Island Lake officials working to balance budget

Island Lake officials are trying to balance the proposed budget for the 2018 fiscal year, and they say they're nearly there.

After a finance committee discussion Tuesday night, officials have reduced predicted expenses for the new year, which began May 1, to about $8.2 million. A previous draft of the budget had set the total at $8.4 million.

Revenue from property taxes, fees and other sources is expected to be about $8.1 million, up from about $7.5 million in the previous draft.

Reducing expenses is particularly important because officials are anxious state lawmakers will freeze property taxes or reduce payments to the village to solve Illinois' budget problems.

"That's not right," Mayor Charles Amrich said.

Among the projects included in the proposed budget is the installation of new windows at village hall and the adjoining Creative Playtime Preschool. That could cost $15,000.

"The windows being replaced are in terrible shape," Trustee Debra Jenkins said. "Some will not even open."

The budget also includes $35,000 for a pole barn that will be used to store village vehicles such as plows and street sweepers. The village rents storage space now, and constructing a barn "would be a savings in the long run," Jenkins said.

A plan to replace trees killed by emerald ash borers was removed from the spending plan Tuesday. That move cut $20,000 from the budget.

Officials will hold another finance committee meeting May 23 to discuss the budget once more. That session is set for 6 p.m. at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave.

The village board could vote on the plan May 25.