HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/2024 FC MinutesFINANCE COMMISSION iY mnt Thn±��xsct
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Executive Conference Room — 31d Floor, Village Hall
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m.
Commission members present: Kenneth Arndt, Trisha Chokshi, Edward Derfler, Vince
Grochocinski and Don Ocwieja
Commission members absent: Pam Bazan
Staff present: Director of Finance Amit Thakkar, Deputy Director of Finance Jennifer
Fitzgerald, and Assistant to the Village Manager Alexander Bertolucci.
II. Approval of Minutes
a. Motion by Vince Grochocinski seconded by Edward Derfler to approve the minutes of
the Finance Commission special meeting of October 26, 2023.
Chair Chokshi called a voice vote.
Motion Passed unanimously.
III. Citizens to be Heard
None
IV. Old Business
None
V. New Business
a) Selection of Vice -Chair
Motion by Kenneth Arndt, second by Vince Grochocinski to nominate Edward Derfler
as Vice -Chair.
Chair Chokshi called a voice vote.
Motion Passed unanimously.
b) Selection of Secretary
Motion by Kenneth Arndt, second by Edward Derfler to nominate Vince Grochocinski
as Secretary.
Chair Chokshi called a voice vote.
Motion Passed unanimously
c) 2024 Work Plan
Director of Finance Amit Thakkar shared and reviewed the proposed 2024 work plan.
He stated the work plan will be finalized at the next meeting. There was general
discussion on the proposed schedule based on eight meetings this year with May
and July meeting topics to be determined. If there are worthy items, then we can hold
those meetings.
Mr. Thakkar responded to questions from the Finance Commission:
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A lawsuit was filed in Kane County challenging if the fire and police pension
consolidation legislation by the state is unconstitutional. The Illinois Supreme
Court rule it is constitutional.
The goal is to have fire and police pension funds be structured and operate
similarly to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
Staff can conduct a review of resident/user fees through the annual budget
process.
There was general discussion regarding Police and Fire pension benefits and
possible legislation that would enrichen tier 2 pensions benefits. Pensions is the
most critical issue now and a focus for 2024.
d) Financial Updates/Monthly Report
Mr. Thakkar provided November's Monthly Financial Report and gave an overview of
noteworthy items. Revenues are as expected. Higher capital spending as projects
are catching up from supply challenges.
Mr. Thakkar responded to questions from the Finance Commission:
• Hopeful the Village will experience a surplus in revenue again.
• If the Village was a AAA bond rated community, we would save around 15-20
basis points. For example, on a $70-80 million bond the Village would save
$9-10 million in interest over 20 years.
• S&P. Moody's and Fitch are the rating agencies. The Village has to pay the
agencies for the rating process.
VI. Any Other Business
None
VII. Chairperson's Report
None
VIII. Finance Director's Report
Mr. Thakkar presented a property tax assessment issue regarding the Maple Street Lofts
property that was completed in 2021. The property assessment was not completed in a
timely manner by the county, so it was omitted from Prospect and Main TIF district's tax
process. The increment tax revenue generated from the property was distributed taxing
bodies based on their tax rates. It is a one-time loss to the TIF district of $1.9 million.
Mr. Thakkar responded to questions from the Finance Commission:
• Staff works with developers to ensure they are reporting completed projects to the
County's Assessor's Office in a timely manner. The required documents were
submitted in a timely manner but were not processed by the County in a timely
manner for Maple Street Lofts.
• The property tax error does not affect the individuals living in the building.
• The Village requires reporting the development to the county as part of the
occupancy process.
• Revenues are coming significantly higher, good occupancy ratio, and they are
paying their due taxes.
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IX. Next Meeting:
February 22, 2024
X. Adjournment:
Motion by Vince Grochocinski seconded by Kenneth Arndt to adjourn the meeting.
Chair Chokshi called roll call vote.
Motion Carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Alexander Bertolucci
Assistant to the Village Manager
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