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Weston trustees review preliminary 2025 budget, weigh borrowing and fund-balance options for SAFER staffing
Summary
Trustees reviewed preliminary 2025 budget figures showing a general‑fund shortfall and debated funding options for SAFER staffing — including a spring referendum, short‑term borrowing, or using fund balance — while raising concern about reassessment-driven tax bill increases for residents.
Trustees at a special Village of Weston meeting reviewed preliminary numbers for the 2025 budget and discussed how to close an estimated general‑fund gap while funding a proposed SAFER staffing program.
Staff told the board the village is budgeting about $115,000 in additional revenue for 2025 (including transportation aid and shared revenue) but still faces a preliminary general‑fund deficit of roughly $113,000. The draft includes placeholders for an 11% rise in health‑insurance costs and a 3% wage placeholder pending final rates.
The meeting centered on options to cover SAFER costs: pursue a spring referendum; use a levy exemption (CIP plus 2) if eligible; short‑term borrow with repayment once revenues stabilize; or apply fund balance for a limited period. Trustees were warned that short‑term borrowing preserves the village’s ability to meet state expenditure‑restraint rules but increases debt service, while using fund balance could be a one‑year stopgap that would complicate future operations.
"If we borrowed the first year and used fund balance the second, that could buy time," a staff presenter said while outlining tradeoffs. Trustees repeatedly noted timing is sensitive because many residents are already seeing higher tax bills after recent property reassessments.
Trustees also discussed the possibility of a merger with a neighboring fire department to realize savings; an informal estimate of about $50,000 in potential savings was raised but no formal cost‑benefit analysis was presented. Staff said they will model scenarios for next meetings, including the effects on levy limits, expenditure‑restraint eligibility and debt service.
The board discussed moving roughly $200,000 of street maintenance costs into a capital fund (Fund 42) so the village can borrow for projects rather than fund them from operations. Staff said that approach will change how the operating increase shows on the general fund but may be necessary to preserve services amid broader revenue pressures.
The meeting closed without a final decision on the 2025 budget or a referendum. Staff was directed to return with updated, detailed numbers and options for the board to consider at upcoming meetings.
