Title
FY2025 Budget Amendment #2
History
A detailed spreadsheet (by fund) reflecting budget adjustments is attached. Additionally, several projects were anticipated to be completed during 2024 but were delayed for a variety of reasons. These expenses were approved in the Village’s FY2024 budget. This 2024 list will be presented to the Board at a subsequent Village Board meeting.
In the meantime, below is information regarding the current proposed budget amendments.
Internship Program
At the June 2, 2025 Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved an internship program. Interns will be allocated to a single line item within Human Resources to easily monitor the cost of this program. We are seeking to increase budget spending within Human Resources in the amount of $157,757.84 which includes the Village’s share of Social Security and Medicare.
Tuition Reimbursement
Funding of the established Tuition Reimbursement Program is requested at present and on an annual basis going forward, in accordance with the current adopted policy guidelines, to include all corresponding collective bargaining agreements, in addition to honoring previously denied, eligible employee requests for reimbursement from January 1, 2024, to present. The program was suspended in recent years because budget funding was removed, resulting in the denial of all eligible employee reimbursement requests. Once funding is reinstated, qualifying tuition reimbursement requests will be honored. We have determined that a budget amendment in the amount of $20,000 will fulfill the obligations of the program, based on completed, eligible application requests that have been turned in by employees for costs incurred during calendar year 2025 and prior calendar year 2024.
Attorney Invoices
Billing of invoices from Prosecutor Donna J Norton, Attorney at Law, LLC were delayed, and Finance has recently received invoices for services in March 2024 through April 2025. We are requesting to roll over legal services by $51,462.50 for the 2024 portion of these services billed.
Addition of New Positions
A few changes were made to our current staffing as a result of the latest salary ordinance amendment that was approved by the Village Board on June 16, 2025. The salary ordinance amendment consisted of the creation of two newly created positions titled Outreach Coordinator and Clerk Office Coordinator. In addition, the existing position of Executive Assistant within the Village Manager’s Office was reclassified to Office Support Supervisor due to the current workload and added supervisory responsibilities, and the current Deputy Clerk position was reclassified from Grade 6 to Grade 7 due to the current workload and added supervisory responsibilities.
• The Clerk Office Coordinator was created to provide much needed assistance to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk
• The Outreach Coordinator position was created to act as a liaison between the community and Village staff to improve relations, promote special projects, plan and implement specialized programs and related events, and publish various content to promote the organization and its brand.
Tree Pruning Program
Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program
• Currently, the Village Code indicates that it is the responsibility of residents to prune their parkway trees 8 feet above street or sidewalk. Due to lack of knowledge of cutting trees (the Village provides some guidance on website), lack of attention by homeowners (resulting in many Code Enforcement complaints), and the lack of belief on the part of residents that they should be responsible for trees on parkway since the Village planted them and own them, staff previously proposed a cyclical tree pruning program. This last fact can be especially frustrating to residents because the parkway zone includes sidewalks, parkways easements for utilities, trees, driveway aprons, sprinklers, grass, mailboxes and curbs and is a mixed bag of responsibilities of maintenance, ownership, and digging rights.
The previously proposed program was to include a comprehensive urban forestry plan that would include contractors being hired to maintain the Village’s parkway trees through a rotation of zones. This staff-initiated program was rejected, instead, staff was directed to provide guidelines to residents, and those residents not meeting the guidelines were to be warned and ultimately ticketed. With a limited Code Enforcement staff, it is difficult to monitor residential tree pruning infractions and divert resources.
• Proposed Program
The proposed 2025 Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program would involve a regular schedule of tree maintenance to enhance health, safety, and aesthetics. This will include removing dead, diseased, or high-risk branches, as well as branches that interfere with traffic or utility lines. The program would also involve pruning young trees to promote strong structure and growth.
Key aspects of the Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program will include:
Pruning Frequency:
A seven (7) year cycle would be implemented, with exceptions for unique circumstances.
Pruning Techniques:
Proper pruning techniques would be incorporated to avoid damaging the tree. This will include making cuts at the branch collar, avoiding excessive pruning, and removing only the necessary branches.
Public Safety:
The pruning program will prioritize removing branches that pose a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.
Tree Health:
Regular pruning will help prevent the spread of disease and insect infestations and promote overall tree health.
Aesthetic Appeal:
Pruning will help maintain the shape and symmetry of trees, enhancing their visual appeal.
Professional Expertise:
Professional arborists and tree care specialists will be involved in implementing the pruning programs, especially for large trees or complex situations.
Would not include private property:
The Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program would not impact trees on private property. Private property trees would continue to be the responsibility of property owners and in accordance with Village Code.
Utility Pruning:
ComEd performs routine, cyclical tree pruning on four-year cycles around power lines that run from pole-to-pole and may prune between cycles if there are other problems that may result in interruptions to electric service.
The Village is reallocating $400,000 originally budgeted for Centennial Park West jumbotrons. The program will commence in the Fall, and the Village will cover as many zones as possible throughout the Village. This amount, which was originally being transferred from the General Fund to the Capital Fund for the $700,000 Centennial Park West jumbotron program, will instead remain in the General Fund to pay for this much needed urban forestry program. The $700,000 jumbotron project was rejected at a recent Village Board meeting. The genesis of the jumbotron program was the requirement of one of this summer’s bands. However, in further review of the contract, the band is bringing their own jumbotrons, which they will use during the concert, including the promotion of their own merchandise. In subsequent budgets, the Village will budget funds to accommodate this ongoing tree pruning program.
Design & Engineering
Ravinia Avenue will be extended south and west and connected to La Grange Road at 161st Street. The extension will have two lanes each way with center left-turn lanes where needed. Traffic signals will be added at the intersection of La Grange Road and 161st Street. The project will secure Right-of-Way from various private properties to complete the roadway connection. The estimate for design and engineering services is $246,671.
Financial Impact
The attached spreadsheet identifies the budget impact. If the board approves the budget amendments, a revised version of the Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance is attached. The revised version updates the General fund and Capital Improvement fund per the budget amendments.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve an expenditure increase in the Capital Improvement Fund of $246,671.00 and an expense increase in the General Fund of $471,055.09.