Pingree Grove wants to form finance task force
Pingree Grove officials are looking to form a finance task force after residents suggested doing so during a heated board meeting earlier this month.
The task force will be made up of five to seven residents who will examine the general fund operations of the village and then recommend possible changes to the village’s upcoming budget, according to a village news release. The village is projecting a $50,000 deficit for the current fiscal year, which ends April 30, 2012.
Several residents asked that a yet-to-be-formed committee of residents be given a chance to look at the village’s budget to find ways to stave off tax increases implemented at the Aug. 15 meeting. The board voted to raise the sanitary sewer fee and telecommunications tax and implement a tax on natural gas use.
Village officials said altogether that would amount to an extra $12 a month on residents’ bills, though several residents said that estimate was too low.
Those interested in serving on the task force are asked to submit a resume or letter of interest by Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Applicants will meet with Village President Greg Marston the following week “to discuss their interest in the task force, and to discuss other ways that they may be able to assist the village,” the release said. Marston did not return a call for comment.
The release stated Marston will make recommendations to the village board by Sept. 16, and potential approval of the proposed appointments is expected to happen at the Sept. 19 board meeting. The task force will begin meeting Sept. 22 in order to make its recommendations to the village board at the Nov. 12 committee of the whole meeting.
For details, call the village at (847) 464-5533.