Vernon Hills festival spending hits sour note

The musical entertainment at Vernon Hills' Summer Celebration no doubt will pack a punch, but some extra oomph sought by organizers appears to have fallen short by $2,200.

In what became a matter of principle, a majority of Vernon Hills village trustees refused to yield on the extra expense to hire the band Mike & Joe.

That band, which has appeared at the annual festival before, was touted as being a linchpin for an "amazing" evening of music with multiple acts.

But not even a threat of karaoke made in jest or the promise by Mayor Roger Byrne to foot nearly half the added expense could turn the tide.

Still bruised by a painful battle to balance the budget, a majority of trustees apparently felt it too soon to start approving added expenses.

"We worked long and hard to come up with our budget this year," said Trustee Barb Williams.

Trustees were considering a resolution to sign contracts with several acts for the July 15-18 event that included the addition of Mike & Joe, for a total of $39,200.

Mike & Joe, said volunteer organizer Erin Byrne, the mayor's daughter, draw huge crowds. Moving them to Saturday night would result in an "amazing" evening of music with multiple acts, she informed the board.

But doing that would put the bill for musical entertainment $4,200 over the original budget. Allison said $2,000 could be found within the Summer Celebration budget, leaving a gap of $2,200.

Trustees did not favor transferring funds from elsewhere, however.

"I can cover $1,000," Roger Byrne said at one point in a 50-minute discussion.

"We have committed to something we had no knowledge of prior to it happening," Williams replied.

Roger Byrne noted the village never has made money off the event and understood the budget concern.

"Nobody has to lecture me on that," he said.

"This is something that gives back to the community and to the thousands of people who come here and shop everyday. There's some benefit to this."

In a rare action, Roger Byrne seconded a motion by Trustee Jim Schultz to vote on an entertainment budget of $39,200.

That failed 3-2, with Williams and Trustees Mike Marquardt and Jeanne Schwartz voting against. The board ultimately approved the $35,000 budget for entertainment.

The overall budget for Summer Celebration is about $128,000, the same as last year. The entertainment portion is about $25,000 less than a few years ago.

Approved acts include Mr. Slate, Vertical Horizon, B-Side Band, Arra, the Smithereens and Cavern Beat.