Village Approves FY2016 Budget with State Cuts Still Looming

Lemont trustees Monday approved a fiscal year 2016 budget that sees Lemont ”getting by as we can” while taking into account a looming 50 percent reduction in funding from the state.

The budget projects $26.7 million in revenue, with $25.8 million in expenditures. Lemont’s general fund is balanced, with revenue and expenditures at $9.2 million.

“My hats off to the trustees and staff for getting by with what we can, moving forward as we see fit,” Mayor Brian Reaves said after the vote.

Capital projects planned for the year call for water main replacements, I&M Canal improvements an a bike trail project along McCarthy Road from Walker Road to the downtown area. Officials scaled back on funding for the village’s local road resurfacing program, in which annually the Village contracts out to resurface a portion of Lemont roads, along with annual upgrades to police and public works vehicles.

If state cuts prove to be drastic, officials could explore additional revenue options, such as a “places of eating” tax that could bring in up to $120,000.

The Village decided against the tax for the time-being.

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