VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Laura Curtis, Village Clerk Lori Murray
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Police Chief Dave Summer, Fire Marshall Eric Bunkofske, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion on FY 2015-16 Draft Budget
Finance Director Bill Hannah presented the draft budget to the Board.
Overall Revenues: $20.1 million. Overall Expenditures: $20.8 million. The difference is due to the use of reserves for one time capital projects.
General Fund: Revenue: $10.1 million. Expenditures: $9.9 million.
Capital Project Fund: Revenues: $2.3 million. Expenditures: $2.6 million
Water Fund: $2.7 million in revenues and expenditures.
Debt Outstanding: $11 million in bonded debt and looking to retire just under $1 million next year. Total debt is about 2.6% of our EAV which is very manageable.
Hannah noted that since 2009, the village has paid down $7.5 million in principal obligations. Total debt at the end of next year is almost the same as it was in 2006.
The Village had a successful general obligation refunding resulting in $60,000 in savings every year for the next 13 years.
Police Pension Fund: A one-time contribution this year of $250,000. Estimated funding is close to 70% this year.
IMRF: Contributions for pensions are consistent year to year. The village was 82% funded as of December 31, 2014.
Personnel: The village is looking at a 2% increase in the non-union pay schedule for next fiscal year. All current collective bargaining agreements expire as of May 31st and those are under negotiations. Step increases are available to 37% of employees. The village is looking at adding three new positions next year: police officer, public works laborer and water laborer.
Capital Projects
Randall Road resurfacing: The village’s share is approximately $400,000 and will be paid out of MFT Revenues.
Smoke Tree Lane (second phase): $850,000 and will be funded out of TIF Revenues.
Road program: $1.5 million road program for next year and $150,000 for the patching program of village roads. A pedestrian beacon will be installed at Oak and Willow Way.
General Fund Highlights
Revenues: $10.1 million in revenues. Most are from property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes.
Expenditures: Police 51%, Public Works 20% and Village Hall Services making up the rest.
Village Administrator Steve Bosco discussed projects that the Village is looking at for future years:
-Page 141 – 750,000 gallon water tower. Three phase project to build an additional well (well #8). This will allow the village to have a 24-hour capacity of water.
-Page 142 – Annual water main project. $300,000 for construction.
-Page 143 – Fox River Damn Removal project. The state pays for $500,000 for engineering costs.
-Page 145 – LED street lighting. Start in 2017-18. Cost benefit analysis will be done in-house. The State currently has a grant program that pays 50% – 75% of the reimbursement to the Village for installing LED. Trustee Faber suggested this item be moved up a couple of years. Faber said there is a significant cost to waiting and the sooner the Village installs LED lighting, the sooner the Village will start saving money. Bosco said we can move it up and can do cost/benefit analysis. Will bring this back to a COW discussion with the cost and the Board can make a decision. The cost benefit analysis can be done this year. The Board was in agreement to move forward.
-Page 146 – Route 31/Lincolnway water main replacement. One phase of three.
-Page 147 – 1200-ton capacity salt dome – the salt dome on the east side is undersized.
Trustee Carroll said that an excellent job was done in planning the draft budget. Carroll noted that one item missing from the long term capital project was a new activity center. Village Administrator Steve Bosco said that at this point the Village has not done a study to determine what the estimated cost would be. The item can be added as a future project. Trustee Gaffino said that the Village needs move forward on this topic.
A public hearing on the budget will be scheduled for the first meeting in May. A vote on the budget would be scheduled for the second meeting in May.
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
