Wednesday's ruling still can be appealed by Harvey. Even if Novak eventually orders court oversight, her decision buys the suburb some time to continue to use the water money without a monitor. At least one alderman previously told the Tribune he feared the town couldn't make payroll if it lost control over water collections. Aldermen have talked of cutting spending to try to make ends meet without using the water revenues, but the town has yet to approve a budget for this fiscal year, which is more than halfway done.