Action on NIles budget delayed till day after election

NILES

Passage of the city’s controversial 2016 general-fund budget will have to wait at least until council’s next regularly scheduled meeting next Wednesday.

The intent at the lightly attended special meeting Tuesday was to bring this year’s budget up for a vote, said Council President Robert Marino.

Two of council’s seven members were absent, however, meaning there were not enough legislators to suspend council’s rule requiring that legislation receive three readings.

Instead, the budget measure received a first reading via a 5-0 vote. Six council members are required to suspend the rules.

Absent were Councilman Steve Papalas, D-at large, whom Marino said was excused because of a death in his family, and Councilman Frank Pezzano, D-1st, whom Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia said was also excused.

Niles residents will vote Tuesday on a 0.5 percent city income-tax increase, bringing it to 2 percent if approved, and renewal of a 1-mill replacement levy for the parks department.

Read more about the matter in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.