This
last weekend I received a special meeting notice called by Trustee Burgess,
Washington and Williams. While I support the right as trustee to call
for a meeting I am saddened that these trustees haven't reached out to
talk with me in person to discuss any issues prior to calling for a
meeting at tax payers expense.
While
serving as trustee, I also exercised my right from time to
time to call for a special meeting however; I always
had the common courtesy to talk with the mayor in
person (face-to-face) in hopes to resolve any issues prior to
scheduling such a meeting.
A special meeting (or called meeting) is a
separate session of the board held at a time different from that of any
regular meeting, and convened only to consider one or more items of business
specified in the call of the meeting. The reason for a special meeting is to
deal with important matters that may arise between regular meetings and that
urgently require action by the board before the next regular meeting. In
summary, Special meetings are called if something important comes up that
must be dealt with before the next regular meeting.
I’ve
informed the trustees that my office will remain open if any wish to talk
prior to the meeting however, I will not be at the meeting tonight.
My
decision not to attend the meeting tonight is twofold:
First,
the trustees have not provided a clear understanding for calling tonight’s
meeting including the urgency, or reason a discussion (with no action to be
taken) must be held prior to the next regular village board meeting or end of
the year. If there is only going to be a discussion then tonight’s meeting could
wait until the next regular scheduled board meeting.
Secondly, since there is no clear urgency for tonight’s meeting Linda and I will be spending time with our family.
Secondly, since there is no clear urgency for tonight’s meeting Linda and I will be spending time with our family.
In
closing, tonight’s meeting is to discuss finances and budget concerns. Disclaimer; Before reading any further realize that the majority of the board does not know
what I’m about to share with you (the residents) since they have refused to
come ask questions and talk with myself and the finance director.
Currently,
The village is 67% through its budget year
The general fund expenditures are at 64% of its budget which is 2% lower than anticipated for this point into the budget.
Our revenues are higher than anticipated due to increased revenues in miscellaneous, refunds and reimbursements.
All this while the village has only received 40% of projected property taxes thus far and still anticipating the remainder projected 55-60% before the end of the current fiscal year.
While some line items may be slightly over they can be explained and are still due to clean up issues from the previous administration
Negotiated contracts which were neglected and not completely resolved until earlier this year (2014)
Union contractual raises which, were not budgeted
Union contractual back pay which, was not budgeted
Closing out prior litigation cases
Completion of village audits which, are now current as of December 2014. Sauk Village completed two audits in 2014
Water and Sewer Departments overtime for long overdue work and much needed repairs (roads, street lights, fire hydrants, tree trimming, etc.)
Police Department overtime for investigations
Additional overtime due to employees leaving, sickness or death
Prior to being elected Mayor, I told the residents that I was willing and able to make the tough decisions. Those decisions have not been easy; I've been attacked and have also resulted in some who were once considered friends to become my enemy.
The village is 67% through its budget year
The general fund expenditures are at 64% of its budget which is 2% lower than anticipated for this point into the budget.
Our revenues are higher than anticipated due to increased revenues in miscellaneous, refunds and reimbursements.
All this while the village has only received 40% of projected property taxes thus far and still anticipating the remainder projected 55-60% before the end of the current fiscal year.
While some line items may be slightly over they can be explained and are still due to clean up issues from the previous administration
Negotiated contracts which were neglected and not completely resolved until earlier this year (2014)
Union contractual raises which, were not budgeted
Union contractual back pay which, was not budgeted
Closing out prior litigation cases
Completion of village audits which, are now current as of December 2014. Sauk Village completed two audits in 2014
Water and Sewer Departments overtime for long overdue work and much needed repairs (roads, street lights, fire hydrants, tree trimming, etc.)
Police Department overtime for investigations
Additional overtime due to employees leaving, sickness or death
Prior to being elected Mayor, I told the residents that I was willing and able to make the tough decisions. Those decisions have not been easy; I've been attacked and have also resulted in some who were once considered friends to become my enemy.
While
some may look at tonight’s meeting to be a set back and may even try to somehow
benefit from three board members calling for a special meeting…..don’t let it
bother you. Sauk Village is still “Moving Forward”.
Trustees
are exercising their rights and are now getting involved (this is good). “Sometimes
you have to shake things up to get the attention of others and in this case the
trustees”. For more than six months I have been asking trustees for cost savings
initiatives at every committee meeting (twice a month) and only a couple trustees
brought initiatives to the table and are working on them today.
Hopefully
now the remainder of the trustees will get up and get on board.
Mayor
David A. Hanks