Politics & Government
Village Approves $42.7 Million Budget
The budget is about the same as last year, though the village board may repeal the natural gas tax in the fall.
The 2011-2012 fiscal year $42.7 million budget was approved last month by the village board. The budget is similar to the one adopted for the last fiscal year, and holds no surprises: the village is making neither big cuts nor increases in any area.
Before the board voted on the budget, Trustee Richard Moras recommended reviewing the natural gas tax implemented in 2009. The gas tax was originally set to expire at the end of 2010. It was extended last August, and will expire next April.
The board will review village finances halfway through the fiscal year, and may roll back the 5 percent gas tax to 4 percent at that time.
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The corporate fund is the village’s largest, and shows an expenditure of $11.2
million. This fund includes more than a dozen items. The largest item is the police department at $7.2 million. Two other large items are administration at
$1.1 million, and community development at $1.3 million.
The largest items in other budget areas are the water and sewer system, $7.5 million, and fire protection, $6.3 million.
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Roch Tranel told the board that the budget needs to be further reduced.
“You did not make the proper downward spending,” he told the village board after the budget was approved. “Most Libertyville residents get that we are in a recession. The public has made adjustments to the crisis.”
Village Trustee Donna Johnson disagreed with Tranel, saying that as far as village services are concerned, residents still have the same level of expectations as they did before the economy turned.
A copy of the village’s budget is available for view at the village hall.
