Mokena Officials Approve Fiscal Year 2022 Budget

Richard Free Press

June 29 2021

MOKENA, Ill. — The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees voted 5-0 Monday, June 28, to approve the Village’s fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget.

Trustee Debbie Engler was absent.

The Village anticipates revenues to be $30.7 million compared to expenditures planned at $37.59 million. The opening fund balance for the Village is estimated to be $73.2 million, and officials estimate the ending fund balance will be $66.4 million.

“I’m very happy and pleased to present a very positive and strong fiscal year 2022 budget,” Village Administrator John Tomasoski told the board members during the meeting.

The FY 2022 budget calls for replacing three police vehicles, two public works trucks with plows and spreaders, two pickup trucks for public works, and two more pickup trucks for the community development department. The budget also funds one new police sergeant, one additional officer and one part-time evidence clerk — as well as one additional maintenance worker for public works.

In terms of infrastructure improvements, the FY 2022 budget allows for: resurfacing of 3.36 miles of local roads at an estimated cost of $1.43 million; an estimated total of $425,000 to repair curbs, sidewalks, streets and lights; an estimated $101,000 for pedestrian-related areas; and $85,000 for bridge-related repairs.

“We’re experiencing a lot of growth and change that we all knew was coming,” said Tomasoski, noting the Village welcomed two new trustees and new staff members in management positions during the budget planning process.

Tomasoski also detailed some of the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic and state lawmakers presented to the process. While state lawmakers did not approve Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to cut the Local Government Distributive Fund by 10%, which would have meant Mokena losing out on $225,182, the State did place a 1.5% administrative fee on the revenue provided by the one-half percent sales tax, costing the Village $39,804.

Still, Tomasoski pointed out several positives, such as the Village keeping its AA+ bond rating, not collecting utility taxes, and maintaining the lowest sales tax in the Lincoln-Way area at 7.5%. He also said the general fund is ending FY 2021 in “a very positive position,” as Mokena will be able to transfer a total of $5.89 million in fund surplus.

Tomasoski said the operating fund balances were all in “strong, stable positions.” He thanked staff, including Finance Director Barb Damron, for her work on the budget.

“Barb put all the time and effort necessary here to finalize what she’s telling me is going to be her last budget with the Village,” he said. “She did a tremendous job.” Trustee George Metanias also thanked staff for their work on the budget and noted that the Village has operated at a high level “without spending money foolishly.”

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