Politics & Government

Village Approves Budget, Holds the Line on Property Taxes

Village officials said they have been able to reduce expenditures by 21 percent and its workforce by 20 percent since 2008.

Despite a 3 percent increase in expenditures over the year before, has approved a budget which will not ask residents to pay a higher property tax.

The $98.4 million budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year was approved by trustees at Monday’s meeting.

Village officials said since 2008 they have been able to reduce expenditures by 21 percent and its workforce by 20 percent.

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“While we have certain costs that continue to rise, we have been working to minimize the overall impact of those costs by cutting operational expenses and becoming more efficient with our personnel,” Bolingbrook Trustee Mike Lawler said.

The village’s employee count has gone from 428 in 2007 to 353 full and part-time employees today, and officials said this has been done without a noticeable reduction in services and operations.

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The average $500-per-year property tax bill has remained flat for several years.

Officials said revenues, especially sales tax revenues, have begun to rebound since late 2008.

During the budget discussion, Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar took issue with the climbing pension costs.

“Of course pension reform is going on around the country,” he said. “The state of Illinois is only changing or modifying the pension systems they have to fund. The police and fire pensions we have to fund 100 percent. They don’t care about us. I’m sure some people will be upset by my saying that but it would be nice if (the state) would assist us in our pension obligations, too.”


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