Village of Johnsburg President and Board of Trustees met Dec. 9
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
President Hettermann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall.
Attendees
Trustee Mike Fouke
Trustee Josh Hagen
Trustee Scott Letzter
Trustee Jamie Morris
Trustee James Sylvanus
Trustee Keith Von Allmen
Village Administrator Claudett Sofiakis
Assistant Village Administrator Vinny Lamontagna
Chief of Police Jason Greenwald (absent)
Attorney Michael Smoron
Special Projects Coordinator Rick Quinn
PUBLIC COMMENT – Kirk Donald of 1217 Acre Lane attended to request that the Board consider impacts residents are experiencing due to increased utility and other costs before voting on the tax levy. He remarked that the State of Illinois continues to lose residents because of the high cost to reside in the State. He asked the board to consider those impacts when deciding on the tax levy.
OMNIBUS AGENDA – Trustee Sylvanus moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda. Trustee Morris seconded the motion. Trustee Von Allmen questioned if any of the SSA levies are increasing. Village Administrator Sofiakis stated the most of the levies are governed by ordinance that regulate the amount extended. She added that the extension for the two SSA’s that experienced increases last year are lower in this year’s extension. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried
• Move to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2025 Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-14 Abating Taxes to be Levied to Pay Principal and Interest on Taxable General Obligation (Alternate Revenue Source) Bonds, Series 2018 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-15 Abating Taxes to be Levied to Pay Principal and Interest on General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2017 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-16 Abating Taxes to be Levied to Pay Principal and Interest on General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020A in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-17 Abating Taxes to be Levied to Pay Principal and Interest on General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2020B in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-18 Abating Taxes to be Levied to Pay Principal and Interest on General Obligation Waterworks and Sewerage Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2018 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-19 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #6 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-20 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #11 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-21 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #13 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-22 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #15 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-23 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #27 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-24 Establishing a Levy for Special Service Area #28 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-25 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #32 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to approve Ordinance 25-26-26 Establishing a Tax Levy for Special Service Area #33 in the Village of Johnsburg for the 2025 Tax Year
• Move to accept proposal from Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. in the amount of $159,621 for the Village’s Property, Liability, Equipment Breakdown, Cyber, Crime and Worker’s Compensation insurance.
• Disbursements
• General Fund $354,368.28
• Waterworks & Sewage Fund $ 10,944.54
• Gold Course Fund $ 29.99
• Total All Funds $365,342.81
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Hettermann asked Trustee Fouke to address the Holiday Magic event planned for the coming weekend. Trustee Fouke reported that due to unusually cold temperatures expected on the date of the event other options are being considered for the day. He explained that one option is to cancel the parade but proceed with the other event details and another is to postpone the event for a week. Assistant Administrator Lamontagna pointed out that the Community Club is not available the following week. Trustee Morris suggested proceeding without the parade. After further decision, the Board agreed to cancel the parade portion of the event if it is determined to be unsafe due to extreme temperatures.
TRUTH AND TAXATION HEARING – Attorney Smoron called the tax levy hearing to order at 7:16 p.m and asked for any comments regarding the proposed levy. No comments were made and the hearing closed at 7:17 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
TAX LEVY ORDINANCE – Trustee Sylvanus moved to approve Ordinance 25-26-27 An Ordinance Leving Taxes for the Village of Johnsburg, McHenry County, Illinois for the Tax Year 2025. Trustee Morris seconded the motion. Trustee Sylvanus stated that he previously commented about only pursuing the new growth factor in this year’s levy however he has since looked into the compounding impact of not pursuing the CPI which would be more than $100,000 over a 10 year period. He explained that the increased taxes resulting form the CPI increase are solely used to fund the Village’s obligations to the police pension fund and the Finance Committee unanimously recommended to approve a levy factoring in both new growth and the CPI. Trustee Fouke recommended that the Village look into other ways funds can be given back to the residents. Trustee Hagen stated that he typically supported the increased levy but with the additional sales tax recently implemented, it is just another tax. He added that the Board has yet to determine the use of the additional sales tax. Trustee VonAllmen remarked that property values are going up so there will be still be additional funds coming in. Trustees Letzter, Fouke, Sylvanus and Morris voted aye and Trustees Hagen and Von Allen voted no. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT – Trustee Von Allmen moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Fouke seconded the motion. All Trustees voted aye on the roll. Motion carried 7:22 p.m.
https://www.johnsburg.org/Documents/Government/Village%20Board/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/2025/Minutes/Board%20minutes%2012-09-25.pdf?t=202601062110070
