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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, October 30, 2009 10:22 AM CDT
Plenty of homework ahead on
NIU study

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — Even with the Northern Illinois University government study draft in hand, Mattoon city officials have plenty of homework ahead to complete the effort.

Earlier this month, the NIU Center for Governmental Studies analysis team sent a draft of the study on Mattoon city government. The draft process requires a review by city officials to ensure all data is correct. Mattoon Interim City Administrator John Kolata is coordinating the review of that draft with commissioners and department heads. It will take several weeks, he said.

“The big question is when we’ll send the questions and comments on the draft back to the study group. Right now, the council’s plate is pretty full,” said Kolata.

The city council is facing a detailed study on zoning ordinance amendments, changes to the city personnel code, dating back to 1986, and completing the city administrator search, which was derailed when the top candidate turned down the city’s offer this month — Kolata’s interim contract is scheduled to last through the first few days when a new permanent adminstrator takes the post.

Kolata said the NIU study is too important to allow for a quick read by city officials. The council agreed earlier this year to pay $25,900 for the study through the NIU center for governmental studies for a thorough study of Mattoon operations.

“It’s not going to be a quick process. Nor should it be. So this could go into next year. And it would be up to the council on whether the new permanent administrator would look over it as well,” he explained.

The report covers 120 pages and includes an executive summary, a organizational study, data and procedural comparisons to other communities and an assessment of Mattoon city departments plus recommendations. The city is not releasing the draft at this time because so much could be amended, Kolata said.

“The bottom line on recommendations rests with the city council,” Kolata said.

He said the comparison of communities is important, but there is another factor to consider: the unique aspects of different communities.

“Every municipality is unique in some way. Mattoon has two lakes, while others don’t. Mattoon has different interstate exchanges while others don’t. Some communities up north will have a lot of snowplows, but that is not necessary here,” said Kolata, who has worked with different communities during his career.

These factors will be considered as the city works toward finalizing the study so it can help with planning in the future.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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INVICTA wrote on Oct 30, 2009 8:59 AM:

" I would think some homework is needed. We spend 26,000 dollars on a study that was supposed to be returned on July 31st and it is returned three months late. Now the council will alter the results until it says what they want it to say and send it back to NIU. Maybe next year we may see a version acceptable to the council? The city seems to be saying "The dog ate our homework".
The council has made so many changes since the study took place and are currently planning more changes so that now the study will no longer be relevant. I think the public should see what they paid for, not just what the council wants them to see. "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 30, 2009 5:42 PM:

" I wonder if the study recommended spending millions on a new Public Works building? The question will be, which Effingham contractor will build it? Now where is it that Wortman's from? "