Trustees review draft FY2027 budget as police chief seeks two additional sworn officers

On March 9 the Burr Ridge Board received a high-level presentation of the draft FY2027 budget and departmental highlights. Administrator Evan said the village’s net position has increased over recent years and funds — including the capital and newly consolidated utilities fund — are in healthy positions while cautioning staff will not recommend using the village’s full financial capacity for the village hall project.

Evan summarized fund balances and revenue drivers: strong sales and place-of-eating tax receipts (including remote-sales allocations), motor-fuel changes tied to Rebuild Illinois projects, and hotel/motel fund draws for capital purchases. He said the general fund beginning balance and projected position indicate a stable cash position but reminded trustees the budget process allows final changes only through the March 23 board meeting (with the budget ordinance set for April 13).

The police chief presented the department’s FY2026 accomplishments — 16 new downtown cameras, expanded license-plate recognition, a part-time social worker shared with neighboring towns, portable speed monitoring devices and an electric vehicle pilot — and played a recruitment video. The chief asked the board to increase authorized sworn strength from 28 to 30 to establish a community-oriented response and enforcement unit and to reduce overtime pressure; he said actual staffing often falls short of authorized positions because of retirements, FMLA and vacancies. “We’re authorized for 28 sworn officers…we’re asking to go to 30 sworn officers,” the chief said.

Trustees asked about fiscal impacts and whether added positions would be offset by lower overtime; board members and administration said the village’s positive financial position may allow added capacity but that any staffing increases must be financially feasible. Trustee concerns included a projected 26% year-over-year increase in police wages referenced during discussion; supporters said the increase may be partially offset by reduced overtime and that protecting public safety is a primary municipal duty.

Edward Shisham of the Police and Fire Commission offered public comment praising the department and cautioned the board that lateral transfer competition and a smaller candidate pool could make it difficult to sustain higher authorized staffing even if approved.

Finance staff reported awards for budget and audit work, implementation of a new BSNA payment processor and rollout of the AquaHawk water portal for resident consumption monitoring. Public works and utilities presentations reviewed infrastructure projects (pump-center work, water-main replacements) and a plan to bring more landscaping maintenance in-house.

No budget adoption vote occurred; staff said further review will occur at the March 23 meeting and the board will adopt the budget ordinance on April 13, at which time material changes are not allowed.