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Vol. 7, No. 2 - Apr 1986LLKISSING April,1986 Vol. 7 No. 2 BUDGET MESSAGE The budget review process is -an extremely important period,in any organization, but particularly critical in municipal government. Few private firms are en- gaged in services which vary as widely in nature and scope as those of local government. In recent years, public demand for services has increased while, at the same time, we have experienced severe constraints on revenue sources. The budget process affords the elected officials the opportunity to balance the needs of the community against available resources with the intent of gaining the maximum return on each tax dollar. The combined total budget for 1986-87 is $12,208,798, which includes the Library budget. I am pleased to report that this budget reflects a decrease • in the projected 1986 tax levy as a result of our reducing by $100,000 the General Fund levy. This reduction is possible due to an expanded tax base that will generate increased revenues in the future. Over the years, the Village has worked diligently to maintain the residential character of Deerfield, while providing for an acceptable mix of commercial and office -research zoning. As new developments are added to the assessment rolls, we will continue to make every effort to reduce the tax burden on our residents. Deerfield, which is a Home Rule community, currently receives 13.4% of the total property tax bill. With the exception of the Library tax rate (which, by law, must levy through the Village), all rates of the Village are below the limits established by the State of Illinois for non -Home Rule communities. In short, we have used our taxing privileges very discreetly. In recent years, property tax increases have been necessary only because of our need to fund the sewer rehabilitation and street reconstruction programs. There will be no increase in the number of full time personnel. To remain com- petitive in the municipal market, there will be a 4.5% increase in the employee salary plan. The 1986-87 budget will continue the Senior Subsidy Program as a means of retaining as residents those who have made important contributions in the past. Another significant item is continuation of the 50/50 sidewalk, curb and tree replacement programs which encourage a shared public/private investment that benefits both the Village and individual property owners. • A significant cost increase throughout this budget is for general insurance. We experienced very large increases last year and premiums are still expected to be 40% higher, reflecting the crisis situation which has developed in the insurance industry. We are working closely with other governmental bodies in urging the State Legislature to address this problem. Consistent with the new water service contract with Highland Park, water rates must be increased from $1:55 to $1.75 per 100 cubic feet. There will be no change in the sanitary sewer rate. The property tax bill will reflect an increase -in scavenger rates required under our existing contract with Laidlaw Waste Systems. I am pleased to report that our Capital Improvements Program is proceeding on schedule. Extensive projects scheduled for 1986-87 are: finalizing plans and engineering for the Access Avenue improvement in the Village Center; major road reconstruction and resurfacing under the Street Rehabilitation Program ; and new sanitary sewers, improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the con- struction of excess flow treatment facilities at strategic points along the creeks. As with most communities our age, we must continue to fund these capital projects in order to maintain the basic infrastructure of the Village. A significant project scheduled for construction is the extension of Pfingsten Road north of Lake -Cook Road, including an overpass at the railroad tracks that will provide for a connection to Kates Road. This project will do much to re- lieve traffic.congestion on Lake -Cook Road, particularly at its intersection with Waukegan Road. It will be funded by developer contributions, other govern- mental agencies and the -Village's Tax Increment -Financing fund. It appears fairly certain that Congress intends to end the General Revenue Sharing program. Although Deerfield has benefitted from this return of our Federal Tax dollars, we have been careful never to depend on these monies for normal operating expenditures. Therefore, the termination of this program should not have a significant impact on the community. In presenting this budget for fiscal year 1986-87, the Board of Trustees and I restate our commitment to providing high quality services at reasonable costs. In fulfilling our obligations, we are grateful.for the support received from the many volunteers on Boards and Commissions, whose input is extremely valuable to our decision -making. Through this concerted effort, Deerfield will continue to maintain its tradition as a fiscally sound community, responsible to its citizenry. BERNARD FORREST Mayor Chart 1 Chart 2 �U Chart 3 Budget Dollar Budget Dollar v Property Tax Dollar Apportionment"' 1986 - 87 �1986 -87 1984 Tax Levy Collected in 1985 7 � i Vlll.p. 13.11 Teul ,%.y s roof oln.. u.