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An Attentive Municipal Organization that Connects with Community, Commerce, and Nature.

Committee of the Whole Minutes

VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2020

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic,
Village Hall was closed to the public and the meeting was held electronically.

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Tao Martinez, Trustee Mark Guethle and Village Clerk Lori Murray.

Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher and Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None

DISCUSSION
FY 2020-21 Budget Follow-Up
Village Administrator Steve Bosco said that the Stay-at-Home order has changed the village’s economic outlook. Finance Director Bill Hannah put together a list of revenue projects that he has changed for the upcoming fiscal year. The General Fund will be slashed on the revenue side by about $800,000 but with $800,000 in expenditure offsets. Bosco added that the village will still have a balanced budget in the operating fund for the upcoming year and is doing well in the current fiscal year.

Finance Director Bill Hannah stated that the village has made adjustments to revenues, reallocated revenues and reduced some transfers out, all with the goal of maintaining a strong financial position and supporting core village services going forward.

Comparison of what was originally in the budget for revenues and expenditures and what the revisions were:
Sales Tax: Revised down from $5.2 million to $4.7 million for next year.
State shared income tax revenue: $1.9 million to $1.6 million.
Other revenue estimates for the general fund that were lowered: Video gaming/OTB handle tax, amusement tax, building permits and cable franchise fees.

General fund – Reallocation of the Telecommunication Tax revenue fully to the General Fund. It was previously split between the Capital Projects Fund and the General Fund.

Overall for the General Fund was $768,000 net in revenue adjustments. That went from $12.5 million to $11.7 million for next year.

On the expenditures side:
-Reduced our transfers to the vehicle and equipment fund by about 50%. Reduction of some contractual expenditures for building permits (reduced by $45,000).
-There are a few open positions and new ones the village is still looking to eventually fill. Will be putting this off by 4 or 5 months to give the village time to see what the economic impact will be.

-Eliminated some seasonal labor in public works and reduced an allocation for contracted tree trimming back to what it was in the current year. Reduced the transfer from the general fund to the capital projects fund from $600,000 to $200,000.

Trustee Curtis asked if the village has done anything to increase the levels of PPE. Chief Fisher said that the Police Department has a surplus of all types of PPE. The department is doing its best to replenish through the county before getting to low levels.

Hannah said that the plan is to submit the modified draft budget to the village board for approval at the first meeting in May.

Mayor Berman said he had a call on Saturday from Congressman Bill Foster who was very concerned about the village and the village’s capability going forward. Berman said he told Foster that the village is in good shape and adjusting the budget. Berman stated that Foster was concerned about getting back to normal. He wanted to know what he can do to help us. Berman said that he felt they were working on some pretty good programs in Washington to help individuals and small businesses.

Trustee Carroll said that in reference to the bill being contemplated in Washington, one of the sticky points is the availability for municipalities. With the loss of revenue that we will see, Trustee Carroll said he would like to see the Village of North Aurora be a candidate for some relief directly from Washington. Berman said that something went out from the IML and they are looking for $900 million just for the municipalities in Illinois. Mayor Berman said he would call Bill Foster and pass that along.

Trustee Martinez said he has been looking at a lot of guidelines and standards that are set up for the CDC as far as containment and this infection. His concern is that people are confused with guidelines and standards. When looking at guidelines, it is a preventative guideline and not a standard for this infection.

Trustee Gaffino said that one of our top priorities as village officials is the safety of our residents and we need to abide by what the governor says.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Carroll. All in favor. Motion approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk

 

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