Lake County Gazette

Village of Deerfield Committee of the Whole met Sept. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. In attendance were:

PRESENT:

Village Board 

Dan Shapiro, Mayor 

Bob Benton, Trustee 

Larry Berg, Trustee 

Elaine Jacoby, Trustee 

Mary Oppenheim, Trustee 

Bill Seiden, Trustee  

Staff

Kent Street, Village Manager 

Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village 

Manager/Director Community Development 

Brian Budny, Deputy Chief of Police 

John Sliozis, Chief of Police 

Justin Keenan, Asst. to the Village Manager

Eric Burk, Finance Director

David Fitzgerald-Sullivan, Comm. Coord.

Desiree Van Thorre, Admin Services Coord.

Robert Phillips, Dir. of PW and Eng.

Tyler Dickinson, Asst. Dir. of PW and Eng.

Ryan Oates, PW Analyst

Jessica Sciaretta, Admin. Intern

Daniel Van Dusen, Deputy Clerk

Public Comment

There were no public comments on non-agenda items.

Business

2024 Budget Overview

Mayor Shapiro noted the months of work, meetings and effort that went into producing the budget.

Finance Director, Eric Burk provided an outline of the budget and went through the timeline of developing the budget, starting in July. He noted it was published in the Deerfield Review, posted on the Village website and placed at the front desk for public inspection.

Trustee Oppenheim inquired if staff received any feedback on it from residents. Mr. Burk noted there has been none.

Mr. Burk reported the budget with have a public hearing at the November 6 Village Board meeting and a tax levy public hearing at the November 20 meeting. He noted the Village levy is increasing $188,737 or 2.29%. The General fund levy will be tied to public safety. He reported the projected EAV increase of 2% results in the $500,000 market value home paying approximately $939 in taxes in 2024, which is $21 more than 2023.

Mr. Burk provided a review of the 2023 general fund. Revenues are expected to be over budget and expenditures are expected to be under budget.

He reported that 2024 general fund revenues total $25.55 million and increased by $783,000, or 3.16%. Increases from 2023 budgeted amounts include sales tax, home rule sales tax, state income tax, interest income and state grants for body cameras. The 2024 general fund expenditures total $28.14 million and increased $1.2 million, or 4.4%.

Trustee Oppenheim noted that Metra is going through with a proposed fare restructuring into zones. The zone split is planned between the two stations in the Village. Meaning the downtown monthly ticket is $25 more than Lake Cook Road. This may change the use of our downtown station and noted staff should factor this into their projections.

Trustee Oppenheim also noted that the telecommunications tax will continue to decrease, as fewer people have landlines and offices change to voice over IP.

Trustee Shapiro inquired about hotel occupancy rates. Mr. Burk noted that our tax is on the room rate and does not include number of rooms booked. Village Manager Kent Street noted that staffing issues keep hotels from fully booking.

Manager Street noted there are no new revenue sources this year and light increases in existing taxes.

Mayor Shapiro thanked staff for their great job on the budget. He noted that in coming years the Village may have bigger needs that we’ll have to keep our eye on.

Trustee Oppenheim noted that even though we are aware of our capital project needs, supply chain issues can interrupt projects because we can’t get supplies or it increases the bid amounts due to scarcity.

Trustee Jacoby asked what happens with the budget when something exciting happens in one of the two TIF projects. Mr. Burk noted the increment would be placed in a separate fund.

Police Department Budget Overview

Police Chief John Sliozis reported that a lot of time and effort has gone into this budget. It is very similar to last year’s budget.

He reported the biggest new expense next year is body cameras. He noted the pricing has come down and is now around $75,000 per year. The Department needs to have the cameras in place by Jan. 2025 and the Village has secured state grant funds to offset some of the cost.

Chief Sliozis reported that the fleet is due for replacement in 2025, but procurement could be difficult due to supply chain issues. He noted some older vehicles will be used and may face additional maintenance costs.

Trustee Berg asked if it possible to stagger the fleet replacement over a few years. Chief Sliozis noted it is good to have the same make and model of equipment.

Chief Sliozis reported the remodeled Dispatch Center is operational as of yesterday and is going well. He will schedule a tour form the Trustees. He noted the Village is in a good position technology-wise to move forward.

Trustee Seiden inquired about the increase in salaries next year. Chief Sliozis noted multiple younger officers are getting step increases and the Department is more fully staffed.

Deputy Police Chief Chris Fry presented highlights from the Police Administration budget and Communications budget.

Deputy Police Chief Brian Budny presented highlights from the Patrol and Investigations budgets. He noted increases in salaries and in apparel for new bulletproof vests. He stated there will be an increase in vehicle maintenance due to out of warranty older squad cars.

Trustee Benton noted that observationally, we’re hearing a lot about threats to school systems with swattings and bomb threats. He asked if more training is needed. Deputy Chief Budny noted the Department already has training on these issues and works closely with the school resource officers.

Trustee Seiden noted there used to be an emergency operations center at Takeda and asked if there is one now. Chief Sliozis noted that with changes in technology, they can do most of that work remotely with laptops.

Mayor Shapiro inquired about FLOCK cameras and drones. Deputy Chief Budny noted the cameras are working well. The drone was used for Family Days and Harvest Fest. The amount of time and manpower it saves is incredible, he stated.

Public Works & Engineering Budget Review

Public Works & Engineering Robert Phillips thanked staff for preparing the budget and capital plan.

Mr. Phillips noted that material costs are rapidly changing. He reported that one cubic yard of concrete cost $90 four years ago, and now it costs $200, mostly related to fuel prices. He noted that construction and Public Works operations are highly reliant on fuel. He also noted that vehicle availability is also an issue as the Village has been waiting more than two years for a new dump truck.

Trustee Seiden inquired how we account for the delay in purchases. Mr. Burk noted the Village pays for items when they are received. Mr. Phillips noted the Village keeps VERFing more and more because of cost increases.

Mr. Phillips reported the Village has four leaf vacuums to use during leaf collection. One is due for replacement. He noted the price has increased from $35,000 to $125,000. He noted that if some become available, it would be good for us to purchase them. Trustee Oppenheim noted that not every community vacuums leaves and that the Village may be forced to discuss doing away with it if we cannot get the equipment or the cost is too high. Mr. Phillips reported that staff looked at outsourcing a few years ago, it was basically equal from a cost perspective, but the Village provides a higher level of service. Mr. Street recalled that the Village Board voted to get rid of this service in the early 1980s. He stated that at the next meeting, the Council Chambers was full and it was reinstated. Trustee Benton asked if the new vacuums would be electric. Mr. Phillips stated that electric leaf vacuums are not being produced at this time.

Mr. Phillips reported that the WRF will start using new phosphorus removal chemicals, but the amount needed is still unknown.

Adjournment:

There being no further business or discussion, Trustee Jacoby moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.

https://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09262023-1027