Budget vote held; bonuses are passed by village council

McDONALD -- Village council had emergency readings at its meeting this week for a 2006 budget ordinance as well as an ordinance approving a one-time performance bonus for 13 village employees.
The total of all general and other funds for the village this year is $3,819,339. The budget also includes certain built-in raises for several department workers, said Councilman Jim Jones, who also heads the village's finance and capital improvements committee.
Councilman Michael O'Brien voted against both ordinances, saying that incremental raises would be more beneficial in the long run to workers' retirement and wages rather than providing a one-shot lump sum.
In other business, Police Chief Lou Ronghi said that extra DUI patrols will be in operation each weekend in April and May as well as during the St. Patrick's Day weekend today through Sunday.