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Willow Springs board adopts balanced 2025 budget, holds levy flat
Summary
The Village of Willow Springs approved a balanced 2025 budget on Dec. 12 that keeps the tax levy flat, creates the village’s first long‑term capital projects fund, adds a patrol officer and equipment, and includes a $525,000 contingency and a modest $11,536 surplus.
The Village of Willow Springs board on Dec. 12 approved the village’s 2025 annual budget, which the administrator said is fully balanced and keeps the property tax levy unchanged.
"This budget is fully balanced with, 0 increase in taxes for the rest of it," Administrator Grace said while presenting the final draft. She told trustees the budget includes the village’s first long‑term capital projects funding line, funds for new equipment and vehicles, and a personnel change in public works.
Why it matters: the plan preserves current service levels, funds capital improvements in the Village Square area and public works, and aims to restore pay competitiveness for employees through the personnel and salary adjustments that the board separately approved.
Key details: the budget retains a $525,000 contingency in the corporate account and projects a surplus of $11,536. The administration proposed hiring a new full‑time public works laborer to replace an open part‑time position, increased the overtime line from $12,000 to $14,000, and included funding to purchase three squad cars and a new public works truck. Administrator Grace said the village has paid off prior debt over the last year, which allowed the shifts in funding priorities.
TIF and revenues: Grace and trustees discussed treatment of TIF 2 in the final budget. She said revenues and the associated TIF 2 expenses are predetermined by the district agreement; the developer, village and the school district all receive portions of proceeds, and the school district's share is 40 percent as specified when TIF 2 was created.
Trustee discussion and vote: trustees commended the administration’s work on cost control and the move toward a multi‑year capital plan. The annual appropriations ordinance for 2025 was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call vote.
What’s next: the village will post adopted meeting dates and the approved budget documents on the village calendar and follow through on the capital project procurement and hiring steps approved in the budget.
