City of Byron Committee of the Whole met March 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Cheryl Metz, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin (5:45 pm arrival). Six members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
Aldermen Absent: Mittzi Fulrath
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
Dir. Of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Police Chief Todd Murray
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the March 16, 2022, Community of the Whole Agenda. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. 2022-2023 BUDGET – Alderman Isaacs reviewed the budget summary by account. He recommends leaving the Local Tax, which had recently been saved for roads, in the general fund. The 1% tax revenue will continue to be earmarked towards roads. Estimated revenues and expenses are higher this year due to money we have or will receive from grants and COVID funds. He was more conservative on expenses, since the budget can be changed if necessary.
Alderman Isaacs pointed out funds in the TIF account to be used for the City Hall Parking lot, and MFT Rebuild Illinois funds that will be used for the Mill Road project. Telecommunications Tax has decreased over the last several years, and the budget reflects this. Some of that money is earmarked for squad cars.
Cell tower rental money is put into the water and sewer depreciation account. Remaining capital improvement money will also go into this account sometime in future fiscal years. Water tower maintenance is costly, and this account could cover expenses such as this, as well as preventative water and sewer maintenance. Sewer connection will pay for $897,900 in engineering costs on the new water treatment plant. It will be reimbursed through the loan eventually.
Alderman Isaacs expects a surplus in Water and Sewer of approximately $164,120 due to the increase in rates.
Alderman Isaacs then reviewed the detailed budget. Clerk Huber emailed a copy of the Budget to aldermen this morning. That attached excel budget spreadsheet includes line items that have a red mark on them. These are where alderman can view Alderman Isaac’s comments and formulas.
Alderman Isaacs pointed out that sales tax and income tax are our main sources of tax revenue. He invited Aldermen to contact him with any questions on the budget.
5. ADJOURN – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the meeting at 5:49 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/committee_of_the_whole/meeting/4074/3-16-22_committee_of_the_whole_minutes-budget-approved.pdf
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