The Village has taken great strides this year that will ensure the Village’s financial security and sustainability and will allow the Village to continue to move forward. With the assistance of a new administration, since May 2017, the Village has been working diligently to address financial challenges and implement changes that will secure the Village’s financial future. These financial challenges were not made transparent to the Village Board or the community until recently.
 
In response to these challenges, in June 2017, the Village adopted the FY 2018 Amended Budget which represented a $1.4 million net change from the FY 2018 Budget adopted in April 2017. This change was accomplished through a significant reduction in workforce, cuts to nonessential services and capital projects, and modest revenue increases. The FY 2018 Amended Budget is balanced and represents the most fiscally responsible budget that the Village Board has adopted in years.
 
In response to these challenges, in June 2017, the Village adopted the FY 2018 Amended Budget which represented a $1.4 million net change from the FY 2018 Budget adopted in April 2017. This change was accomplished through a significant reduction in workforce, cuts to nonessential services and capital projects, and modest revenue increases. The FY 2018 Amended Budget is balanced and represents the most fiscally responsible budget that the Village Board has adopted in years.
 
As part of the changes necessary to improve the financial condition, the Village has reduced staffing costs by $500,000, returning staffing levels to their historical levels. Since May 1, 2017, the Village has reduced the number of full-time employees by three, salaried contractors by three, part-time employees by four, and the number of seasonal employees by four. Despite these staffing cuts, the Village has maintained service levels by increasing efficiency and redistributing job responsibilities. Today, the Village has 32.5 full time equivalents that work diligently to ensure high quality services for our residents. One area that the Village significantly reduced its expenditures was marketing and events. Despite a reduction of over $200,000, the Village executed a full season of events utilizing remaining staff positions.
 
The Village is anticipating that it will take three to four years to replenish the reserves to Village Board adopted levels. This will be accomplished through the budgeting of reserve transfers and tight spending controls.