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Politics & Government

Water and Sewer Fund Remains A Concern for Village Officials

Administrators will continue to keep an eye on the water and were fund, which will need to close a $432,186 gap.

The fiscal year 2012 mid-year review for the gave no real surprises -- though there was extensive conversation about the health of the water and sewer fund.

At a meeting earlier this week, Village Manager Bridget Wachtel presented the budget, which shows the village's general fund and water and sewer fund are expected to close the year end with a positive fund balance.

Revenues are also trending about $104,720 and expenditures are under by $304,743. The general fund is expected to close with just more than $5.8 million while the water and sewer fund will close at just under $915,000.

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Still, while the water and sewer fund has expenditures under budget by about $26,489, revenues are expected to be down as well, by $160,240.

The ultimate result is that $432,186 will be needed to close the gap, which Wachtel called "somewhat alarming" in a memo to the village trustees. She said alternative financing will have to be explored to sustain the fund.

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Overall, the economy and recession has had an impact on the budget, as well as personnel turnover, Wachtel said. The village also has the burden of improving the water and sewer system; ultimately, a study indicated that the village would need to make $8 million in improvements.

There were several bright spots of savings in the budget, including several expenses that remain under budget.

None of the information was unexpected for officials, Mayor Paul Braun said. He commended village staff for their work and noted the village's water and sewer infrastructure will be an ongoing challenge.

"The general fund is doing as well as can be expected in this economy," he added. "And when you're dealing with an 85-year-old sewer system, at some point you are going to have to have some major improvements."

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