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4 | October 10, 2019 | the orland Park Prairie news <strong>OP</strong>Prairiedaily.com Orland Park Village Board Public budget hearing focuses on $25 million in capital projects Jon DePaolis Freelance Reporter The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees continued fiscal year 2020 budget discussions Sept. 30 during a special hearing that touched upon capital improvement, technology, and water and sewer projects. The proposed fiscal year 2020 budget would spend approximately $25.7 million on capital projects, $1.1 million on technology, and $1.4 million on vehicles and equipment. Funding for these expenses would come from the general fund (approximately $2.6 million), home rule sales tax ($6.65 million), the water and sewer fund ($4.5 million), an existing line of credit ($4 million for capital improvement projects) and additional debt proceeds ($4.8 million in capital improvement projects, and $3 million for water and sewer). For the capital improvement projects slated to be funded by existing line of credit revenue and additional debt, the projects include $3.3 million for the roadway maintenance program, $4 million for the roadway reconstruction program, $580,000 for the Harlem Avenue street lighting wire replacement, $500,000 for Phase 2 improvements to the John Humphrey Complex, and $400,000 for a telecommunications system upgrade. The water and sewer project slated to be funded by additional debt would be for water main replacements in the amount of $2.6 million. “The road programs have already been tentatively approved by the board for about $4 million in additional debt, and that’s part of the road program that has been discussed previously,” Interim Village Manager Tom Dubelbeis said. “If the Board of Trustees approves all the items in the capital budget, it will increase debt by an additional $7.84 million. That’s if all projects are approved.” In terms of existing Village debt, Dubelbeis said that $6.7 million of debt would be paid in 2019; $5 million in 2020; and $19 million in both 2021 and 2022. “By the end of 2022, $49 million in debt will go away,” Dubelbeis said. “We’re not recommending you replace it with $49 million of debt, but it certainly gives you the latitude to continue to be fiscally responsible and take on debt as it makes sense to provide services to the community.” In regard to the roads, Trustee Dan Calandriello asked how certain roads were selected for repair. According to Village staff, the process involves a list put together by a consultant that ranked roads in order of those in most need of repairs, as well as staff input on roads that have received complaints about increasing deterioration. Mayor Keith Pekau also mentioned that practicality plays a part. “Also, if I recall from this year, what [staff] tried to do with a few is if we had — in one case — two subdivisions being done and right in between was a third one that made sense [to repair even though] it was not one of the Top 10,” he said. “But it was like [Top] 30. So, they did them all at once.” Trustee James Dodge pointed out that the increased road funding would not be a “one-off thing.” “If I’ve heard staff correctly, over time, this is multiple years at roughly $7 million a year that we’re recommending,” Dodge said. “So, this is the start of potentially $35 million to $40 million worth of road improvements over the next 5-7 years.” In terms of funding, Dodge said there are only a few options the Village can take. “We need to invest in our roads,” he said. “Roads cost money. You either borrow it or you raise taxes, or you cut expenditures elsewhere. Pretty simple formula.” Meanwhile, Pekau said one of the reasons for borrowing to help fund the water and sewer projects is because water and sewer rate revenues were “soft this year.” Finance Director Annmarie Mampe expanded on that during the meeting. “We’ve seen a significant decline in our consumption over the last three years, and [revenue] has taken a pretty big hit,” Mampe said. “All the water rates have gone up every year over the last five years, because our consumption has gone down so much.” She said there will need to be further analysis of the water fund and consumption rates to factor into planning for future years. Dodge pointed out that, overall, the Village’s financial history has allowed it to be able to take on new challenges. “I’m just thrilled that we’re in a place to have this kind of financial strength,” Dodge said. “All those plans years ago netted us exactly the situation today, so we can start to put money back for our residents. It worked out well.” At the end of the meeting, Mampe said the proposal for the items discussed would remain a draft until formally approved by the Village Board in December — meaning it could be subject to change as more conversations take place about the budget. There was tentative agreement over the items from all of the trustees, though. “I have no problems supporting this as a very welldone simulation,” Dodge said prior to the rest of the Village Board giving a nonbinding vote of consensus. D135 committee questions trend of parents eating with students at lunch Board advisory committee also takes another look at pot policy Rochelle McAuliffe, Freelance Reporter Policies regarding parents visiting students for lunch and a drug-free workplace with the legalization of cannabis in January 2020 were the two hot topics at the Orland School District 135 Policy/Personnel Board Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 1. Out of a concern for the safety and privacy of students, the committee discussed Policy 8:30, referencing visitors and conduct on school property because of an increased number of parents visiting school campuses during lunchtimes to eat with students. According to committee members, this trend is not only alarming but also disruptive. “Every time a door opens to let a visitor in, that’s breaking our safety and security,” said Suzanne Owens, director of human resources for the district. “We also just want them to be able to be kids and to be able to engage with their peers.” In addition to the disruption in the school day for students, there is an extra burden put on staff. Janitorial staff is forced to put out additional tables, and administrative staff is pressed to accommodate the checking in and out of multiple parents in a timely yet secure manner. Committee member Brian Riordan questioned if there was any benefit at all. “I just don’t understand it,” Riordan said. “It’s a break in their [school] day routine. This is a safety issue, it’s a social issue, it’s an administrative issue and it’s a social disruption.” Owens referenced the policy of New Lenox School District 122, which allows parents to pick up children for pre-approved, off-campus lunches on special occasions such as birthdays, and the committee discussed implementing a similar policy. The committee is to discuss the issue with the Board of Education at the next full board meeting 8 7 Drug policy in schools discussed as cannabis legalization looms After the passing of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, cannabis will become legal on Jan. 1, 2020. As legalization draws nearer, Illinois school districts are being advised to look at policies and procedures regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco Please see d135, 8
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Page 48: Orland Park’s Hometown Newspaper

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