| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Williamsville village board discusses budget
By Linda Hughes
In a special meeting Monday, Williamsville village trustees fine-tuned the proposed fiscal year 2010 budget.
Mayor Tom Yokley had earlier asked trustees to keep budget requests for their departments to a minimum. Yokley
also said earlier that he anticipates a $193,000 deficit, but that there is enough in reserves to cover it.
Trustees had already been over proposed budgets for their departments line-by-line, and Monday they
questioned some line items, both in revenues and expenditures, making some adjustments along the way.
Yokley told them that just because money is budgeted, they don’t have to spend it. The budget will be voted on
at the next meeting.
The fiscal year runs from January 1 through December 31.
Trustee Scott Butterfield, who heads Public Safety, discussed hiring an additional full-time or part-time police
officer and the cost of training, which is later reimbursed.
“When it comes time to hiring somebody, the market will be flooded with trained people,” he remarked, noting
that departments are laying off officers. He also mentioned maintenance of tornado sirens and buying police
officer uniforms.
Cost of buying and equipping a new squad car was estimated at $24,500. Butterfield discussed ways to cut
costs on certain items. He estimated that selling the oldest squad car would bring in $2000.
Several people noted that Teen Court had not been paid.
Mark Esker, who heads Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers, said storm sewer maintenance is
budgeted at $1600.
Janice Beyers, who is in charge of Parks & Buildings, discussed lighting in the park and said that pest control
has gone up in price. Maintenance of the village hall has also gone up, she said. She also discussed recycling.
She said she would like to buy new equipment if there is money.
A new comprehensive plan will cost $12,000, said Valerie Patterson, who heads Economic Development.
Publication and printing costs will increase, due in part to printing a new village brochure. Web hosting costs $360
a year. Membership in the Route 66 National Scenic Byways is $200. Capital outlay, including new billboards and
signs, is estimated at $890.
Butterfield asked the cost of putting in a sidewalk to Casey’s. Esker added that more light is needed in that part
of town. Patterson said a lot of kids play in that area.
Mike Barnett, in charge of Water & Sewer, said overtime for the water department is set at $4000. That item was
brought out of the salaries line.
“We want you to know what is being spent on overtime,” the mayor said.
Barnett suggested shopping around for a new auditor, so perhaps that cost could be brought down from its
present $3000. Travel expenses are lower for next year, while general supplies are up.
The sewer bonds are to be paid off next year, to save $72,000 in interest, Barnett said. The sewer budget
estimates $80,000 for capital outlay, much of it for work on Walnut Street.
The board agreed to move the meeting time to 6:30 p.m. beginning next year. The new time will be voted on at
the next meeting.
By Linda Hughes
In a special meeting Monday, Williamsville village trustees fine-tuned the proposed fiscal year 2010 budget.
Mayor Tom Yokley had earlier asked trustees to keep budget requests for their departments to a minimum. Yokley
also said earlier that he anticipates a $193,000 deficit, but that there is enough in reserves to cover it.
Trustees had already been over proposed budgets for their departments line-by-line, and Monday they
questioned some line items, both in revenues and expenditures, making some adjustments along the way.
Yokley told them that just because money is budgeted, they don’t have to spend it. The budget will be voted on
at the next meeting.
The fiscal year runs from January 1 through December 31.
Trustee Scott Butterfield, who heads Public Safety, discussed hiring an additional full-time or part-time police
officer and the cost of training, which is later reimbursed.
“When it comes time to hiring somebody, the market will be flooded with trained people,” he remarked, noting
that departments are laying off officers. He also mentioned maintenance of tornado sirens and buying police
officer uniforms.
Cost of buying and equipping a new squad car was estimated at $24,500. Butterfield discussed ways to cut
costs on certain items. He estimated that selling the oldest squad car would bring in $2000.
Several people noted that Teen Court had not been paid.
Mark Esker, who heads Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers, said storm sewer maintenance is
budgeted at $1600.
Janice Beyers, who is in charge of Parks & Buildings, discussed lighting in the park and said that pest control
has gone up in price. Maintenance of the village hall has also gone up, she said. She also discussed recycling.
She said she would like to buy new equipment if there is money.
A new comprehensive plan will cost $12,000, said Valerie Patterson, who heads Economic Development.
Publication and printing costs will increase, due in part to printing a new village brochure. Web hosting costs $360
a year. Membership in the Route 66 National Scenic Byways is $200. Capital outlay, including new billboards and
signs, is estimated at $890.
Butterfield asked the cost of putting in a sidewalk to Casey’s. Esker added that more light is needed in that part
of town. Patterson said a lot of kids play in that area.
Mike Barnett, in charge of Water & Sewer, said overtime for the water department is set at $4000. That item was
brought out of the salaries line.
“We want you to know what is being spent on overtime,” the mayor said.
Barnett suggested shopping around for a new auditor, so perhaps that cost could be brought down from its
present $3000. Travel expenses are lower for next year, while general supplies are up.
The sewer bonds are to be paid off next year, to save $72,000 in interest, Barnett said. The sewer budget
estimates $80,000 for capital outlay, much of it for work on Walnut Street.
The board agreed to move the meeting time to 6:30 p.m. beginning next year. The new time will be voted on at
the next meeting.
Issue Date: Dec. 10, 2009