Board Briefs: Budget Talk and Earth Hour

Preliminary Budget: Flossmoor Village Manager Bridget Wachtel presented the village’s 2012 preliminary budget during Monday night’s meeting.

During her presentation, Wachtel reflected upon the five-year project analysis conducted during the 2011 fiscal year. Two main conclusions were drawn from the analysis, both of which concern the money generated from Flossmoor’s 2006 tax referendum.

“First, the village was pleased to report that we continue to expect the 2006 referendum monies to sustain our operations through fiscal year 2012 as originally projected,” Wachtel said. “Second, and of a greater concern, the study projects that the village’s financial outlook will significantly change starting in fiscal year 2013, when the village will be utilizing a significant amount of find balance to close a revenue gap.”

This means that after 2012, Flossmoor will be facing a tough financial situation as the money from the 2006 referendum begins to dwindle.

Wachtel continued to forewarn that if no preventative action is taken, the village will be in a dismal financial situation. She summed up her presentation with a very matter-of-fact assessment.

“My message tonight really is no different than it was a year ago: We are certainly in no financial crisis, but we need to start to prepare,” she said.

Mayor Paul Braun provided an optimistic view of the immediate situation.

“We are seeing exactly what the staff predicted (in 2006) outside of any recessionary issues,” Braun said. “What is pleasing is how well our conditions (and) the police and fire departments are doing. It’s nice to see how healthy the internal operations of the village are, as well as our commissions and our programs.”

Earth Hour: Trustees voted “yes” on a proclamation to designate the hour of 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 as a time in which all village lights will be turned off in honor of “Earth Hour.”

Tag Day Request: Trustees voted to allow the Les Turner ALS Foundation a tag day on Saturday, May 21. Traditionally, a tag day is when collectors for a charitable fund solicit contributions and, in return, each contributor is given a tag to show that he or she contributed. 

Extension of Green Study Group Term: The village board voted to allow Flossmoor’s Green Study Group a six-month extension on its one-year term. The Green Study Group is charged with the duty of researching and reviewing ways to increase the community’s environmental friendliness.