Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Nov. 12

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, Jensen, Nudera, Irby

Committee Members Absent:

Other Elected Officials Present: Curran (6:35)

City Staff and Others Present: Coyle, Bruns, Kravets, Palm, Ivancevic; Miranda Leininger, MMA; Dan Virgil

3. Public Comment – None.

4. Receipt of Written Communication – None.

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the October 28, 2024, meeting of the Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee

A motion to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2024, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. A voice vote was taken, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

B. 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 that the executive session minutes should remain closed was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Irby. A voice vote was taken, and the motion was approved unanimously.

C. Report - Property, Workers Compensation, Inland Marine, Crime and Cyber Insurance Renewal

Human Resources Director Palm provided an overview of the 2025 insurance renewal package. Staff worked with the City’s insurance broker, Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), to market Elmhurst to the insurance industry and obtain the best possible quotes for all lines of coverage. The 2025 insurance renewal presented reflects deductibles and coverage limits on an equal basis with the expiring policies. Premiums are increasing 8.81% in total, despite a hard market where MMA has seen many renewals increasing 10-15%. A factor in this was a $24,172 decrease in cyber liability premiums, as the cyber market continues to be in flux while carriers strive to remain competitive. A motion was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Irby to approve the report recommending that the City Council accept the 2025 insurance renewal package. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

D. 2024 Preliminary Property Tax Levy

The Committee continued discussion of the 2024 proposed property tax levy, including additional levy scenarios requested by the Committee. Director Coyle presented an analysis of historical property tax increases as compared to CPI-U over the same period. The comparison highlighted how new EAV growth in the City positively impacted existing residents. While the total levy grew 11% from 2018 to 2023, the median household property tax bill for the City and Library only grew 9%. This compares favorably to the growth of 22% in CPI-U over the same period. After careful consideration of the scenarios and options to offset a reduction in the original property tax levy proposed by staff, the Committee approved the original levy proposed less $20,000 saved by the insurance renewal coming in below budget. The Committee directed staff to prepare the final report for City Council. A motion was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera to approve the report recommending that the City Council approve the City of Elmhurst 2024 property tax levy. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

E. Report - Senior Freeze CIRC Rate

Director Coyle presented a report on the Senior Freeze CIRC discount. The discount was created as part of the updated water rates approved by City Council on February 20, 2024 with an expiration date of December 31, 2024. There are currently 428 accounts receiving the discount, representing an approximate cost to the City of $110,000. The proposed 2025 budget does not project a water and sewer rate increase currently. As no action will be taken on rates for January 1, the Committee agreed that extending the current discount was appropriate; and, instead of setting an expiration date, the Committee’s intention would be to review the discount as part of the regular review of all water, sewer and CIRC rates. A motion was made by Alderman Irby and seconded by Alderman Nudera to approve the report recommending that City Council approve an amendment to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, extending the senior freeze CIRC discount with no expiration date. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

F. Veteran Vehicle Sticker

The Committee resumed discussion on offering a discounted vehicle sticker rate for veterans and active military members. The Committee reached a consensus on a $1 vehicle sticker per veteran and active military member. A report will be prepared for City Council approval. A motion was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Irby to recommend City Council approve an amendment to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, setting a discounted vehicle sticker rate for veteran and active military members. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

G. Pending Referrals

This topic was tabled to a future meeting due to time constraints.

6. Other Business

None.

7. Adjournment

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

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