City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Nov. 10
City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Nov. 10
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Talluto called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Committee Members Present: Talluto, Nudera, Hill, Virgil
Committee Members Absent:
Other Elected Officials Present: Baker, Levin (7:06)
City Staff and Others Present: Coyle, Bruns, Kravets, Palm, Ivancevic, Grabowski (6:54); Bobby Dufkis (Remote) & Miranda Leininger (Remote), Marsh & McLennan Agency
3. Public Comment
Mary McDonnell – Expressed support for the City contracting with Urban3 to complete a parcel analysis.
Michael Pasternock – Expressed support for the City contracting with Urban3 to complete a parcel analysis
4. Receipt of Written Communication
None.
5. Business Before the Committee
A. Minutes of the October 27, 2025, meeting of the Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee
A motion to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2025, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Virgil and seconded by Alderman Hill. A voice vote was taken, and the minutes were approved unanimously.
B. Report - Property, Workers Compensation, Inland Marine, Crime and Cyber Insurance Renewal
Director Palm introduced Bobby Dufkis and Miranda Leininger from the City’s insurance broker Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) to present final renewal quotes. MMA explained the process of marketing the City of Elmhurst to the insurance industry, in order to seek out the most competitive rates. The final recommendation includes consolidating all of the City’s liability package with the company Obsidian. Currently the City’s general liability coverage is with Travelers, property coverage is with Chubb, equipment/boiler/machinery coverage is with Axis, and crime coverage is with Hanover. Changing to one insurance company will streamline administrative operations for the City and result in cost savings of $62,569 over the current year premiums. The proposal with Obsidian includes a two-year rate guarantee. The Committee inquired about limits of liability and the expectations for the storage tank pollution coverage for which MMA is anticipating a quote closer to the policy expiration. A motion was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Virgil to approve the report recommending the City approve the 2026 insurance renewal package. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion carried.
C. 2025 Property Tax Levy and Other Revenues
The Committee continued its review of the property tax levy for the 2026 operating budget. Director Coyle presented an updated memo and several detailed revenue schedules, outlining additional information requested by the Committee on October 27th including an updated forecast that contemplates a combined $1M increase to the property tax levy and $600K in general fund reductions, as well as a schedule that illustrates the impact of a $1M increase to the 2025 levy and an estimated $1.3M increase to the 2026 levy to pay for the debt service associated with the new police station. The debt service on the police station will not be definitive until bonds are issued. Director Coyle also presented schedules illustrating the City’s ranking compared to other DuPage communities for 2024 on property tax rate (3rd lowest), total residential property value (2nd highest), and new construction (3rd highest). The Committee discussed the new information presented and deliberated the necessity of the $1M increase to the property tax levy, and whether additional cuts to expenditures beyond the $3.6M already proposed should be explored. Chair Talluto indicated that the structural imbalance that exists within the General Fund necessitates the City take action now through both the levy increase and the existing cuts proposed by staff, and that a more thorough exploration of the General Fund revenues and expenditures should be conducted in 2026 to address the imbalance in the long-term. The Committee also discussed a list which included additional possible cuts beyond the $3M cut from the proposed budget, which was distributed to City Council members. The Committee requested that staff prepare an explanation of the impact of removing these items from the 2026 budget. The Committee agreed to meet on Friday, November 14 at 1:30pm to review the list. A motion was made by Alderman Hill and seconded by Alderman Virgil to approve the proposed 2025 property tax levy and staff was directed to prepare a report for City Council. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion carried.
D. Municipal Utility Fund Revenues
This agenda item was not discussed due to time constraints.
E. Referral – Parcel Analysis
This agenda item was not discussed due to time constraints.
F. Pending Referrals
This agenda item was not discussed due to time constraints.
6. Other Business
None.
7. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Hill. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
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