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Dolton trustees order forensic‑audit RFP, approve mutual‑aid pact, business licenses and bank lease
Summary
The Dolton Board of Trustees on April 7 voted unanimously to authorize a request for proposals for a forensic audit and to approve several administrative and legal actions, including a mutual‑aid agreement for the fire department, the issuance of business liquor licenses and a bank lease agreement.
The Dolton Board of Trustees on April 7 voted unanimously to authorize a request for proposals (RFP) for a forensic audit and approved a string of administrative and legal actions, including a mutual‑aid agreement for the fire department, the issuance of numerous business liquor licenses and an agreement with Premier Bank to bring public‑works leases current.
The measures were introduced and voted on during the regular meeting after citizens’ remarks and department reports. Trustee Belcher moved to issue the forensic‑audit RFP; Trustee Tammy Brown seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call, with Trustee Tammy Brown, Trustee Norwood, Trustee Stan Brown, Trustee Belcher and Mayor Pro Tem House voting aye.
The forensic‑audit RFP will seek bids to review village operations including the police, water and housing departments, Trustee Belcher said in introducing the item. “It will give us some clarity on what we don't know,” she said, explaining the RFP is intended to produce cost estimates for a full forensic accounting and operational review.
Deputy Chief Steve summarized the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) auto‑aid agreement approved the same night. He described MABAS as a mutual‑aid network that allows neighboring communities to deploy specialized units and additional firefighters to respond to structure fires, major vehicle extrications and hazardous‑materials incidents.
The board also voted to override what the meeting record described as a de facto veto by Mayor Hennard and to issue a large set of business licenses and liquor licenses that had been on the agenda. Trustee Stan Brown moved to approve the licenses; Trustee Tammy Brown seconded. The trustees approved the motion by roll call.
After an executive session, the board approved accepting Premier Bank’s offer to bring public‑works leases current. The board later moved to name Mayor Hinyard as a third‑party defendant in the litigation captioned Metro Media v. Village of Dolton; Trustee Belcher moved and Trustee Tammy Brown seconded the motion, which passed on a roll call vote.
In addition, trustees passed Ordinance 205‑1, providing commencement dates for officers elected at the April 1, 2025 election.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (03/03/2025) — motion: approve minutes as read; mover: Trustee Norwood; second: Trustee Stan Brown; vote: Tammy Brown Aye, Norwood Aye, Stan Brown Aye, Belcher Aye, Mayor Pro Tem House Aye; outcome: approved. - Electronic payments warrant list (02/28/2025), total $400,215.61 — mover: Trustee Belcher; second: Trustee Norwood; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Accounts payable warrant list (04/07/2025), total $1,719,186.31 — mover: Trustee Belcher; second: Trustee Stan Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Approve MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) auto‑aid agreement — mover: Trustee Norwood; second: Trustee Belcher; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Issue RFP for forensic audit (scope: police, water, housing departments) — mover: Trustee Belcher; second: Trustee Tammy Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved (RFP to be posted to clerk/website). - Override mayor’s de facto veto and approve listed business/liquor licenses (multiple named businesses) — mover: Trustee Stan Brown; second: Trustee Tammy Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Accept Premier Bank offer to bring public‑works leases current — mover: Trustee Norwood; second: Trustee Stan Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved (terms reviewed in executive session). - Ordinance 205‑1 (commencement of terms for 04/01/2025 election) — mover: Trustee Belcher; second: Trustee Tammy Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: adopted. - Name mayor as third‑party defendant in Metro Media v. Village of Dolton — mover: Trustee Belcher; second: Trustee Tammy Brown; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
Why it matters
Trustees characterized the forensic‑audit RFP as an early priority for the incoming administration to establish a baseline of the village’s financial and operational status. The mutual‑aid pact expands the fire department’s access to regional resources, and the bank agreement resolves an outstanding leasing matter for public works. The board’s vote to override the mayor’s previously withheld approvals immediately clears a backlog of business licenses the trustees said had delayed local commerce.
What’s next
- The clerk will post the forensic‑audit RFP and accept proposals; timing and budget will be set after bids are received. - The Premier Bank lease acceptance will be implemented per the terms reviewed in executive session. - Litigation steps in Metro Media v. Village of Dolton proceed with the named third‑party defendant.
Ending: Trustees closed the meeting after routine adjournment votes and the board’s unanimous roll‑call approvals; several new administrative steps — most notably the forensic‑audit RFP — are now scheduled to proceed through the clerk’s office and the village procurement process.
