Board of Trustees

Village of Skokie Board of Trustees Budget Hearing #1 Meeting Minutes April 13, 2026 | 6:15 p.m. Conference Room D & E or Village of Skokie YouTube Channel 5127 Oakton St., Skokie, IL 60077 The Village’s FY27 Proposed Budget and Budget Message, a detailed summary of the budget, are available for review on the Village’s website, www.skokie.org/budget. Annually, the Village Board reviews the budget at four public budget hearings. These hearings are open to the public and also are streamed live and archived on the Village’s YouTube channel. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tennes. Roll Call/Declaration of Quorum In attendance: Trustees Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Schechter, Robinson and Mayor Tennes. Also present was Deputy Corporation Counsel, Barb Mangler, Village Clerk Minal Desai, Village Manager, John Lockerby, Finance Director, Julian Prendi and Assistant to the Village Manager, Alex Franz. Not in Attendance: Trustee Pure Slovin. Municipal Finances 101 and Budget Overview Village Manager John Lockerby presented the FY27 Budget Overview. During the overview of the strategic goal action items, Mayor Tennes asked if the Next Generation 911 system would allow text messaging. John explained that it would. Finance Director Julian Prendi then presented a Municipal Finance Overview. Trustee Iverson asked if money in special funds can be transferred to the general fund. Julian explained that they could but it is not Village practice. Trustee Lissa Levy asked about the impact of reverting police and fire pensions to tier 1. Julian explained that it would have a significant impact on Village finances. Mayor Tennes inquired on how membership of the Fire and Police Pension Boards is established. Julian explained that it is set by state statute. Trustee Schechter requested updates on the Villages fund reserves and an excess fund reserve policy. Mayor Tennes expressed her support for an excess fund reserve policy and Trustee Lissa Levy suggested tying excess reserves with participatory budgeting. John Lockerby explained the flexibility that the Village’s current policy allows during economic shortfalls. Julian explained that staff will research excess reserve policies. Mayor Tennes and Trustee Schechter expressed their support for raising the percentage of the fund balance policy. Julian Prendi presented an overview of the FY27 Revenues. Trustee Lissa Levy asked if the additional tax revenues that were collected as a result of the federal tariffs would have to be returned. Julian explained that they would not. Trustee Schechter asked about the Old Orchard Business District tax. John noted that there is an agreement that would terminate the district 639209 when funding goals are reached. Trustee Iverson noted his support for conservative financial policies. Trustee Schechter asked for an analysis on how much the Skokie economy would have to grow to meet the growing economic shortfalls in the general fund. Mayor Tennes inquired on the process for changing the reserve policy. John said that staff would prepare a memo analyzing an increased reserve policy. In regards to the water rate, Mayor Tennes inquired on the percentage increase of future year water rates. Julian explained that similar increases to FY27 are projected. John Lockerby presented an overview of the FY27 Proposed Expenditures. Mayor Tennes asked how the $50,000 contingency budget is used. John explained that he will provide a report. Trustee Iverson noted the large health insurance increase and asked if it was expected. Julian explained that it was and is largely the result of prescription drug costs. Mayor Tennes asked about the downtown parking garage and John explained its funding structure and use. In response to the two new strategic enhancements, Trustee Lissa Levy asked what days the fourth ambulance peak hours program would be in effect. John explained that Fire Chief Eschner will explain the program in greater detail during his budget presentation. Trustee Iverson ask if the proposed revenue enhancements were sufficient to cover the new expenditures. Julian explained that they were. Trustee Schechter asked about the refuse fee and Mayor Tennes asked about a yard waste sticker fee. John provided a background on both. Mayor Tennes expressed her support with adding a credit card fee pass-through. Mayor Tennes noted that video gambling will be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting in June. Trustee Schechter inquired on establishing a special service area for the downtown area. Mayor Tennes noted the upcoming Economic Vitality Study which could include an analysis on a special service area. Trustee Robinson asked about a tax on cannabis and Julian noted that the Village does collect revenue from cannabis sales. Trustee Lissa Levy asked if the hotel tax includes short term rentals. Julian explained that it does. When asked by the Mayor about the amusement tax increase and addition of streaming services, the group voiced no objections to staff’s recommendation. The Mayor noted that she is not in favor of a vehicle sticker increase. Trustee Lissa Levy suggested a small, incremental increase instead of a large one. In regards to a credit card fee pass-through, the Mayor noted a group consensus on adding the fee. Trustee Robinson noted the number of increases include in the FY27 proposed budget. Public Comment David Dalka commented on ambulances, tree removal, parkway enhancements, stop signs on Lorel, Cook County and State resources for planting trees along the expressway, removal of the vehicle sticker fee, additional police funding, reorganization of the police and fire departments, and expenditures of the Village’s Boards and Commissions. Review of Budgets: I. Board of Trustees/Liquor Control Commission Mayor Tennes presented the FY27 budget for the Board of Trustees and Liquor Control Commission. Trustee Schechter asked that the strategic plan and board briefs be added to the Board of Trustees snapshot and suggested adding new objectives on 639209  engagement, a housing commission, and a policy for Board and Commission engagement with the Village Board. John noted that Communications staff will present on Board engagement initiatives during their budget presentation. Trustee Lissa Levy suggested that the Board reevaluate Trustee and Board/Commission compensation. Barb noted that state statute requires 180 days prior to the next election for compensation increases. Mayor Tennes noted the inequity of payment to Board and Commission members and that few towns offer payment. In reference to the liquor control commission budget, Trustee Kimani Levy inquired if it includes BYOB. The Mayor noted that it does. II. Village Clerk Village Clerk Minal Desai presented the FY27 Village Clerk budget. Trustee Robinson asked about the salaries of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. Trustee Schechter asked about the workload indicators and if voter events are held at the high schools. Clerk Desai advised that the schools have their own events. Trustee Kimani Levy asked if there are any AI tools that might assist the department. Trustee Iverson complimented the Clerk and Mayor on their event attendance. III. Corporation Counsel Deputy Corporation Counsel, Barb Mangler presented the FY27 Corporation Counsel budget. Trustee Kimani Levy inquired about the number of proposed ordinances from the prior year. Trustee Schechter suggested including an administrative hearing compliance rate in the snapshots. Trustee Robinson asked about Youth Call. Mayor Tennes noted that the hybrid corporation counsel format is under constant review and noted the increased interaction between the Corporation Counsels office and the Managers Office. IV. Finance Department Finance Director, Julian Prendi, presented the FY27 budget for the Finance Department. Trustee Schechter noted that objective 18 should be corrected to 26 payrolls. Adjournment Motion to adjourn to closed session in accordance to Section 2, Paragraph C.2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act pertaining to wage and benefit discussion at 9:31 p.m. Moved: Trustee Lissa Levy Seconded: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Schechter, and Robinson Nays: None. Absent: Trustee Pure Slovin. MOTION CARRIED 639209