Public Hearing

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD SPECIAL MEETING ON THE 2020-21 BUDGET TUESDAY—APRIL 28, 2020 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM and audio conferencing CALL TO ORDER: Village President Hofeld called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. There were no members of the public at Village Hall. The meeting was conducted by President Hofeld from the Board Room. ROLL CALL: Clerk Marilyn Thomas called the roll. Those present were Village President Richard Hofeld at Village Hall, with Trustee Barbara Dawkins, Trustee Lisa Purcell, Trustee Karen Washington, Trustee Lauren Roman, Trustee Jay Heiferman, Trustee Larry Burnson and Clerk Thomas via audio conference. NOTE: Due to the Governor’s emergency order suspending provisions of the Open Meetings Act because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing recommendations, elected officials are permitted to participate via video/audio. The Board Room was open to the public during the meeting. PRESENTATION: Finance Director Dennis Bubenik reviewed the $32 million 2020- 21 operating budget as presented to the Village Board at the April 14 meeting. He pointed out that the Village collects taxes from five main sources: Sales, Places for Eating, Income, Utilities and Property Taxes for revenue. The General Fund is used for public safety and public works. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village staff has prepared a budget that reflects more than $800,000 in lost revenues and sent to the Village Board ways to cut Village expenses without layoffs. He said since the April 14 meeting, the Village has found a way to reduce the deficit even further from $292,000 to $229,000. Director Bubenik said the next 12 months will be critical as staff looks at how their estimates compare with actual numbers. He thanked the Village Board, department heads and Village Manager Marino for their continued efforts working to revise the budget numbers, and especially Amy Zukowski, assistant finance director, whose service was invaluable to him as he developed this revised budget. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Clerk Thomas read aloud the attached letter submitted prior to the meeting via email by resident John Farris. COMMENTS FROM STAFF: Finance Director Bubenik responded to several of Farris’ comments. He said the Village initially projected a $300,000 surplus, but that was before the COVID-19 shelter in place order impacted anticipated revenues. After revising the preliminary budget in light of the economic slowdown, the Village now anticipates a deficit of $229,000. The Village is using a portion of its Fund Balance to balance the budget. He said the most severe option to a reduced budget would be layoffs. The revised budget to be voted on by the board does not include layoffs. Bubenik said it may take several years for revenues to recover, so the Village may need to rely on its Fund Balance to balance future budgets. Following the 2008 recession, the Village Board dipped into the Fund Balance for four years to balance the budget. Because of this, it would be imprudent to use more of the fund balance now. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD: President Hofeld extended thanks to Dennis Bubenik and Amy Zukowski, Manager Marino, department heads and the Village Board for their work in recreating the 2020-21 budget in a very short period of time, all for the benefit and interest of the Village of Homewood. Village Board members also extended their thanks. Trustee Heiferman stressed the Village Board’s actions show how Trustees are prudent. Heiferman added that to use the Fund Balance for initiatives that can be postponed would be wrong. If the Trustees see improvements by fall, then maybe it can consider more leaf pickup. A motion was made by Trustee Burnson and seconded by Trustee Washington to adjourn the Special Meeting on the 2020-21 budget. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Washington, Roman, Heiferman and Burnson. NAYS –None. Motion carried. The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Thomas Village Clerk