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11. commonsense
    Member

    So Kim, of the roughly $8,000,000 in Village expenditures, what specifically are you willing to live without?

    Please identify your particular cuts. Here are your choices:

    Legislative
    Village Manager
    Finance Department
    Legal
    Village Clerk
    Community Development
    Information Technology
    Public Liability Insurance
    Landscape Advisory
    Board of Fire & Police Protection
    Plan Commission
    Zoning Board of Appeals
    Historical Commission
    Economic Development Comm.
    Preservation Comm.
    Safe Environment Comm.
    Community Cable TV Comm.
    Police Department
    Police Administration
    Police Investigations
    Police Patrol
    Police Emergency Response
    Police School Safety
    Police Training
    Police Communications
    Fire Administration
    Fire Suppression
    Fire Prevention
    Fire Training
    Fire Maintenance
    Emergency Medical Services
    Disaster Preparedness
    Buildings and Street and Bridge
    Street Lighting Parks Maintenance
    Forestry
    Recreation Department
    Recreation Administration
    Recreation Programs
    Recreation Facilities

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 14:23 #

12. TonyM
    Member

    Kim - The TIF is a non-issue and should have never found its way into this thread. What I am concerned with is how the Village will tackle the +/- $3,000,000 of projected deficits over the next 3 years. We will need more than the patching of driveways and elimination of travel related expenses. Even Trustee Sacchi conceded that a tax increase would probably be required but would not be asked for until he was convinced that all efficiency and savings opportunities were explored.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 14:38 #

13. KimJ
    Member

    I think the History Museum is important. I think everyone should agree. I think it should be fully funded, triple in size, and be a gem in the center of our gorgeous Landmark village. It should be the catalyst that puts Riverside on the map.

    Is the History Museum more important than the police? Probably not.

    Tony, I did not bring up the TIF but felt compelled to correct you and commons confusion that it would have somehow assisted us financially in this situation. It would not have, and it would have put the village back another $100,000 plus.

    As to how to save $3 million, sounds like there will have to be cuts.
    I know my family is making deep ones. It sucks.

    Should I pay the mortgage or sign up the kids for an art class?
    What would you do Common?

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 14:57 #

14. JohnM
    Member

    As to how to save $3 million, sounds like there will have to be cuts.

    The Village can simply not make $3 million in cuts over the next 3 years and continue to provide any type of adequate service to its residents.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 15:07 #

15. KimJ
    Member

    I did not say it was simple.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 15:20 #

16. ChrisHajer
    Member

    JohnM - do you think then that the village is going to have to ask for more money?

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 16:28 #

17. TonyM
    Member

    Chris - Trustee Sacchi indicated at the public input meeting for the budget that a tax increase would probably be required.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 16:37 #

18. JohnM
    Member

    Chris,

    I see you've sidestepped my question and posed one of your own. I'll answer it, though--yes, I do. Failing the discovery of millions of dollars that have not been accounted for, the village will not be able to make enough cuts to eliminate the deficit without spending reserves--and spending the reserves only postpones the inevitable. They will need to ask for a tax increase, and they will need to do it sooner, rather than later. To his credit--as you can see from Kim's post--Ben Sells recognized this last year, and urged that the voters support the tax referendum.

    Kim,

    I'm taken by your analogy of art class vs. mortgage. Obviously, one pays the mortgage. But which current Village departments or programs are "art classes" and can be cut?

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 16:38 #

19. commonsense
    Member

    Unfortunatly, Kim, as I stated earlier, I don't have suggestions because the "budget meetings" have taken place under the cover of darkness of Lonnie's backyard. Ask me again after the board meeting Monday night.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 16:54 #

20. ChrisHajer
    Member

    Sorry JohnM, I must not have read back that far. Let me reread. Side-stepping was not intentional.

    Posted Wednesday Sep 16, 2009 17:10 #

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