Pingree Grove looks to plug budget deficit

Pingree Grove is headed toward being more than a half-million dollars in the red if it doesn't make drastic cuts to its proposed budget.

At a village board meeting Monday, officials unveiled the 2010-11 fiscal year spending document that shows a $509,899 deficit in the village's $1.3 million general fund.

To help alleviate the deficit, leaders are considering a series of taxes and new fees - including a raising a 1 percent telecommunications tax, introducing vehicle stickers and enacting a separate tax for gas and utilities - while also researching other ways to generate revenue.

Those proposals would raise at least $150,000, according to figures provided by Finance Director Laura Pisarcik.

The board also was expected to discuss to implementing staff reductions that would save $72,815, but hadn't yet reached that point late Monday evening.

During the meeting, officials talked about scaling back on training, conferences and the like for village employees.

"If it's not mandatory for your position, then it shouldn't be in there," Trustee Greg Marston said.

Police Chief Carol Lussky suggested a cost-cutting measure for her department - putting Deputy Chief Shawn Beane back on patrol and reducing his administrative duties to one day a week, a move she said would save $32,760.

The most heated debate centered on whether to cancel public events meant to bring the community together.

Last year, those events included a fireworks display, a craft show and weekly summer concerts at Centennial Park.

While Marston said he didn't approve of canceling any events, Trustee Stephanie Mette said the village can't afford to ignore the idea.

"We're cutting everywhere else, and we should cut back a little on special events," Mette said. "I understand that people enjoy it, but it is a luxury."

Budget discussions will continue; a public hearing on the fiscal year spending document is scheduled for Monday, April 19.