„ to.1131 nl 4mN Vlll.pf.l1 • • Sw.r CMq. !\ .1ID11 VIINp. 1f..\ C.N e.N .IM Tnn.l.r. 1f.1\ Teul IngnY Tn 1f.0\ ",••, • nn CMrpn 11. T1 Wnklpl Lln Tn 11..\ MI.., AAIk NrR. 11.1\ ' IANR DISTRICT LARE EF SCHOOL DISTRICT 113 COUNTY 2 9 .l1 6.91 •. • VILLAGE OP DEERFIELD 10.11 P1 OOP �0 •OEPp )• SCHOOL DISTRICT IOf 1l 1 III THE VILLAGE IS IN {EVERAL TAAING DISTRICTS. THE ILLUSTRATED AIFORTIONNENT IS GENERALLY REPRESENTATIVE G. THE VILLAGE AS A WHOLE. CONGRATULATIONS, JIM! PAUSE FOR THE PLEDGE Jim Soyka, our Village Engineer since January of 1973, has been selected by a distinguished anel of judges as one of the Top Ten Public orks Leaders of the year! This is a great onor which recognizes outstanding achieve- ments, dedication and excellence of Public Works officials., -Jim will be honored at a special luncheon in May. Terrific!!! THERE'S NEW BUSINESS... Just in case you've missed some of our new businesses, here's an update: 671 Waukegan Road - Razzberri's 687 Waukegan Road - Merit Cleaners 806 Waukegen Road - Mimi Cole Designs 709 Waukegan Road - Patricia's Nails Deerfield Commons: R & L Shoes Yarns Galore 768 Osterman Avenue: Putting on the Glitz Dominic's Barber Shop Osterman Cleaners I1 Forno Pizza Designer Kitchens & Baths Diamond Video Deerbrook Shopping Center: Wizard of Eyes Sylvan Learning.Center Buffo's Restaurant Chicago Health Club 702 Osterman Avenue - Transformations and Other Options Shop in Deerfield.... keep the sales tax here! 4USIC RECYCLING Why not take your old records, tapes, sheet music, instruments, and/or stereo and video equipment to the Fire Station... between the first of May and September 1st. You'll be helping the Les.Turner ALS Foundation raise funds for research into Lou Gehrig's dis- ease. It's tax deductible, too. The next blood drive will be on June 1st, at the Community Center. For an appointment, call 298-9660 or our new Blood Chairman.... Bob Kay, at 948-5784. There won't be any scavenger service on Memorial Day, May 26th. FAMILY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN.. . Save July 3rd and 4th for'the big celebra- tion! Volunteers are needed to help -those two days... if you can help out, call this year's Family Day President, Howard Foote, at ,945-0509. Auditions for AMERICAN PIE will be held at Deerfield High School on Sunday, May 4th from 2 to 5 P.M. and on Monday, the 5th from 7 to 10 P.M. Get your act together Ond be a star! lso, start growing, pruning and caring for plants, flowers and vegetables now. Then enter the Horticulture Show spon- sored by the Garden Club of Deerfield. More on Family Day in the next issue. The National Flag Day Foundation invites you to join in their.PAUSE.FOR THE PLEDGE cere- mony on Flag Day, June 14th, at 7:00 P.M.,EDT (that's 6:00 P X here!). In 1985, by Joint Resolution of Congress, this PAUSE FOR THE PLEDGE was made an official part of National Flag day, signed into Public Law 99-54 by President Reagan. Also, 1986 has been established as "The Year of the Flag". To be a part.of the ceremony, all you have to do at 6:00 P.M. on June 14th is to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Ceremony will be held at that same moment at Fort McHenry... where Francis Scott Key com- posed our national anthem in 1812. Let's all join in ... it's fashionable again to be patriotic! ABOUT YOUR WATER BILL... We bill you four times a year for water and sewer (and refuse). Bills are sent out on the loth of the month and are due by or before the first day of the following month. We take the bills to the Post Office and we're not respon- sible if you fail to receive yours ... the pen- alty for late payment is 10% of the total bill (and since you only get four bills a year, you can understand why the.penalty is 10%). If you don't know when your billing dates are, call us and we'll give you the dates so you can mark your calendar and avoid the penalty! IF your bill is estimated, it's for one of the following