City of Sandwich Special Committee of the Whole met Feb. 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 1:05 PM.
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Robinson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey & Kreinbrink
Alderman Redden arrived at 1:12 PM
Also present: Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, Chief Bianchi, Support Services / Administrative Clerk Lori Johnson, Street Supervisor Sean Horan, and Water Superintendent Brian Voelkel.
Absent: Alderman Surratt
Continued Discussion on the 2020-2021 Budget:
Personnel issues were addressed. The cost of living per the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension reflects.85% whereas the CPI (Consumer Price Index) lists 2.3% in January, 2020. Wes Levy of Lauterbach & Amen advised that personnel costs account for 70% of the annual budget. Thus far in the current fiscal year, the City has paid $225,000.00 in longevity, and payouts for unused sick and vacation hours. To save money, suggestions were offered to eliminate longevity and refuse payouts for unused sick and vacation hours until an employee leaves City employment. Council would like to see overtime reduced but acknowledged that some departments are understaffed.
Other proposals to increase city revenue included raising real estate taxes and raising the water / sewer rates. Engineer Horak remarked that the water / sewer rates are automatically increased annually according to the Municipal Code. The question continues to plague the Council on how revenue will be impacted with the loss of sales tax revenue from Gjovik’s when they relocate to Plano. Also briefly discussed was the aging infrastructure for the Opera House that houses the City offices. Furnaces and air conditioner continue to fail and are need of a replacement.
Departmental budgets were not available for Admin, Streets and Water. The goal is to have a draft budget ready by March 16th to afford the Council an opportunity to review prior to the next budget meeting.
Alderwoman Killey left the meeting at 2:16 PM
Alderman Dell left the meeting at 2:30 PM
The next Special COW Meeting to discuss budget matters will be Wednesday, March 18th at 1:00 PM.
Audience Comments: WSPY news correspondent, Jim Wyman, asked questions pertaining to the City’s longevity program, if there is a note on the Designed Stairs building, if the City has been contacted regarding potential cannabis establishments, and if Metra has expressed interest in purchasing the Gletty Road property owned by the City.
Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Kelleher to adjourn the Special Committee-of-the-Whole Council meeting at 2:35 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/bud022620.pdf
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