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Fairfield Township staff outlines multi-year budget shortfalls, trustees weigh levies and TIF use
Summary
Staff presented multi-year budget projections showing deficits in fire, police and public works budgets; trustees discussed levy sizes and whether to use TIF or transfers to cover salaries or capital projects, and asked department heads to model cuts if levies fail.
Township staff told trustees that under current revenue and expense trends, the township faces growing shortfalls across public safety and public works and will need to consider levies, transfers, or use of TIF funds to remain solvent.
Staff presented projections that, under modest revenue growth and higher expense inflation, would produce operating deficits in the fire and police budgets and growing shortfalls in public works in the coming years. Trustees were shown scenarios for required levy sizes if the board sought to fill the fire-department gap entirely: staff provided illustrative millage estimates tied to several timing options and emphasized that delays increase the required mills.
Trustees debated options. Some members said the safest path is to ask voters for a larger levy now; others urged caution and asked staff for modeling that shows what service reductions or staffing cuts would look like if levies fail. “If these don't pass, then what do we do?” one trustee asked, and the board asked department heads to prepare “cuts” scenarios for a future meeting.
TIF and debt service issues came up repeatedly. Staff and trustees discussed existing TIF collections, scheduled distributions to the school district, and upcoming debt-service payments tied to development agreements and bond issues. The board approved resolutions authorizing routine TIF distributions and debt payments on schedule; trustees also asked for clearer amortization schedules and a running balance showing how much principal remains on applicable development agreements.
Next steps: Trustees asked administration to provide detailed, department-level scenarios showing the financial impact and staffing consequences if levies fail; financial detail and TIF amortization schedules were requested for follow-up meetings so the board can set a levy size and a capital spending plan for TIF funds, if any.
Ending: The board left the discussion without setting a levy question. Staff will return with the requested financial scenarios and TIF/payment schedules before trustees decide whether to place measures on the ballot.
