Lombard trustees approve FY2024 budget adjustments, expand volunteer committees and clear multiple contracts

Lombard trustees on June 19 approved an ordinance amending the village's fiscal year 2024 budget, authorized increases to pension and capital reserves, expanded the size of standing committees and the plan commission, and approved a multi-item consent agenda that included infrastructure contracts and vendor agreements.

The board voted unanimously to amend the FY2024 budget, adding $9,895,720 to the general fund as a waterfall transfer: $4,947,860 to the pension stabilization fund and $4,947,860 to the building reserve fund. The ordinance also included a $987,890 increase to the water and sewer operations and maintenance fund, a $867,570 increase to the police pension fund and a $693,160 increase to the fire pension fund. The motion to approve the budget amendment was made by Trustee Egan and seconded by Trustee Hammersmith; the roll call vote was recorded as aye.

The board also approved an ordinance to increase membership on the plan commission from seven to nine members and to raise the number of members on standing committees from eight to nine, including the creation of a student member. Trustee Hammersmith, who described herself as a primary driver of the change, said the expansion is intended to increase volunteer opportunities after recent difficulty filling openings. Scott (staff member) said the change will create 22 volunteer openings and that information will be posted starting the next morning, with an online portal for applicants and interviews to follow in July and August. "Starting…