MM_070617

4 | July 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger news
mokenamessenger.com
Village of Mokena Board of Trustees
Increased revenue projected in 2018 budget
Jon DePaolis
Freelance Reporter
In the revenue department
for the Village of Mokena,
things are looking up.
The Village of Mokena
Board of Trustees approved
its fiscal year 2018 budget
June 26 in a 5-0 vote.
Trustees Debbie Engler
and Jim Richmond were
absent, and Mayor Frank
Fleischer cast ballots in all
votes during the meeting.
The total fiscal year 2018
budget calls for revenues of
approximately $25.47 million
(an increase in revenue
of about $1.7 million from
fiscal year 2017, or about
7.16 percent) and expenditures
of approximately
$24.75 million (an increase
of $287,693 from fiscal year
2017, or about 1.18 percent).
The overall status of Mokena
— factoring in the
2018 budget — calls for a
beginning balance of about
$45.41 million and an ending
balance of $46.13 million.
During his presentation of
the budget, Village Administrator
John Tomasoski said
one of the things staff tries
to remember during the budget
process is the question
“What is our purpose?”
“At the end of it, we always
remember it is to provide
our core services and be
there for our customers,” he
said.
In the general fund, the
2018 budget calls for revenues
of about $10.15 million
and expenditures of $10.05
million. With a starting balance
of $3.29 million in the
general fund, staff anticipates
ending the fiscal year
2018 cycle with a balance of
$3.4 million.
In the capital improvement
fund, the 2018 budget
calls for $2.67 million in
revenues and $2.47 million
in expenditures. The beginning
balance in that fund is
projected at $7.69 million,
and is expected to end the
fiscal year at $7.89 million.
In the water and sewer
fund, the budget estimates
revenues of $6.89 million
and expenditures of $6.99
million. The fund is expected
to start the fiscal year with a
balance of $1.92 million and
end the fiscal year with a balance
of $1.83 million.
In differentiating between
the Village and the State,
Round it up
A brief recap of action and discussion at the June 26
meeting of the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees
• Board members voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution that would
increase the wages of non-represented Village employees by
2.5 percent.
• Board members also voted 5-0 to approve a special use
permit to Tom Morack to construct an outdoor storage yard at
the business located at 9200 W. 191st St. Per the conditions
of the agreement, Morack is to build an 8-foot masonry
screening wall and add landscaping to the site.
• The Village Board members also voted 5-0 to appoint
Police Chief Steve Vaccaro as one of the Village’s freedom of
information officers.
Tomasoski mentioned that
Mokena has a bond rating
of AA+ from Standard and
Poor’s, which is the second
highest municipal rating issued.
He also said local sales
tax is at an all-time high, and
the general fund is in the
best shape it’s ever been.
“We should maintain a
strong cash positon and resist
the urge to spend money
because it is available,” he
said. “Utilization of available
cash should be well
thought, serve established
objectives and not create any
long-term obligations.”
After the presentation,
Fleischer thanked staff and
the board for their work in
creating the budget.
“Tonight, you see the culmination
of a lot of work —
a lot of work by the staff and
the board,” Fleischer said.
“There was a lot arguing this
year, a lot of discussion and
a lot of differences of opinions.
It’s not all just cut and
dry.
“[Here], I think you’ve
seen a very good example
of what happens when the
board and staff work together
to bring to the residents
what they deserve — a good,
balanced budget with a surplus.”
For more, visit MokenaMessenger.com.
Plan to join us!
Ingalls Open Golf Outing
Monday, August 7, 2017
Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, IL
Schedule for Day
• 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Registration
• 11:00 a.m. Continuous Lunch
• 11:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
• 5:00 p.m. Presentation & Awards Reception
EACH PARTICIPANT’S ENTRY FEE INCLUDES:
▼ Green fee and cart
▼ Complimentary gift
▼ BBQ lunch
▼ Food and drink on course
▼ Cocktails & heavy hors d’oeuvres
▼ Chance to win numerous awards
▼ The good feeling of helping a great cause
A change in venue this year for the annual Ingalls Open
Golf outing, invites you to play at Olympia Fields Country
Club, site of this year's Women's PGA Championship!
Both the South and North courses are available for play.
A portion of all proceeds support our world class Irwin
Retina Center that treats retina disease and restores sight
to those suffering from macular degeneration.
Register by June 30 to receive Early Bird Discount.
North Course:
Championship
South Course:
Ingalls
Open Golf
Outing
Benefitting:
Irwin
Retina
Center
Individual $600 • Foursome $2,400 Until June 30th
Individual $650 • Foursome $2,600 After June 30th
Individual $500 • Foursome $2,000 Until June 30th
Individual $550 • Foursome $2,200 After June 30th
Register by calling 708.915.6153 or online at Ingalls.org/foundation