TIME: 6:00
p.m.
MEMBERS
ABSENT: Plese,
Mietzner
NON-MEMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Strong, Chief Metta, Building Inspector Gary Tate, City Administrator Rob Nelis, Financial Supervisor Robin Theobald, Executive Secretary Puracchio, , Reporter Monson and Smith
DISCUSSION: Meeting Opening
ACTION: Discussions of the Budget was opened up at 6:00 PM
DISCUSSION: Introduction
ACTION: Nelis explained that it was the Staff’s job to present a balanced budget
to the Council it was now their budget. Nelis pointed out that the Council has
two choices if they add to the budget they can either decrease another item or
go into the reserves. The reserves at
this time have approximately $700,000 to $800,000.
DISCUSSION: Appropriations-Budget
ACTION: The
State requires an Appropriation Ordinance which lists expenditures. This needs to be filed in July. The Budget lists both revenue and
expenditures and this is what the City follows. Operating Funds are for things like salaries and supplies,
Capital Funds are for projects such as capping the landfill.
DISCUSSION: Review
of Funds
ACTION: Nelis
summarized each fund. He pointed out
that it had come to the City’s attention that it was overpaying the IMRF
Fund. The State gave the City a five
year option to pay out 3.1%. After that
time period it will go up significantly.
Orr asked if this was the way to go. Did the City want to deal with a
high spike in five years just to keep costs down now. The City had to add a
part-time position at City Hall because a worker will be out for 4-6 weeks due
to her child’s surgery. Building Permits are up and the budget anticipates
40-60 households. Nelis also stated the
Council should consider doing a special census and he would research the
costs. Nelis pointed out that he just
discovered that the City will be incurring a $30,000 fee for grass cutting done
by the Park District. That will have to be added. The Council would also like research to be done on the
electricity for street lights. What
exactly has the City taken on since acquiring the Parks? Do the Baseball Leagues still contribute for
the lights and where is the money if it does?
DISCUSSION: Police
ACTION: Nelis pointed out there were two main changes. The first being the elimination of the dispatch center. This
would be a cost savings of approximately $70,000 to $80,000. The City would
transfer the dispatching to Braidwood.
The Chief stated that eventually the County was going to mandate how
many operating dispatch centers there would be in the County and he felt
Braidwood and Wilmington would be eliminated. Council members asked if any
dispatchers would transfer over to Braidwood.
The Chief stated no but with turnover dispatchers could eventually end
up working there. Council members
expressed a negative attitude towards eliminating the center. Mayor Strong said that was fine but they
would have to find ways to make up the difference. The second change was officers would no longer be able to take
squad cars home. Council members again expressed this was not something they
would like to see and asked what the real cost saving was in doing this.
In
discussions about the building tear downs for the Police Building Expansion and
the need for a new antenna if the water tower is torn down,
the Council asked Nelis to
research the Cyber Broadcasting Contract. At present the City has entered into a five year contract, starting in
2003, to supply access to the towers in exchange for free internet service at
City buildings. What would the City’s options be if it didn’t put up a new
antenna tower?
DISCUSSION: Review
of Funds
ACTION: Rob went over Streets & Alleys with no questions from the Council
other
than Gary is short of staff. There were no questions under the Building
Department, Planning and Zoning, ESDA.
DISCUSSION: Landfill
ACTION: Nelis stated that the budget has $450,000 for the closing of the
landfill. This may be a high estimate considering past meetings with State and
County Officials. The City would need
to refinance on the bond to complete this project.
DISCUSSION: Water and Sewer
ACTION: There would have to be a water increase of 7% in order to balance the
water account. There has not been an
increase in about three years. The Sewer might have to be increased if the City
was ordered by the Court to do so. In
filing all the legal and financial documents for the new sewage treatment plant
the City is not sure if the State will allow tap-on fees as revenue since this
is a volatile fund.
DISCUSSION: Adjournment
ACTION: The meeting ended at 7:30. Another Budget Hearing has been set for Monday June 20 at 5:30 pm