reasons: - meter is, blocked or too dirty to read - meter has stopped - meter pit is frozen or snow-covered - we can't get inside to read the meter After we've sent 3 estimated bills,.we ask you to contact us to.resolve the problem. If you don't, we'll probably send you an estimated bill that will knock your sox off ... and that always gets results! Remember, if you pay your bill- late, you'll have to pay the 10% penalty. There's a depository on the south side of the Village Hall (right below the middle window) where you can put your bill and payment if the Hall'is closed. We have a little booklet which will give you some suggestions on conserving water. Stop in and we'll give you a copy. With the raise in rates, we want to do everything we can to help you save those hard-earned dollars! ATTENTION, DEER RUN RESIDENTS!!! Your scavenger pick-up days will change effective May 3rd. Instead of Tuesday and Friday pick-ups, mark your calendar for Wednesdays and Saturdays. You'll receive a notice from Laidlaw but we thought we'd mention it in D-TALES. HERE'S YOUR BIG CHANCEH PROMS, GRADUATIONS, PARTIES The Energy Advisory Council has scheduled a panel of experts to answer your questions, com- plaints and inquiries. The panel will consist of representatives of Commonwealth Edison, North Shore Gas, the Illinois Commerce Commis- sion, the Department of Energy and the State of Illinois - who will answer questions from the Council and the public on June 11th, beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the Village Hall. This is a rare opportunity... don't miss it! PUBLIC HOUSE-CLEANING PROJECT We're going to flush all of the fire hydrants, beginning in May. You'll receive a notice be- fore we actually get to your area, but here's advance information .... we want to make certain the hydrants -are in good working order and we want to ! reduce the fire insurance rates. We'll do this on Tuesdays through Fridays. You should NOT do your laundry on those days... schedule it for Satur- day, Sunday or Monday on the week we'll be in your neighborhood. Flushing stirs up rust... which you don't want in your washing! Drinking water will be safe. If there's any discoloration, just let it run for a few min- utes and it will clear. Use as little water as possible on your flushing days. We'll give you all the details in letter form just before you're scheduled. YOU'RE AN OLD TIMER IF... ..you remember when Kresge's occupied the store where the True Value hardware store is now. Remember the lunch counter? Ummm! . VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 Fire Department .....................945-2121 Fire Department Non -Emergency .......945-4066 Police Department ...................945-2131 Police Department Non -Emergency .....945-8636 Village Hall .........................945-5000 BERNARD FORREST, Mayor TRUSTEES James L. Marovitz Edwin B. Seidman Cynthia J. Marty Vernon E. Swanson Harriet Rosenthal J. Robert York Plus high schoolers and college kids home for the summer equals potential problems! Here are some reminders for the whole family which. might prevent trouble on the home front. Are you aware that the home owner is respon- sible for "any assemblage of minors or other persons which endangers the peace and safety of the residents of the Village"...that YOU are violating the law if minors drink or the party gets out of hand? This applies whether or not you're present and whether or not you have given permission for the assemblage. THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE IN ILLINOIS - and, of course, in Deerfield - is 21. In every serious or fatal accident in Deer- field in the past 10 years involving people 21 or younger, drugs or alcohol were a factor. Drunk driving is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24. The Police Department will be happy to visit with you before you plan that party ... better to be safe than sorry! Call them at 945-8636 and get the benefit of their advice. DISASTER EXERCISE SCHEDULED There will be a disaster exercise at Deerfiel High School during the first week of May. This will involve many pieces of emergency equip- ment at the site. This is the second in a series of disaster exercises, directed by the Emergency Services and Disaster.Agency, in which the Fire, Police and Emergency Services units will be involved. The purpose is to sharpen life-saving and rescue skills. IT'S ONLY A DRILL..DON'T BE ALARMED! POSTAL CUSTOMER DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 Deerfield. Illinois CAR/PRE-SORT Printed at Standard Printing Service, Inc. (312) 498-6126