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lockportlegend.com NEWS
the Lockport Legend | November 22, 2017 | 5
City Council
School facilities impact fees could see 80 percent reduction
Budget for FY 2018
gets approval
Jacquelyn Schlabach
Assistant Editor
The ongoing discussion
on the reduction in school
facilities impact fees was the
main focus at the Nov. 15
Lockport Committee of the
Whole meeting.
Officials came to a consensus
of an 80 percent reduction
of the impact fees,
along with a removal of the
four percent annual fee escalator.
At the Nov. 7 City Council
meeting, City Administrator
Ben Benson presented information
to the council about
the potential reduction of the
school facilities impact fees
by 50 or 100 percent.
The impact fees provide
school districts with funds
for new buildings, additions
and improvements in
an effort to compensate any
shortfalls as a result of residential
growth, as previously
reported by The Legend.
“We have run some other
numbers in regards to 70 or
75 percent, but the effectiveness
of those numbers and
running those don’t change
the bottom line that much,”
Benson said. “A 75 percent
reduction is $15,903 versus
an 80 percent reduction
at $15,530. I think a couple
hundred dollars is probably
not going to make a big difference
one way or another.”
Included in the city ordinance
of taxing bodies that
receive money, aside from
the school districts and high
school, are the fire districts
and the library.
Third Ward Alderman
Darren Deskin suggested
that the $100 library impact
fee be eliminated completely
or be subject to the 80 percent
reduction.
“I can’t comprehend how
a new home is going to have
an impact on the facility at
the library,” Deskin said.
“They already have a brand
new facility since this was
brought up.”
However, Deskin was in
favor of increasing just the
Homer Township Fire District
fee from $250 to $500
because of their financial
stress, and keeping the other
fire districts at $250.
Third Ward Council Member
Jason VanderMeer was
not in favor of Deskin’s proposal
because he believes it
adds unnecessary complexity
by doing different rates
for different fire districts.
“Homer Township Fire
District has a funding issue
and they have to solve
that with their constituents.
I don’t think it’s a Lockport
City thing,” VanderMeer
said.
First Ward Alderman Jim
Petrakos, who will abstain
from voting on the issue,
asked that the council remain
fair and not judge different
taxing bodies on who needs
money and who doesn’t.
Any taxing body will have
two weeks to appeal the 80
percent reduction proposal if
they feel it isn’t a good number,
Mayor Steve Streit said.
After that, it will be voted
on, and if approved, take effect
Jan. 1, 2018.
FY 2018 Budget approved
During the City Council
meeting, the council unanimously
approved the budget
for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget was presented
at the Oct. 18 meeting and
a public hearing was held
Nov. 1.
As noted in the budget,
$9.9 million of excess reserves
will be used to fund
infrastructure projects
throughout Lockport. It’s
part of the city’s approach
to improve roads and water
quality. There is also an operating
surplus of $146,800
included in the budget.
Lockport police officers
and community members
recognized
Several Lockport Police
officers were recognized at
the Nov. 15 meeting for their
various acts of heroism and
dedication to the department.
Officer Vincent Vitacco
was awarded Officer of the
Year in October because of
his dedication and performance
on traffic related issues.
Officer Kevin Brauch
and auxiliary officer Michael
Chen were presented with the
meritorious conduct award.
Auxiliary officer Robert
Tague was also awarded for
his dedication to the police
department.
Veterinarian Dr. Paul
Nevin and assistant Carrie
Budzinski at All Pets Hospital
were each given an award
for their continued care of the
department’s K-9 Citgo.
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Fatigue
Hair Loss
Constipation
Low Libido
Cold Hands/Feet
Insomnia
Depression/Anxiety
Heart Palpitations
Muscle Weakness
Muscle Aches/Pains
Digestive Problems
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