Predictions of a More Congenial Yorkville City Council

Yorkville’s new aldermen won’t be sworn in for another month, but some leaders say they are optimistic they will usher in a more congenial atmosphere – if not an immediate end to the city’s financial woes.

Mayor-elect seemingly has a strong majority working with him on the Yorkville City Council. , like Golinski, were labeled fiscally conservative during the campaign won by strong majorities.

Plus, Golinski gets to appoint someone to fill the Ward 2 alderman seat he’s leaving. He said he plans to seek applications from the community and bring a few finalists before the new council before appointing someone to that office.

But Ward 4 Alderman , who supported Golinski and was re-elected after serving 13 years on the council, said she doesn’t expect that automatically there will be a six-person voting bloc supporting Golinski’s positions.

“I think we’re going to have individual votes and opinions,” Spears said. “And we’ll have real discussion and debate.”

, who will transition from city clerk to Ward 2 alderman, said she hopes officials remember their resolve to remain professional – although history is not on their side.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been there for 10 years and it’s been going on for 10 years,” Milschewski said.

Milschewski said she hopes the council’s image improves within six months but figures it will take the city longer than that to dig out of its financial quagmire.

Ward 4 Alderman Diane Teeling, who supported both Golinski’s and Spears’ opponents, said she is optimistic after talking with Golinski and some of the newcomers.

“It’s hard during an election to get to know someone who is running against someone you’re supporting,” Teeling said. “Now it’s over and we’ve got to work together.”

Teeling said she was pleased Ward 1 Alderman-elect reached out to her through email. She said she also has spent time talking with Ward 3 Alderman-elect and Milschewski since last week’s election.

But she acknowledged she could be in the minority compared to the majority of the aldermen who supported Golinski’s mayoral run.

“It is what it is,” Teeling said. “They’re stuck with me as much as maybe I think I’m stuck with them.”

The new City Council will be well positioned to refinance or otherwise manage the sewer fund debt that compelled aldermen , Teeling said.

Those property taxes, as well as the revenue from the sales tax increase voters approved, provide the revenue streams leaders need to refinance the sewer fund debt, Teeling said. , Golinski said he wanted to explore refinancing that debt, which likely would lead to a property-tax reduction.

It’s not clear whether any major financial changes will be made in the coming fiscal year, which starts May 1. The City Council approved a budget plan, 6-2, Tuesday, with Spears and Ward 1 Alderman George Gilson Jr. voting against it.

Gilson, who has traditionally been a minority voice on the council, unsuccessfully suggested aldermen cut the during a Saturday budget workshop. On Tuesday he said he thought more cuts should be made to that department, the Parks and Recreation Department, the REC Center and other areas.

After Tuesday's meeting, Golinski said he expects the new City Council will make some budget changes. He said he "was sure" there would be some changes to city staff but did not detail what they would be. He said he needed to talk with Yorkville City Administrator Bart Olson and run them by the aldermen.