As part of DeKalb’s budgeting process, the city council approved spending $60,000 for a Washington lobbyis next year.

Fifth Ward Alderman Pat Conboy was concerned about travel expenses submitted to the city. It was billed lobbyist’s trip to persuade the city to rehire her.

Baker asked whether the lobbyist may have been in town to also visit with another client, NIU, and whether they should be billed.

“I asked that we receive more data as to what the specific expenses were for,” Conboy said. He later said that “overall, in terms of the benefits provided by the lobbyist, I think it’s an advantage provided to the city.”

Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker said the consultant is necessary and he “could not see why anyone would question the expense because the results are coming in.”

The city has employed the Daley Policy Group for eight years, said DeKalb City Manager Mark Biernacki.

“[The lobbyist] has been very successful in bringing to DeKalb millions of dollars – far in excess of what it costs to retain her,” he said.

The city continues work on the FY05 budget for final adoption by July 1.

The budget includes for the first time a five-year plan for the general fund, Biernacki said. It allows the city to form a strategy and see potential future impact of its decisions.

The budget also reflects the move of the information and technology division from Public Works to administration.

The city also is creating a development services fund, from which the city will pay for an engineer and a plumbing inspector, said Linda Wiggins, director of administrative services..

She said it will receive money from inspection fees generated by those positions.