Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Nov. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:                  

1. Call to Order

Chair Talluto called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

2. Roll Call 

Committee Members Present:

Talluto, Jensen, Nudera, Irby

Committee Members Absent:

Other Elected Officials Present:

Curran

City Staff and Others Present:

Coyle, Bruns, Kravets, Balicki, Burris, K. Johnson, Grabowski (6:07); Derek Wold & Tim Chan, Baxter & Woodman

3. Public Comment – None.

4. Receipt of Written Communication – None. 

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the October 23, 2023, meeting of the Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee

A motion to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2023, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. A voice vote was taken and the minutes of the October 23, 2023, FCA&AS Committee meeting were approved unanimously.

B. Water & Sewer Rate Study Presentation

Director Coyle presented preliminary recommendations from an update to the Water & Sewer Rate Study, originally prepared by Baxter & Woodman in 2021. The study reviewed 5 different rate scenarios and evaluated the possibility of implementing an inclining block rate structure. Director Coyle explained the update to the 2021 study is due to significant price inflation since the last study, which was also prepared during COVID when expenses were reduced to mitigate potential COVID impacts. The scope and necessity of capital projects have changed significantly since 2021.

There were four (4) scenarios presented to the Committee as a point to begin discussion of the rates, they did not represent final recommendations. The first scenario included only increases of the water supply commodity from DuPage Water Commission. This is considered a baseline scenario, and not a realistic option. Scenario 1A included rate increases that would fund the full capital program and would allow the City to reach its operating reserve goal in 6 years. Scenario 1B included rates to fund a reduced capital program and would allow the City to reach its operating reserve goal in 6 years. Scenario 2 included implementing an inclining block rate structure in FY 2025, rates that would fund the full capital program, and reaching the operating reserve goal in 7 years. There was much discussion of the preliminary recommended rates, as well as the projects that make up the capital plan. The Committee will continue discussion of the study at the next meeting, and work on refinement of the rates in order to make a final recommendation to the City Council.

C. Report – 2023 Property Tax Levy

Director Coyle presented a report on the proposed 2023 property tax levy. The City's portion of the 2023 tax levy is proposed to be $13,316,706, a 0% increase compared to taxes extended in 2022. The Elmhurst Public Library 2023 tax levy is $6,738,000, an increase of 1%. The combined 2023 tax levy for the City and Library totals $20,054,706, an increase of $64,745 from 2022. As has been the case in the past 7 years, the 2023 tax levy reflects abatement of all general obligation (GO) bond debt service, totaling $7,440,859. The Committee reviewed the levy in light of the 2024 budget and the ability to meet the General Fund balance policy for 2024. The Committee approved the report recommending that the City Council approve the City of Elmhurst 2023 levy in the amount of $20,054,706. A motion was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

D. Report – DuPage Water Commission Contract Renewal

The Committee reviewed a report recommending a contract extension with the DuPage Water Commission and recommending approval of a municipal concurrence resolution regarding DWC’s contract extension with the City of Chicago. It was also noted that the City is preparing a draft renewal for a water wheeling agreement with Illinois American Water (IAWC), which provides water via the City to IAWC for their customers. The Committee approved the report. A motion to was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

E. Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) - Review of the following Executive Session Meeting Minutes to remain closed: May 12, 2014, February 8, 2016, September 25, 2017, January 8, 2018, February 10, 2020, February 27, 2023, and March 13, 2023

A motion to keep all Executive Session Meeting Minutes closed was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

6. Other Business

None.

7. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Irby and seconded by Alderman Nudera.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

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