| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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W’ville Village Board rejects bids for police station
renovation
By Linda Hughes
Residents of Williamsville should not see a village tax increase next year.
The village board voted unanimously not to increase the tax levy from its present $74,517. The vote was
technically on the estimate of levy amount. The actual levy will be voted on at the next meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, Village Attorney Randy Segatto suggested a 2009 tax levy of $74,517, a 4.99 percent
increase.
“Taxes in this village are plenty high. I don’t think they should be raised, at least not by 4.99 percent,” Mayor Tom
Yokley said. “People in this town have been through a lot.”
Yokley said he did not want to raise taxes despite the fact that there is going to be a deficit budget this year.
“Everyone is pinched because of the economy,” Trustee Janice Beyers said. “We don’t need to pinch them
more.”
The board also agreed to an estimate of levy amount of $33,177 for 2009.
He anticipates the budget will be $193,000 in the red, Yokley said, although there is enough in reserves to
cover it.
“The general fund is concerning. I don’t know how we can avoid it,” he said.
In other business, the board voted to reject all bids for renovation of the police station because they came in
over budget. The vote was on the recommendation of Greene & Bradford Engineers.
Yokley said he would look at various options. Engineer Kevin Kuhn said he would talk with contractors.
Trustee Mark Barnett announced that the Department of Labor found that employees of a subcontractor on the
water tower project were paid less than the prevailing wage. “It’s up to the Department of Labor. It’s out of our
hands,” he added.
The village cannot release those particular payments until legal requirements are met, Kuhn said.
Trustee Valerie Patterson said she has applied for roadside exhibits through the Illinois Route 66 Scenic
Byways to help develop and revitalize the downtown area. They would be placed downtown and in the Route 66
Park.
Patterson said she also plans to apply for a grant from the Board of Tourism to help renovate historic buildings
as part of the town’s tourist attraction.
The board approved a village logo.
renovation
By Linda Hughes
Residents of Williamsville should not see a village tax increase next year.
The village board voted unanimously not to increase the tax levy from its present $74,517. The vote was
technically on the estimate of levy amount. The actual levy will be voted on at the next meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, Village Attorney Randy Segatto suggested a 2009 tax levy of $74,517, a 4.99 percent
increase.
“Taxes in this village are plenty high. I don’t think they should be raised, at least not by 4.99 percent,” Mayor Tom
Yokley said. “People in this town have been through a lot.”
Yokley said he did not want to raise taxes despite the fact that there is going to be a deficit budget this year.
“Everyone is pinched because of the economy,” Trustee Janice Beyers said. “We don’t need to pinch them
more.”
The board also agreed to an estimate of levy amount of $33,177 for 2009.
He anticipates the budget will be $193,000 in the red, Yokley said, although there is enough in reserves to
cover it.
“The general fund is concerning. I don’t know how we can avoid it,” he said.
In other business, the board voted to reject all bids for renovation of the police station because they came in
over budget. The vote was on the recommendation of Greene & Bradford Engineers.
Yokley said he would look at various options. Engineer Kevin Kuhn said he would talk with contractors.
Trustee Mark Barnett announced that the Department of Labor found that employees of a subcontractor on the
water tower project were paid less than the prevailing wage. “It’s up to the Department of Labor. It’s out of our
hands,” he added.
The village cannot release those particular payments until legal requirements are met, Kuhn said.
Trustee Valerie Patterson said she has applied for roadside exhibits through the Illinois Route 66 Scenic
Byways to help develop and revitalize the downtown area. They would be placed downtown and in the Route 66
Park.
Patterson said she also plans to apply for a grant from the Board of Tourism to help renovate historic buildings
as part of the town’s tourist attraction.
The board approved a village logo.
Issue Date: Nov. 26, 2009