Island Lake may cut meetings to cut back on costs

Concerned about a projected $367,000 budget deficit, Island Lake trustees are hoping to save money by reducing the number of times they meet every month.

The village board on Thursday debated whether to trim their meetings to two a month, down from three.

The step could save money because board members are paid $100 for every meeting they attend, said Trustee Don Verciglio, who proposed the changes. Additionally, one less meeting a month means less money going to pay the village's attorney and clerk, who also are paid on a per-meeting basis, Verciglio said.

He estimated the reduced meeting schedule could save $13,000 a year.

That's a pretty good chunk," Verciglio said.

The board now holds a committee meeting on the first Thursday of the month and regular board meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

The proposal being considered would place board meetings on the second Thursday of each month and a committee meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Additional meetings could be scheduled as needed, as is the case in any village or with any other local governmental board.

A final decision wasn't made Thursday. The plan could be approved at the board's next meeting on May 13.

Trustees also debated increasing the annual passenger-vehicle sticker fee to $25, up from $20. Sticker fees for boats, motorcycles, scooters or other vehicles wouldn't be affected.

The reduced fee for cars owned by senior citizens, which is now $5, wouldn't change. That didn't sit well Trustee Don Saville, who thought everyone should be affected.

Saville also said the fees for all vehicles should increase, but other trustees and Mayor Debbie Herrmann said the panel opted not to purse that option at a recent budget discussion.

The sticker-fee change could be approved May 13, too.