City of Belleville Finance Committee met Aug. 14
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
In Attendance:
(A) Finance Committee Members
Bryan Whitaker, Alderperson
Carmen Duco, Alderperson
Shelly Schaefer, Alderperson
Chris Rothweiler, Alderperson
Phil Elmore, Alderperson
Nora Sullivan, Alderperson
(B) Guests
Michael Hagberg
James Hettler
(C) Staff
Jamie Maitret, Finance Director
Sarah Biermann, Treasurer
Mayor Patty Gregory
Kent Randle, Alderperson
Kara Osthoff, Alderperson
Johnnie Anthony, Alderperson
Lillian Schneider, Alderperson
Jason Poole, Director of Public Works
Cliff Cross, Director of Economic Development
Chairman Whitaker called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Roll call was taken. Alderpersons Ferguson and Ovian were excused. All other committee members were present. Chairman Whitaker introduced guests. Emergency evacuation procedures were announced.
Chairman Whitaker opened public participation.
Michael Hagberg stated that he believed the original intention of the 0.25% home rule sales tax was to pay the bonds and then be eliminated. He believes the tax should be eliminated.
James Hettler stated that he would like at least a portion of the sales tax to be put toward infrastructure repairs. If the tax won’t be used for infrastructure, the City needs to look into expanding our TIF boundaries.
Public participation was closed.
Chairman Whitaker asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the June 12, 2023 meeting.
Motion
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion to approve the minutes from June 12, 2023. Alderperson Elmore seconded. All attending members voted yes. The motion passed.
Additional Amount Due on Street Department Truck Order
Chairman Whitaker stated that this motion was pretty self-explanatory.
Motion
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion to approve $2,185.00 cost increase of single axle dump/snow truck previously ordered for the Street Department, due to chassis model year change. Alderperson Rothweiler seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderpersons Duco, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Elmore, Sullivan and Whitaker all voted yes. The motion passed.
Library Elevator Repair Change Order
Jamie Maitret explained that issues with the steel underneath the elevator came to light after the project got started. Pictures of the issues were shared. This will result in a change order of $3,588 on the project.
Motion
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion to approve a change order in the amount of $3,588.00 for elevator project at the Library. Alderperson Rothweiler seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Alderpersons Duco, Schaefer, Rothweiler, Elmore, Sullivan and Whitaker all voted yes. The motion passed.
Discussion on Use of 0.25% Home Rule Sales Tax
Jamie Maitret explained that about six months ago this sales tax was discussed and the committee was asked if they wanted the tax to end with the payoff of the bonds that it was pledged towards. Tax rates can only be changed with IDOR at January 1 and July 1 of each year. The committee discussed at that time letting it continue and figuring out what to use it for, so that is why the discussion is back now. Several ideas were discussed by the alderpeople, including using the funds for infrastructure/streets (especially in areas not in a TIF district), splitting it amongst all of the departments and letting them decide how to use it, and putting the money towards additional contributions to the police and fire pensions to pay down our unfunded liabilities. Mayor Gregory and Cliff Cross also expressed desire to use it for economic development and a possible parking garage downtown. Jamie expressed that in her opinion the committee needs to focus on one of our core problems, which is high real estate taxes caused by the pension obligations. She does not believe that we will get new development if our taxes continue to increase exponentially due to these obligations, and residents won’t be able to afford to live here. She feels the funds should be put into the pension funds to address these problems first. Discussion followed.
No motion was necessary at this time.
Revenue Sources
Motion to receive and file.
Motion
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion to receive and file the revenue sources. Alderperson Rothweiler seconded. All attending members voted yes. The motion passed.
Motion to Adjourn
Alderperson Schaefer made a motion to adjourn at 7:41 pm. Alderperson Rothweiler seconded. All attending members voted yes. The motion passed.
https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08142023-3065
Alerts Sign-up