South Barrington board adopts 2022–23 tax levy, extends temporary executive powers and OKs contracts and bonuses

Mayor Paula McCombie called the Village of South Barrington board to order at 7:33 p.m. Thursday and the board dealt with routine finance items, vendor agreements and personnel matters before moving into closed session on pending litigation.

In the meeting’s most consequential action, the board adopted an ordinance approving the Village’s annual tax levy for fiscal year 2022–2023 after a public hearing that drew no speakers. Trustee Joseph Abbate moved to open and close the hearing and then moved the ordinance (Trustee Anthony Stagno seconded); the roll call recorded five Ayes, zero Nays and one absence (Trustee Kanu Panchal), and the ordinance carried.

The board also approved an ordinance extending temporary executive powers under 65 ILCS 5/11‑1‑6. Trustee Hina Patel moved the measure (seconded by Trustee Anthony Stagno); the motion passed on the same 5–0 roll call with Trustee Panchal absent.

On routine finance business, trustees approved Warrant Run #1 for $55,324.69 and Warrant Run #2 for $268,586.14. Trustee Joseph Abbate moved approval of the first warrant (seconded by Trustee Hina Patel); Trustee Hina Patel moved approval of the second (seconded by Trustee Anthony Stagno). Both roll calls were recorded as Ayes 5, Nays 0, Trustee Kanu Panchal absent. The board tabled approval of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures and the Detailed Balance Sheet as of Nov. 30, 2022 by unanimous voice votes.

The board approved an employee holiday bonus on a 5–0 roll call (amount not specified in the minutes). Trustee Stephen Guranovich moved that item; Trustee Anthony Stagno seconded.

Trustees approved several vendor agreements and resolutions brought forward by the Finance and Administration committees. Motions passed on roll call votes (Ayes 5, Nays 0, Trustee Panchal absent) to: waive formal bid and accept Midwest Meter, Inc.'s proposal for a “Beacon Hostel Mobile Drive‑By Meter Reading Solution;” authorize a professional services agreement with Lauterbach & Amen LLP for accounting services (subject to attorney review); accept Assured Partners’ proposal for IPRF workers’ compensation insurance effective Jan. 1, 2023–Jan. 1, 2024; enter an agreement with Barrington Snow Solutions for snow removal and ice control at Village Hall and the water treatment plant; and contract with James Duncan Associates, Inc. for code revision services.

During committee and staff reports, Trustee Stephen Guranovich noted no Building & Zoning meeting this month. Chairwoman Hina Patel said the Emergency Management Committee met Dec. 5 and is working with John Heiderscheidt on an Emergency Management Plan. Village Engineer Natalie Karney briefed the board on an upcoming culvert replacement at Lake Adalyn; Building Officer Mike Moreland reviewed recent permit activity; and Police Chief Thomas Roman reported on recent police activity and the search for a temporary records clerk.

Trustee Hina Patel moved (seconded by Trustee Joseph Abbate) to refer a proposal for new signage at the Arboretum to the Plan Commission; the referral was approved by unanimous voice vote. The board also approved the 2023 meeting calendar and publication of the 2023 regular meeting notice.

The meeting concluded with a motion by Trustee Joseph Abbate (seconded by Trustee Anthony Stagno) to adjourn into closed session to discuss pending litigation; roll call recorded Ayes 5, Nays 0, Trustee Kanu Panchal absent, and the board entered closed session at 8:45 p.m.

Minutes record that the meeting’s formal votes were unanimous among those present; where the minutes do not specify amounts or details (for example, the employee holiday bonus amount), the minutes list those items as approved but do not provide further detail.

The board’s next procedural steps recorded in these minutes include the vendor agreements (some subject to attorney review), the planned code revision work, and any follow‑up related to the tax levy and executive powers ordinances.