No layoffs or fee increases in Grayslake budget

In stark contrast to many suburbs, Grayslake will begin its new budget year on May 1 with an operating fund surplus, and the promise of no employee layoffs.

Adhering to a long-standing policy of fiscal responsibility and contracting with private-sector companies to handle certain services have combined to keep Grayslake in the black, Assistant Village Manager Derek Soderholm said.

"We've been debt-free for a couple of years," Soderholm said, "and hopefully we stay that way."

Last week, Mundelein officials said a predicted $4.7 million shortfall in the 2010-11 budget could lead to the layoffs of 10 municipal employees. Island Lake officials said Monday that a $367,000 budget shortfall is expected.

Grayslake officials said a $223,000 operating surplus is anticipated in a $16.1 million budget, formally approved this month. Two non-officer police department jobs have been eliminated through attrition.

"The budget fully funds annual pension contributions," Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor said. "Our multiyear efforts to reduce operating costs through a 40 percent reduction in non-police officer positions from (streamlining) and privatization is central to our stable financial position."

Grayslake has 59 full-time employees. The village's six-employee full-time public works department is augmented with private-sector help for snowplowing and temporary summer employees for various duties, Soderholm said.

Police dispatching is handled by a 911 emergency center in Glenview. Fire and ambulance service comes from the Grayslake Fire Protection District, a taxing agency separate from the village.

Contract work and outsourcing costs are about 42 percent of Grayslake's operating costs.

Grayslake does not intend a property tax increase, officials said. No increases are planned for parking at Metra commuter rail municipal lots or for the village's aquatic center.

In addition, village officials said an originally planned $1-per-month hike in garbage collection and recycling fees won't be pursued.