Village Board Approves $38.9M Budget for 2011-12

The Village Board approved its $38.9 million budget for 2011-12 at Monday's board meeting, restoring roughly one-third of the funding initially cut from the Sandel Senior Center. 

Village Comptroller Mike Schussheim explained that the professional services budget, which was initially cut from $19,000 to $9,500, was bumped back up to $17,000. The board elected to take $10,000 from the parks expense budget and use it towards restoring the center's funding for program teachers and instructors. The parks money was going to be used for flower plantings around the village.

Personnel services at the center also received a $15,000 boost. The center will still have to cut some non-programmatic staff, which include clerical and administrative positions , but program staff will not be impacted. "I am comfortable with the budget we've put together," Schussheim said. "It maintains the strength of the village and programs for senior services."

To get a closer look at the 2011-12 budget, .

Mayor Mary Bossart noted that though restorations to the Sandel Center's funding were made possible through reductions to other budget lines, that may not be the case next year. "We borrowed from another category to fill in your budget," Bossart said. 

Harold Buck, president of the center, said he was happy that the board listened to their pleas for funding restoration. "Anything you can do for us is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten," he said.

Trustee David Krasula added that this year's budget still provides the village's core services — police, fire and sanitation — and residents should understand that those primary services must come first. "This is a shared sacrifice," he said. "The government is here to provide what we need...we have to cut back on wants."

The village board also approved a resolution to submit the RVC Fire Department's $21.1 bond proposal to rehab its firehouses for referendum. Residents can vote on it during the June 21 election. To find out more about the proposal, . To see how it will impact your taxes, .