Buffalo Grove approves $80.7 million appropriations ordinance

Buffalo Grove village trustees this week passed an $80.7 million appropriations ordinance for next year, setting a maximum amount of spending for the village that is well in excess of what officials anticipate they actually will expend.

The primary purpose of the ordinance, Finance Director Scott Anderson said, is to allow for emergency spending not contemplated at the time the 2013 budget was being developed.

“Any contingency expenses that exceed the adopted fiscal year 2013 budget will be brought before the board prior to any spending,” he added.

The $80.7 million total is approximately 31 percent over the adopted 2013 budget, and features numerous contingency funds to cover emergency or unexpected funding if needed.

Among the highlights Anderson presented is a $2.3 million contingency to account for additional spending on capital projects.

Another $250,000 is set aside in contingencies for salt and snow plowing efforts and $600,000 is set aside for unanticipated insurance costs.

About $2.9 million in contingencies have been set up within the water fund, including $1.2 million for Lake County public works in the event of water rate increases.

There are an additional $1.5 million in contingencies for emergency infrastructure repairs and $288,600 in the golf fund for basic course and facility repairs.

The measure also includes appropriations of $2.9 million, almost 90 percent of which would be set aside for the village’s motor fuel tax program and would cover any changes to its street maintenance program.