Lindenhurst board adopts 2024–2026 strategic plan, extends municipal aggregation and approves FY 2024–25 budget

At its April 22, 2024 regular meeting, the Village of Lindenhurst Board adopted a 2024–2026 strategic plan, extended its municipal aggregation program under a two-year "Price Match Guarantee," awarded a chemical analysis services contract to Pace Analytical for up to $40,166, and adopted the FY 2024–2025 budget.

The strategic plan was presented remotely by representatives from Northern Illinois University, who summarized focus-group input from residents, stakeholder discussions and a workshop with elected officials and staff. Trustee Dawn Suchy moved to adopt the plan; Trustee Pat Dunham seconded and the measure passed on a roll-call vote of 6–0. The plan sets five strategic goals for the next three to four years and identifies smaller action items for each goal.

The board also voted to extend the Village's municipal aggregation program by adopting Ordinance 24-4-2291. A representative from the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative reviewed options; the board selected a Price Match Guarantee Program intended to allow participating residents to pay the default ComEd rate while the Village receives an estimated $10,000 annual contribution from ComEd. Trustee Pat Dunham moved to adopt the ordinance; Trustee Ron Grace seconded and the ordinance passed 6–0.

Bids for next fiscal year's chemical analysis services were opened and reviewed. Because new testing requirements will include PFAs/PFOs and other analyses, staff anticipated higher costs. Pace Analytical submitted the most favorable bid and was awarded the contract not to exceed $40,166, with a contract extension option of up to two additional years. Trustee Dawn Suchy moved to award the bid; Trustee Pat Dunham seconded and the award carried on a 6–0 roll-call vote.

Village Administrator Clay Johnson summarized the FY 2024–2025 draft budget, noting board-requested revisions. The board adopted Ordinance 24-4-2292 to approve the FY 2024–2025 budget by a 6–0 roll-call vote; after adoption the budget will be certified and provided to Lake County and full budget books will be assembled for board members.

Other business: the board approved the second set of April bills totaling $412,101.70; Trustee Patty Chybowski moved to approve the April 8 meeting minutes; and Police Chief Tom Jones reported community outreach and credited local partnerships for helping Lindenhurst reach a top-20 public-safety ranking in Illinois. The meeting included a public hearing on the budget that drew no public comment. The board then moved into executive session to discuss collective negotiating matters and personnel, returned to regular session and adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the strategic plan adoption (mover: Trustee Dawn Suchy; second: Trustee Pat Dunham; roll-call 6–0); Ordinance 24-4-2291 municipal aggregation extension (mover: Trustee Pat Dunham; second: Trustee Ron Grace; roll-call 6–0); award to Pace Analytical (mover: Trustee Dawn Suchy; second: Trustee Pat Dunham; roll-call 6–0); Ordinance 24-4-2292 adopting the FY 2024–2025 budget (mover: Trustee Pat Dunham; second: Trustee Pat Dickson; roll-call 6–0); approval of bills $412,101.70 (mover: Trustee Pat Dunham; second: Trustee Pat Dickson; roll-call 6–0); minutes approval and adjournment carried by voice vote 6–0.

The board scheduled no additional public hearings and returned documents to administrative staff for certification. No public comments were made on the agenda items during the meeting.