Village Board Approves 2012 Budget

The Village Board approved its budget for 2012 during a meeting last week. 

Residents should expect a 1.2 percent decrease in the tax levy in 2012 — the village's first decrease in 19 years. Under the new budget, the village is expected to bring in $5.7 million in property taxes in 2012 compared to $5.8 million in 2011 with the levy decrease.

At the same time, an increase in the water rate and tap-on fee is proposed to help pay for capital projects and water main replacement. 

Nonunion village employees will receive a 2 percent raise along with "a possible merit adjustment" under the budget. According to the budget memo, staff has not had a wage increase in two years.

The village expects to bring in $15,722,950 million in revenue in 2012 and spend $15,696,490 for village services, salaries and other expenditures, according to an executive summary of the village budget. 

The village is expecting to see $35,000 more from sales tax revenue in 2012. 

Water Fees Increase to Pay for Capital Projects, Water Mains

A 5 percent increase in water tap-on fees as well as a 5 percent increase in water rates for the village is proposed as a way to help fund capital projects and water main replacement. 

The capital projects include: 

• $5.3 million for a well treatment plant;
• $2.2 million for a water tower;
• $299,000 for a new well.

There is $950,000 budgeted for the village's water main replacement program in 2012. The following area water mains are scheduled for replacement next year: 

• Cedar Street from Cherry Street to Burr Street;
• Burr from Plum Street to East Oak Street;
• Maple Street from Plum to Willow Street;
• Plum from Cherry to Burr;
• Pheasant Trail from Crystal Lake Road to Oakleaf Road;
• Hunters Path from Crystal Lake to Oakleaf;
• Deer Path from Crystal Lake to Oakleaf.

Lake in the Hills Patch has more information on the water rate increase in this article. 

Street Resurfacing Projects in 2012

Motor fuel tax revenue provided to Lake in the Hills by the state will help pay for several projects, including $140,000 to design a new bridge at Jesse Road and Hilltop Drive and $692,100 for the village's 2012 street resurfacing program.

The following streets are slated for resurfacing in 2012: 

• Michael Court;
• Barbara Court;
• Kurt Court;
• Viewpoint Drive from Sierra Court to Grace Drive;
• Anderson Drive from Grace to Joseph Street;
• Joseph Street from Anderson to Anderson;
• David Street from Anderson to Anderson;
• Bonnie Court;
• Lisa Court;
• Elizabeth Court;
• Winslow Way from Chancery Way to Normandy Drive;
• Poplar Street;
• Plum Street from Ash Street to Cherry Street;
• Hilltop Drive from Ash to Willow Street;
• Ash;
• Cherry;
• Sycamore Street;
• Heartland Gate.

Other Projects Slated for 2012

The public works' streets division is expected to use its $1.3 million budget in 2012 for upkeep of streets, sidewalks and storm sewers — among other items. Included in that budget is $138,360 to pay for road salt and similar chemicals and $75,000 to replace a public works truck that "has exhausted its useful life."

Also in the public work's budget for 2012 is $195,100 for various capital projects including a new roof at the village-owned poll barn at 1109 Pyott Road, where the , and a furnace replacement and an exhaust system for the .

Other projects budgeted include a new $15,000 pier that will replace a rotting one at Indian Trail Beach and a drainage improvement project at Indian Trail and Locust, which is expected to cost the village $42,000.