Campton Hills expects rise in costs

The village of Campton Hills is anticipating expenditures of up to $3.3 million for the coming fiscal year - about a 50-percent increase over last year's prediction.

Officials at a public hearing on the matter Tuesday attributed the spike to the fact that the prior year's appropriations ordinance represented a shorter financial forecast because the village didn't incorporate until last April.

The latest projection also is partly based anticipated revenues from an ongoing special census expected to increase per-capita state revenue, and it reflects legal fees mounting as the village continues to defend itself against legal challenges to its incorporation.

"We can save a lot of money on that (legal fees) line item if we come together and work together," said Trustee Susan George, referring to dozens of civil cases that have been playing out for a year. "We can make a significant impact and use that money for more important things."

Because the village was recently incorporated, it does not approve an annual budget the way many municipalities do, said Village Treasurer Kathy Catalano. Instead, the village board - as it did unanimously Tuesday - adopts an appropriation ordinance, which takes into account every possible cent the village might spend, regardless of whether it will actually have the money. Last year, the village approved an appropriation ordinance totaling just less than $2 million, but actually spent closer to $1.2 million, Catalano said. This coming year's expenditures probably will be in the range of $2 million, which is how much the village actually anticipates in revenue.

The latest ordinance carves out up to $710,000 for professional services - which includes legal expenses, financial audits and information technology costs up from $331,000 the year before. Officials could not immediately say how much of the total line item might actually be used for legal services.

Potential police expenditures also more than doubled, to $876,000 from $462,000 last year, when the police department wasn't officially in operation until November.

On Tuesday, village officials spoke favorably about their financial picture, though several residents complained that contingency appropriations were too high.

"We are operating a lot on the fly and I think that gives people a little discomfort," Trustee Mike Millette said. But, "We're doing what we feel is necessary to do."