Buffalo Grove OKs contingency spending threshold for 2012

Buffalo Grove has set its spending threshold for 2012. The appropriation ordinance passed Monday totals $76.6 million, which exceeds the total budget approved by the village board by $18.4 million, or 32 percent.

The ordinance includes a cushion for unexpected expenses that could occur to make sure spending does not exceed what was authorized by law.

Village President Jeffrey Braiman pointed out that while the ordinance is in excess of the budget, it will not affect the tax levy, which has already been passed. He added that it is consistent with the procedure of the trustees in his 20-plus years on the board.

Finance Director Scott Anderson told the board that the cushion in the corporate fund, which provides dollars for such daily operations as police, fire and public works, would amount to $4.7 million.

Other appropriations for contingencies include $2.2 million in the Waterworks and Sewerage Fund for possible adjustments to the Lake County sanitary sewer treatment fee, $811,000 for capital projects involving lift station improvements and the completion of a deep well at Pump House No. 7 and $385,000 for the operations of the Northwest Water Commission.

Special Revenue Funds received appropriations that exceed the approved budget of those funds by $4.1 million and are mainly geared toward possible debts incurred within the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for special projects.

Also, the ordinance includes appropriations totaling $8.2 million that are provided for in the Police and Fire Pension Funds.

The appropriation for other possible contingencies also includes:

Ÿ $940,504 for possible increases in either debt service or transfers of funds to capital projects, since several proposed projects have not yet been bid and might have overages.

Ÿ $105,000 for the village’s efforts to address emerald ash borer.

Ÿ $64,000 for expenses related to snow and ice control.

Ÿ $214,000 for Illinois Risk Management Agency workers’ comp and general liability claims in a higher deductible plan option.

Ÿ $775,000 for funding capital reserves.

Ÿ $95,384 for additional fuel (gas/diesel) and vehicle repair costs.

Ÿ $300,000 provision within group medical insurance for possible changes in coverage.

Ÿ $138,000 for special counsel that may exceed what has been budgeted.

Ÿ $395,000 for the Buffalo Grove and Arboretum Golf Funds for such items as building and equipment maintenance and the purchase of chemicals and fertilizers.

Ÿ $830,000 for capital projects such as street construction.

Ÿ $280,000 for the Refuse Service Fund to cover anticipated payments to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC).