McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Feb. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A Special Budget Workshop meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 4:00 PM by Mayor Michael Turner in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.

A roll call was taken.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Bob Seegers, and Mayor Michael Turner.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gordon Tebo.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, Deputy City Manager/Executive Director of Strategy and Planning Paul Christensen, Executive Director of Business Development Danielle Gulli, Chief John Lieb, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Human Resources Director Deb Schober, Public Works Director Christina Betz, Opera House Managing Director Daniel Campbell, Deputy Public Works Director Brent Aymond, Communications/Grants Manager Terry Willcockson, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley. Economic Development Coordinator Krista Coltrin entered the Chambers during the proceedings.

Mayor Turner noted the presence of a quorum.

City Clerk Smiley confirmed the agenda before the Council was a true and correct copy of the published agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no comments forthcoming from the Public.

DISCUSSION ITEMS: FY22/23 Budget Development

Mayor Turner stated Staff will lead the discussion on key items for which they need feedback for development of the Budget with Council then giving direction and guidance. He stated this is the start of budget discussions with future discussions planned.

Mayor Turner stated the Budget is a road map for Council on things on which the City will spend money, noting this is an important process in which he hopes Council is engaged.

Mr. Stelford expressed appreciation for this opportunity to meet with Council to discuss the Budget. He stated Staff has been working diligently on its development and has presented their numbers to him. He noted budget meetings will take place over the next two weeks with the Department Directors to develop their budgets, emphasizing the numbers presented today are still tentative and subject to change.

Mr. Stelford turned the floor over to Mr. Christensen for a presentation on the Preliminary Budget Discussion – FY22/23.

Mr. Christensen first gave a look back on FY21/22 projected results, stating there is a projected surplus of $1.6 million, which is proposed to be transferred to the General – CIP Fund.

He stated the FY21/22 municipal sales tax increased more than $1.0 million (20%) while the Home Rule Sales Tax increased by $740,000 (22%). Mr. Christensen stated the IML estimates the income tax to be $500,000 above Budget.

Mr. Christensen stated it is Staff’s projection that the City’s video gaming revenue will be $380,000, which is $120,000 above Budget.

Mr. Christensen then provided information on the City’s collective bargaining units’ wage increases. He stated the increases for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have already been set providing information on these, with Local 150 (Public Works) increases under the contract which expires in 2024, explaining these also.

Mr. Christensen then discussed supporting data for the proposed FY22/23 non-represented merit increases, including information on inflation and the unemployment rate. He presented the City’s proposal for these increases, stating the City would continue to determine pay increases based solely on the employee’s performance review, providing information on the various scores and the associated increases.

Discussion ensued regarding wage increases and the process for both represented and non represented employees. Mayor Turner noted the conversations that have taken place between Mr. Stelford, Mr. Christensen, Ms. Schober, and himself, stating he was pleased with Ms. Schober’s analysis and Mr. Stelford’s and Mr. Christensen’s input. He stated he is very supportive of a performance-based approach. Ms. Schober stated Staff has looked at what other communities are doing and believe the proposal is fair. Mayor Turner opined the proposal is good for the employees and also fair to the taxpayers. Councilman Seegers expressed support of giving raises based upon the review process.

Discussion ensued of the difference in the amount of increases and the processes between represented and non-represented employees and of the distribution of increases across employees, with Councilwoman Piersall opining the City values all employees the same. Mayor Turner stated it is the responsibility of Mr. Stelford, the Executive Directors, and the Department Directors to recruit, retain, direct, and reward employees.

Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to support the proposed salary increases presented, with Councilwoman Piersall questioning the difference between the increases proposed for represented and non-represented employees.

Mr. Christensen then turned to the preliminary budget calculations for the FY22/23 Budget, stating currently the calculations have the City with a deficit of ($60,000) in the General Fund. He stated this figure does not include any potential reductions from the State of Illinois, noting at present the State would substitute the proposed reduction to sales tax on groceries. Mr. Stelford noted at this point in the process, the Budget almost always shows a deficit, which is reduced as Staff refines it. Mr. Christensen stated the City Administration is committed to presenting a balanced operating budget after reviewing and addressing organizational priorities.

