More than $6 million in federal money flowing into DeKalb has been labeled government waste by one national organization.

Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, included DeKalb and NIU in its 2005 Congressional Pig Book.

The federal government wasted $3 million on NIU’s Future Family Health Wellness and Literary center, which will be located in the recently purchased Monsanto building on Route 23 and Bethany Road, according to the CAGW Web site.

“The budget process is in such chaos that Congress adds projects at the very last minute with very little scrutiny or oversight,” said Lauren Cook, media associate for CAGW. “So there is no way of determining which projects are worthy and which aren’t.”

Some city officials disagree with the CAGW’s claims.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said the CAGW is misguided and that money in most communities is raised at the local, state and federal levels.

“I hardly doubt that any money coming toward the city of DeKalb could have been a misappropriation,” Sparrow said.

Others said government waste is kept to a minimum through federal agencies.

All projects funded fully or partially by the federal government are examined closely by federal agencies, such as the Government Accountability Office, said Gerald Gabris, director of the NIU department of public administration.

In times when budget deficits are a problem, it is normal for citizens to worry about the future and to be extra cautious about government spending, Gabris said.

CAGW also listed the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 3232 Pleasant St., as a waste of federal money because of a $700,000 expansion and the widening two taxiways.

Although some may see this project as an improvement to the community, local projects should be fully funded at the state and local level without the federal government being involved, Cook said.

Gabris said he agrees it is fairly normal for senators and representatives to help push local appropriations through Congress.

The CAGW’s Congressional Pig Book is issued yearly and is available at its Web site, www.cagw.org.