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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2025 FC MinutesFinance Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 22, 2025 Village Hall Council Chambers Conference Room 50 S Emerson Street Mount Prospect, IL 60056 i. Call to order The meeting was called to order at7:10 P.M. Commission members present: Don Ocwieja, Ken Arndt, Sam Cannizzaro, and Vince Grochocinski Staff Present: Director of Finance Amit Thakkar, and Assistant to the Village Manager Josh Alla i n ii. Approval of minutes a. Motion by Vince Grochocinski, seconded by Sam Cannizzaro, to approve the minutes of the Finance Commission meeting of April24, 2025. A voice vote was called. Motion passed unanimously iii. Citizens to be heard No citizens were present for the Citizens to be heard portion of the meeting. iv. Old Business None V. New Business Grocery Tax Analysis and Recommendation Director Thakkar presented a report on the upcoming change in grocery taxation. It was explained that the Commission would be asked to provide a recommendation to the board on how the Commission believes the Village should respond to the State's change in the grocery tax. The shift in taxes from the State to the local government level was explained, the change was explained in great detail. The Commission talked about potentially having shoppers select Mount Prospect as their preferred grocery shopping location if the grocery sales tax was removed. Director Thakkar explained that the Village will continue to monitor grocery sales information and present what the dollar amount could potentially be if the tax was removed. Sam Cannizzaro asked if the Village can select a grocery tax amount of less than 1%. Director Thakkar explained that less than 1% is an option. Sam also asked if the State deducts any portion from the taxes they collect. It was explained to the Commission that the State does collect a 1.5% collection fee. Sam asked why the general fund surplus was decreasing. Director Thakkar walked through the various general fund surpluses while also explaining. Ken Arndt stated that he believes the Village has been financially prudent. Ken also stated that the Village does not do enough to publicly show the "financial wins". Director Thakkar explained that the Village does attempt to share information on the "financial wins" and that the Village shares information through multiple communications platforms and mediums. It was confirmed that the removal of the grocery tax would be publicized. Director Thakkar explained the Village could look into new ways to share changes in the grocery tax with the community. Motion by Sam Cannizzaro, seconded by Don Ocwieja, to support the staff's recommendation to not instate a local grocery sales tax following the removal of the state grocery sales tax. A voice vote was called. Motion passed unanimously Financial Updates Director Thakkar provided an update of all Village funds to the Finance Commission; the focus was on the month of April. Some sales tax numbers were missing because of sales tax numbers trailing by three months. Director Thakkar's presentation demonstrated that revenues were in line with what staff projected for the month of April. Use taxes were down as a result of some items that had previously been use -tax eligible items movingto standard sales tax -eligible items. The Commission discussed annual faltering cannabis numbers. Ken asked for an explanation of the use tax, Director Thakkar provided an explanation. Commodities are down as a result of the mild winter the Village experienced and the subsequent decreased use of salt. An update was provided about the Economic Emergency Fund. The Commission noted the increase in Real Estate Sales Tax Stamps, and Director Thakkar explained the reasoning for this. The Audit Committee will meet in June. Ken asked about the personnel costs in the report, specifically when we will hire more staff to offset the overtime costs. Director Thakkar explained that the Village has been aware of this trend and currently has staff training in academies that will help to offset overtime costs. vi. Other Business None vii. Chair Report Ken would like everyone on the Commission to RSVP in advance. viii. Finance Directors Report None ix. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on June 26,2025 X. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Ocwieja, seconded by Commissioner Grochocinski, to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Derfler called a voice vote The motion was carried unanimously The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.