VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
APRIL 6, 2009
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Village President John Hansen, Trustee Dale Berman, Trustee Mike Herlihy, Trustee Bob Strusz, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Linda Mitchell, Trustee Max Herwig.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin, Assistant to the Village Administrator Wes Kornowske, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community Development Director Scott Buening, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Engineer Jim Bibby, Village Atty. Kevin Drendel, Police Chief Tom Fetzer, Bureau Fire Chief Mark Bozik.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Presentation and Discussion of FY 2009-10 Draft Budget
Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin said that staff saw a downturn in revenue during the middle of last year/late fall and sat down with department heads and staff in December to rework the 2008/2009 budget. Staff looked at each line item and cut back on costs. The budget was reviewed again in February with the department heads and further adjustments were made. McLaughlin said that the budget has been cut back substantially from where it was last year. The worse case scenarios would be salary freezes and layoffs, but the Village is in a good position at this point.
Finance Director Bill Hannah addressed the Board with an overview of the budget (Available to be reviewed in its entirety at Village Hall).
Hannah thanked Sue McLaughlin and the department heads for their cooperation and input on the budget.
Hannah said this is the longest recession since World War II and has affected the sales tax, income tax, building permit and investment income revenues.
Revenues are at $19.5 million and expenditures at $27 million. The accounting for the variance is due to borrowing money for the police station this year and spending it next year. When removing the police station capital fund and the police pension funds, which typically needs revenues significantly more than expenditures to accumulate monies for future pension liabilities, will end up with $16.1 million in revenues and $16.7 million in expenditures. The difference of $573,000 is for one-time capital projects. This results in a very balance financial plan for next fiscal year given all that has been happening with the economy.
Hannah said that each of the village departments would present their budgets at the next village meeting. Approval date for the budget is scheduled for May 12th.
2. Discussion of Fireworks Contract for North Aurora Days and Fourth of July
Trustee Gaffino said that the Board discussed fireworks at the last meeting and brought up the possibility of not having 4th of July fireworks this year and the option of putting that money toward North Aurora Days and the 175th year celebration of the Village.
Trustee Mitchell asked about a quote for having fireworks on a day other than the 4th of July. Gaffino said that by having the fireworks on July 3rd, it would cost the Village $5,000 less. Gaffino said he did not get a quote for fireworks for North Aurora Days.
Trustee Herlihy suggested not having fireworks on the 4th of July since surrounding communities hold fireworks displays on that day. Herlihy said he could not see spending more than $10,000 for fireworks on one of the nights for North Aurora Days. Trustee Herwig said that Friday night for North Aurora Days is more of a family night and suggested fireworks on Friday instead of Saturday. The Board agreed to omit 4th of July fireworks this year and put the money towards fireworks for Friday night of North Aurora Days.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustee Herwig said that residents are trying to sign up for U-verse and AT&T is telling them that the Village is holding this up and that they are unable to do anything until the Village changes the ordinance. Herwig asked McLaughlin to find out what is preventing the Village from getting U-verse. Atty. Drendel said that AT&T needs to come to the Village so that it can be determined what the problems areas are. The Village has indicated to AT&T that it will work with them but has not heard back. McLaughlin said she would try to contact AT&T again.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT – 8:10 p.m.
Motion made by Trustee Herlihy and seconded by Trustee Herwig to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
