Palos Hills aldermen voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the city’s appropriations ordinance, a measure that provides the council some financial leeway in case of emergencies.
The vote came after no one showed up to speak at a scheduled public hearing on the proposed ordinance.
The amount appropriated is nearly double the actual budget, allowing the city to use the additional funds only in case of unforeseen problems.
“This is procedural; all cities and towns must do this,” Finance Committee Chairman Daniel Scurek said.
City officials said the $9.3 million appropriated could be used for circumstances beyond the city’s control in order to continue providing essential services.
Earlier this year, aldermen approved the $4.5 million budget for the 1997 fiscal year.
“As a city, we never know what is going to happen during the course of a year. We could have a huge snowstorm in February, and would still have to provide services,” Scurek said.
