SEE WHAT JOHN DID!

Chicago Heights City Clerk/Finance Director, John M. Costabile started out his budget last May by eliminating one part time meter reader and one full time clerk's position saving over $25,000 in annual payroll costs. Two new programs were then initiated which are increasing efficiency in operations and resulting in increased revenue for the city.

The first change which is being adopted one step at a time to reduce the impact of change is a new meter reading system for the city's predominantly inside water meter system. Residents are responding as high as 85% by writing their water readings on new water bills, in the lower right hand corner. This has eliminated the need for attempted quarterly readings which resulted in door hangers being left at most accounts for the mailing or phoning in of readings. Now only cards requesting an annual inspection are left at residences which have not had an actual reading in the past nine months. By having meter readers read "appointment meters" in 15 minute intervals that they preindicate to staff as "reserved reading time blocks", more actual readings are resulting at what were once hard to reach accounts. The system gets easier each cycle as fewer accounts remain unread on a annual interval. The new program has eliminated the need to stop at every home each cycle, and further efficiencies are expected by a new automated estimating system and more frequent billing of accounts. The expected results are increased cash flow, more timely collection, lower individual water bills, and a more efficient use of meter reader field time.

The second change adopted by the City Clerk's Office was the addition of a new data base and collection system that has generated more revenue in its first three phases and is expected to generate even more revenue in its fourth and fifth phase. To date over $80,000 in additional revenue had been received from vehicle sticker sales. The new system's first step was the generation of bills from an expanded data base in May 1990 due by July 2, 1990.

The second step was a second notice after the due date adding the previously indicated $20.00 increase in fee if not paid by August 1, 1990 which while waived this year as part of the program introduction will be charged next year except on additional vehicle purchases. The third step was moratorium collections in August to mid September before the fourth step of issuing tickets by mail. The fifth step will be a physical blitz by the police department on any vehicles that may have missed the system. City Clerk/Finance Director, John M. Costabile expects additional revenue to exceed $100,000 in the second year of the program when the $20.00 late fee is a mandatory charge. •

John M. Costabile, a former public school teacher, earned a master of arts degree from Governors State University in public service in 1982. He has been employed by the City of Chicago Heights, population 32,703 per 1990 census, since 1975.

Page 22 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1990