In the agenda for the Wednesday, August 6, Budget Workshop #2, the public and council got the first look at the proposed budget for Oct 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2026.

Reduction in Fund Balance to cover the deficit! The proposed expenses are up $4.8 million over the projected expenses the current year… 21% increase in the general fund costs.  Even at the highest millage rate (3 mills), the Village would need to eat into the fund balance.  

With the possibility of less in reimbursements from FEMA if the Village has damage from a natural disaster, reducing the fund balance may not be wise.

Tab 5 of the agenda provides the projected numbers for current year ending 9/30/25.  They are highlighted in green in the table below.  The next three lines are the projected numbers for the proposed 2025-2026 budget.  

Concerns:

Projectedincrease in general fund expenses this coming year: $4,776 million

Reduction in Fund balance, best case, almost $1 million.  At rollback $4.8 million

Cost of Employee Insurance Benefits: $2,827,857

Increase in Employee Insurance Benefits: almost $920,000 increase in one year.

And again we have major concerns with Wastewater Fund spending.

When taxpayers see their TRIM notices in another couple weeks: Shock might set in.