I agree there needs to be checks and balances. The city is in poor shape financially and it needs to buckle down. I no longer live in the city anymore so I really can't complain about high taxes. And I understand city residents concern about raising taxes. But at this point it’s a necessary evil that they may need to consider. 

Officers are better used elsewhere rather than issuing parking violations. And yes there are some city departments that need to make sacrifices and maybe not ask for as much as they are asking for. But I know people complain about crime and vandalism in the city. How is taking an officer off the road to issue parking violations beneficial?  I know that it can be worked in to an officer’s daily tasks, but there will never be as many parking tickets issued as would be with a Parking Enforcement Officer. I believe whole heartedly that the PEO is necessary to the city budget along with all the employees involved in law enforcement and fire control. My opinion will not change on that subject. I do not have a clear cut resolution for the cities financial situation by any means and don’t pretend to. There has to be other ways to balance the budget without sacrificing services though.

One idea would be to tax the Lake Forest retirement community, along with other business' that are reaping the benefits and not contributing to the city financially. Raise the cost of electricity usage a little bit. The city has sacrificed a lot when it comes to community event and services as a result of budget problems. How much more can it take before it can't even offer a reason to be proud to a resident of this great city? Mayors Cup has been whittled down to the bare minimum, city recreational activities have been cut to the bare bones. Snow removal seems a little less this year which I am sure saves the city money. It will only get worse before it gets better but I think that is a trend you will see locally and nationally given the situation we as a country are in. We need to ride it through and eventually it will get better I am sure. I have rambled enough though. In closing Ill say cutting important services is not always the best answer it’s only a quick resolution that may only cause more headaches in the future.  

Kibble, The position of Parking Enforcement Officer is a valid position in the city. It provides much revenue for the city. And it is cost effective contrary to what people say. Find out how much revenue the tickets he wrote were compared to his salary. And then find out what the city ACTUALLY collected in fines.  And do you really expect a Patrol Officer to be able to enforce parking violations on top of the rest of his/her normal daily activities. I am sorry but parking tickets would probably be the last thing on his/her mind. There are always ways to cut expenses, but the city should not cut the hand that actually works at getting the city money consistently. You take the PEO off the streets that means a Patrol Officer is stuck doing it when he/she could be actually assisting with an emergency that they are needed at. You don’t cut Public Safety/Fire Control budgets. That just never made sense to me. Unless John Q public likes knowing fewer officers are on the road to protect them.