The latest round of budget discussions for the Flossmoor Village Board offered a glimpse at the capital equipment fund, a sinking fund that receives annual contributions from other funds to address long-range needs.
Village Manager Bridget Wachtel led discussion of the fund on Monday, March 21, focusing on fiscal year 2023, as well as on events that have shaped the equipment purchase plan in recent years.
“The pandemic continues to impact our budget in many ways,” Wachtel said.
The village delayed replacement of some equipment in FY21, but FY22 has also seen delays because of supply chain issues. That has left some items costing more than they would have when originally budgeted, as well as a FY22 budget that includes the replacement of five squad cars rather than what is “usually a couple” annually, Wachtel explained.
The FY23 equipment schedule calls for a 5-yard dump truck with plow and spreader, two 1-ton dump trucks and plows, a utility vehicle and generators for the Meinheit Booster Station and Butterfield Life Station for public works, though the 5-yard dump truck with plow and spreader and a number of other pieces of equipment are to be deferred, Wachtel said.
For police, the replacement of a CCTV system originally planned for FY21 is now in the FY23 budget. The police equipment budget schedule also includes automated external defibrillator units, breath analysis equipment, department copier and pistol range equipment for FY23.
The discussion also included a recap of what was purchased in FY22 and certain items scheduled for fiscal years beyond 2023. The board on March 7 examined its water and sewer fund, as well as the general fund. More budget discussions are planned for April 4 and 18.
Flossmoor transferring $1.63 million to Army Corps of Engineers for storm sewer work
The village is sending $1.63 million to the United States Army Corps of Engineers for its share of a $2.91 million bill for work on the Maryland Avenue, Oakmont Avenue, Bob-O-Link Road and Berry Lane storm sewer improvements, as well as Berry Lane road reconstruction and water main replacement.
The Army Corps of Engineers has funding for the base bid and three of the five options being exercised on the work, but the village is left to fund the remaining two options at 100% of a $1.46 million cost. The village also owes $166,667 in matching funds toward $500,000 the Army Corps received for one of the other options.
The village’s total contributions to this project to date are $1.95 million, to be paid from a taxpayer-approved general obligation bond sale sold in part to help fund this work, as well as from the water and sewer fund. But Flossmoor has received grants totaling $700,337.54 to help offset costs.
Other business
- The village board voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda. With it, the village awarded a contract to Christopher B. Burke Engineering for $27,048 for observation services related to the Village Hall Complex roof replacement construction expected to start in April or May. Burke provided the design engineering for this project. The company also completed the design engineering and construction observation services for the Public Works Service Center in fiscal year 2016, according to a report from Public Works Director John Brunke.
- With the consent agenda, the board also approved a new contract agreement with Paramedic Services of Illinois for six contract firefighters expected to serve the Flossmoor Fire Department in fiscal year 2023. The contract includes 3% wage increases for the firefighters and a 9.25% increase in PSI fees, for a total expenditure of $611,832.