DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Finance Committee met July 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Alderwoman Erickson called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM

Roll call was taken:

Present: Alderman Robinson, Alderwoman Inman, Alderwoman Erickson, Alderman Danko, and Alderman Kreinbrink

Also Present: Chief Senne arriving at 6:35pm

Review of Semi-Monthly Bills ran on 07/01/25:

Alderman Robinson noted that some of the meal reimbursements for Police training are exceeding what the policy manual states is permissible. Chief Senne noted that there is a dollar value in the CBA's for Officers to receive $45 a day for meals, or what the Personnel Policy states, but they will be paid the highest rate. The current Personnel Policy illustrates a breakdown for Breakfast at $10.00, Lunch at $15.00, and Dinner at $20.00 or $45.00 and matches the CBA's daily allotments. The individual meal request amounts, exceed the individual meal allotments described within the Personnel Policy. Because of this difference, the Finance Committee reduced the three requests by $57.14 to match the allowable daily limits of the Personnel Policy Manual. Chief Senne requested that the Finance Committee look at a better way of tabulating travel pay as with the economy as it is, the illustrated meal rates are not aligned with today's costs. Additionally, the CBA's and the Personnel Policy match as a total, but because one offers a meal breakdown and the other doesn't there could be a grievance filed by the represented employees regarding this matter.

Unfinished Business:

None

New Business:

Approval of Minutes from June 16, 2025-

Approval of the meeting minutes from the June 16, 2025, meeting. A motion was made by Alderwoman Inman and seconded by Alderman Danko - motion passed by voice vote. Passed

Alderman Danko requested to start seeing payroll expenses as they directly impact the budget. Alderman Robinson stated that the Council did receive them in the past but then stopped receiving them several years ago.

Audience Comments:

City Clerk/Collector Denise li asked the Committee if a cell phone stipend could be paid to personnel in the office or if a cell phone could be purchased for the office staff to use to contact field personnel. Texting has become a more favorable means of communication with the field personnel, and currently staff need to use their own phones to make this happen.

Rebecca Nelson Commented on the meal allowances and asked if the costs of a grievance would be worth if, or if the Personnel Policy should just be revised. Fixing it seems more appropriate. The costs of the EV charging stations are not currently in the budget. May want to reconsider this because there appears to be items that are still unknow.

Authorization to pass bills onto the Council for approval:

A motion to forward the adjusted bills to Council for approval as amended ($209,420.85)

Motion made by Alderwoman Inman and seconded by Alderman Danko - motion passed by voice vote. Passed

Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the Committee, a motion made by Alderwoman Inman and seconded by Alderman Danko to adjourn were made. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 6:56pm

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3756