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04/24/19721 u f 1 ,5 PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET April 24, 1972 The public hearing on the proposed Budget for the fiscal year 1972 -73 was called to order by the President in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall on Monday, April 24, 1972 at 8:13 p.m. The clerk called the roll and reported that the following w ere Present: Bernard Forrest, President George Kelm Stephen M. Slavin Absent: Albert E. Brust Charles R. Bootz Werner E. Neuman M. Jay Turner, Jr. Also present was Mr. Norris Stilphen,manager. The Notice of Hearing was published as provided by law on April 14, 1972, and the Budget was available for inspection by the public for ten days. The President explained that in previous years the Board had passed Appropria- t ion ordinances which were published, but did not reflect a realistic picture of Village expenditures. This year the Board has adopted a Budget system and appointed the manager as budget officer. The budget will provide an accurate accounting of .projected revenues and expenditures, and after adoption, may be changed only by a two-thirds vote. He stated the budget is balanced, with a small surplus, and will result in a lower tax levy. Heretofore, budgets have been merely guides to expenditures. The Village attorney entered the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The manager explained briefly the budget for the Village Board and elerk which has been augmented by amounts for cost accounting, recodification, special census, school expense and contractual work, and increase of 16.7 %plus a contingency fund of $1,530.00. All percentage increases reflect amounts over last year's budget. The general office account which provides for additional employees has been increased by 14%� Health and hospitalization insurance costs have been increased for all employees by reason of the Village2 now paying one -half the cost of coverage for employees and their families. The Village treasurer described Finance Department expenditures which have been increased by 4.3%. $5,400 has been budgeted for the Audit, which is a Special Tax account. He listed payments on bonds which will be due during the fiscal year. Costs for water, sewer andFscavenger billings are given under other accounts although the work is under hiss: direction. Data processing will be started in June or July for the payroll; when well established it will be expanded to include water, sewer and scavenger accounts, and finally the general account. He is working with the firm that has done this work for Northbrook. President Forrest stated the Board has authorized a study of ten areas for cost accounting, so the Board can determine actual costs for these items. $2,000 has been budgeted for this study. A groups of residents who have been experiencing chronic flooding problems was present. Mr. R. F. Raughley, 1015 Springfield, stated he had reviewed the budget and the Baxter and Woodman reports, and he felt strongly that expenditures to alleviate flooding problems should be an item of highest priority, since public health is involved. The manager stated that Baxter and Woodman would submit a final report fat the May 1st meeting which will recommend steps to be taken to resolvec:the overall problems of the entire sewerage system. Mr. Raughley stated previous reports had shown undersized sewers in several areas but nothing had been done to correct these sewers. He questioned the allocation of a substantial sum for Park Avenue re- alignment when public health is endangered by repeated flodding of basements with raw sewage. Trustee Slavin stated the Board has authorized a request for cost estimates from three professional engineers to correct known deficiencies in the sewer system which were shown in an earlier report. Trustee Kelm stated no one should think that improvements to the sewer system can be financed by the annual tax levy; arbond issue of approximately $3.8 million will be required, although an application will be filed for Federal and State grants which, if approved, will reduce the cost to the Village. Discussion ensued on sewer problems and the financing of improvements, and what could be done with limited funds to alleviate flodding problems. Mr.RAughley urged that this item be given a first priority. 16 Chief of Police Warren Whitton discussed the police budget which has been increased by 17.9%" plus a contingency fund of $7,600. Provision has been made for additional patrolmen and crossing guards, but some expenditures will be paid from grants. Trustee Kelmt pointed out that although in general, salaries were increased by 5.5 %, patorlmen's salaries were increased by a greater amount due to the contract with the Combined Counties Patrojmen�s Association. President Forrest stated that Trustee Brust was unable to attend the meeting, zbuf feels there is no need for two additional patrolmen on the force. Public Works Director Klasinski reported the budget for the Village Hall and Annex had beeniincreased by 7.1 %; the Village garage decreased by 6.4 %;the water department budget increased by 7 %; and the sewage treatment plant ex- penditures increased by 14.9 %. The sewer maintenance and operation budget has been increased by 2.5 %, and the Street and Bridge Fund by 36.2% which includes more personnel and materials for street repairs, which will be coverdd in part by a transfer of $9,400 from the General Fund. Funds for contingencies have been provided but will be expended only with the approval of the Board. The Budget for the building department was reviewed by the building com- missioner. The increase for this department is 22.3 %, but additional employees on a part time basis have been included. Mr. Smalley stated the costs of the building department are lower than other nearby municipalities. The Village attorney stated that capital outlay funds must be included in the budget, but technically neither Motor Fuel Tax expenditures nor bond funds need be included. The manager listed capital expenditures which will be paid for by the unapproiriated surplus in the General Fund. Mr. Raughley stated that it was obvious that in the past priorities had not been properly assigned so that now the Village is faced with a costly sewer improvement program. The Police and Fire Departments have been upgraded as population increased, but sewers were neglected and problems left unresolved until a major project is required to alleviate problems that should have been apparent to any planner. Further discussion was had on improvements to the sewerage system. He again urged that the highest priority be assigned for this work. President Forrest stated that Trustee Brust had asked that his comments on the budget be mentioned, as follows: Salary increases reflect cost of living increases, and he hopes there will be available by July a salary review which can provide for incentive increases for next year's budget. Ne stated the salaries for top jobs were out of line, and he saw no reason for annual raises for the manager. In connection with the deficit in the Sewer Fund, which will be covered by transfers this year, he stated he hopes will set higher rates for volume users who presently are paying at a net rate lower than home- owners. He pointed out that property tax reductions are compensated for by increases in revenue from the sales and income taxes. He asked that per capita cost figures be shown on page 3 and that items for cost accounting be marked. President Forrest stated a special meeting for the adoption of the budget and other matters will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 1972. Trustee Slavin moved, seconded by Trustee Kelm, that the hearing be adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVED: r Pre`siden ATTEST: Village Clerk TO: CHARLES R. BOOTZ ALBERT E. BRUST GEORGE KELM WERNER E. NEUMAN STEPHEN M. SLAVIN M. JAY TURNER, JR. BOARD OF TRUSTEES You are hereby notified that a Special Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 1972 at 8:00 P.M. in the Deerfield Village Hall for the purpose of considering passage of the Budget and related items, and to consider action on Tax Anticipation Warrants, Investment Policy, Salary Ordinance, and funds from Capital Outlay for Phase II of the Baxter & Woodman Report on the Sewerage System, and to transact such other business as may legally be transacted at said Special Meeting. Dated this 25th day of April, 1972. By Order of the President. Copies to: Deerfield Review Deerfield Life Waukegan News -Sun Scoop Newsletter Village Clerk —6 wt'e�_ f t