Mr. Christensen then presented highlights of the preliminary budget calculations including the creation of a Marketing Department; establishing a Creative Woodstock budget; creation of a Revolving Vehicle Replacement Program; and inclusion of additional full-time employees in Public Works, the Opera House, and Marketing and other part-time employees.

Ms. Betz noted those positions proposed for the Public Works Department include a CIP Project Manager, a Facilities Maintenance Worker, a Parks and Streets Maintenance Worker, and a Wastewater Maintenance Worker. She stated the CIP Project Manager is an engineering role and will be a top priority as a result of the substantial CIP projects planned. Ms. Betz also provided information on the reorganization of the Department.

Mr. Campbell then provided information on positions and changes proposed for the Opera House, noting these are in anticipation of growth in the venue. He stated the Front of House Manager will be split into two positions, an Audience Services Manager, and a Business Operations Manager. He stated it is also proposed to have a Development Manager actually in the theater, with the goal being for this position to identify and obtain additional funding. Mr. Campbell stated it is also proposed to add a Technical Coordinator who will take over all of the higher technology of the theater to offer better service and draw more people to the theater.

Mr. Christensen stated it is anticipated this will generate more revenue than the position costs. In response to questions from Mayor Turner, Mr. Campbell stated it is his goal, along with Mr. Stelford, Mr. Christensen, and Ms. Gulli, to move the Opera House to a position of a performing arts facility that will lead the pack. He opined once program development begins around these new positions, that will influence how the venue can move forward.

Mayor Turner expressed support of Mr. Campbell’s efforts and his plan, and of the potential that exists with the partnership between Mr. Campbell and Ms. Gulli. Ms. Gulli noted these new positions will free up Mr. Campbell to concentrate on programming.

Ms. Gulli provided information on the positions of Marketing and Communications Manager and Marketing Assistant that are being requested as part of the new Marketing Department. She stated the Library and the Recreation Center are proposing to add some part-time positions that will coordinate with the Marketing Department. She noted the Recreation Department does not have a separate budget, which is being looked at. Ms. Gulli stated it is hoped to get an advertising partnership for the City Scene, which would generate revenue for the publication.

Mr. Christensen noted all three of the Executive Directors are proposed to be funded in the Budget with the third position filled in the future.

Mr. Christensen then provided information on the preliminary budget calculations for Water & Sewer. Noting Woodstock continues to have one of the lowest rates in the area, he stated the proposed budget calls for a 5% rate increase, which will be used for increased operation costs and the CIP. He stated with the increase, the Water and Sewer Fund is projected to have a ($285,000}

deficit, noting with a projected fund balance of $2.27 million, the Fund can accept some deficit.

Concerning water and sewer rates, Councilman Seegers opined this has to do with the number of rooftops. He stated the City should look at impact fees to accelerate the process to get more roof tops.

In response to a question from Councilman Nierman as to whether all Local 150s have the same pay scale, Mr. Christensen stated each municipal Local 150 stands alone.

Discussion ensued of implementation of an electronic recycling program funded by the City’s single-use bag fee, with Mr. Christensen opining the cost of the program would be $120,000. Councilman Nierman stated Lakewood was overwhelmed with non-residents when they attempted to implement such a program. Following further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to continue to explore this.

Mayor Turner stated he likes the new format of this meeting and discussion. In response to his question, Mr. Stelford stated the next step will to be deliver the Budget to Council in March with another meeting scheduled, if Council wishes. He stated the goal is to balance the operating Budget so it may be necessary to make a few cuts. He also urged Council to let them know soon if there is anything new they wish to see in the Budget that has not been included, noting Staff reviewed the list provided by the Mayor and has included those items.

Discussion followed of the Budget format, with Mayor Turner stating he would like to see a streamlined document with a list of major new things, major changes, and major eliminations. Mr. Stelford noted the Budget is not only meant to be a Council document, but also is used by bond rating agencies and many other users, necessitating that certain information be included. He stated, in addition, it must be submitted for the GFOA award, which the City has received for many years. Mr. Stelford stated Staff is working to produce a document that is usable for a variety of audiences.

A brief discussion followed of development on the Die Cast property.

A brief discussion followed regarding the extension of utilities.

V. ADJOURN

Motion by D. Flynn, second by W. Piersall, to adjourn this special City Council Budget Workshop to the regular City Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: G. Tebo. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/45857/f_-_02-14-22_city_council_budget_workshop_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf