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) said she was concerned about the high price. Parks and Recreation Department Director Audrey Thompson said the changes, which include adding restrooms, would help return recreational camps and other outdoor programming.
Ald. Thomas Suffredin (6th)’s ward includes Bent Park. He said the renovations were necessary to maintain the field house.
“None of us are thrilled to have a substantial change order this early in the process, but also, none of us really chose to undertake this project,” Suffredin said. “It was thrust upon us three years ago.”
Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) suggested a longer contractor bidding process to lower costs for future projects. He also said he wanted to allow contractors to inspect buildings earlier. That way, the council could know the extent of repairs sooner.
Earlier in the meeting, Ald. Devon Reid (8th) said he was disappointed with the lack of participation in the public hearing.
“Shame on us that the council is discussing a nearly $400 million budget and not a single person signed up,” Reid said. “That’s not democracy. That’s not what our community represents.”
Burns pointed to the Finance and Budget Committee, which meets every month, as an alternative space for public input. He said more residents might engage in joint ward budget meetings in the next two weeks.
During public comment, 8th ward resident Vanessa Frost said over 2,000 Evanston residents engaged in participatory budgeting.
“We just wanted to remind you that we do have a certain concern about budget, and we do like to be in the know,” Frost said. “We also want to know how the projects are being funded.”
The council also praised the Evanston Police Department and Crisis Alternative Response Evanston after each group gave updates for city manager announcements.
Burns and Ald. Juan Geracaris (9th) both asked Police Chief Schenita Stewart about recruitment and retention. The department has 17 vacancies, Burns said.
“Our PD has had a difficult 2024, and the men and women of this organization have done an exceptional job,” Stewart said. “We go above and beyond to deal with this community. No offense, but to be proactive the way we do it, I think we’re doing a hell of a job.”
The Finance and Budget Committee met at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
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