Glen Ellyn implements finance committee

Despite concerns from some village board members, Glen Ellyn will create a separate finance commission to offer an outside look at the town's budget.

It's something Village President Mark Pfefferman has been pushing for since he started campaigning for his post, but not all trustees shared his enthusiasm.

Trustee Peter Cooper, for example, said Monday he's still not sure what the panel will do. He said he doesn't want to add an extra burden on the already-lean finance department.

However, he was comfortable with a concession that will allow the board to take a look at - and disband - the commission if it doesn't meet expectations in the next year.

Trustee Jim Comerford, the only board member to vote against the idea, said there isn't much leeway in the budget to make large changes.

"I don't see the value in this," he said.

There also were concerns about an overlap with the capital improvements commission, which already takes a look at projects that make up between 30 percent and 40 percent of the budget.

However, Pfefferman said capital issues will be left to that specific commission and insisted another group of financial experts could offer creative solutions the board may never have come up with.

Pfefferman said the advisory commission, made up of seven experts from the community, will look at the long-term finances of the village and stay away from addressing day-to-day expenses.

The group also will study revenue and expense trends and try to develop ideas for alternative funding, including on the business front.

"There's room for input and creativity," Pfefferman said.

Those interested in applying for a spot on the finance commission can visit village hall or submit an application through the "boards and commissions" section at glenellyn.org.