Sleepy Hollow board adopts FY2027 budget, funds pension study and raises vehicle cap

The Sleepy Hollow Village Board approved its FY2027 budget after discussing amended capital and personnel provisions, trustees said at the meeting.

Trustees debated adjustments presented after the finance committee review, including raising the five‑year vehicle cap for a squad car from $51,144 to $62,800 and adding $1,500 for computer management services. Administrator Van and finance trustees also explained that the budget includes a placeholder to fund an actuarial study toward adopting the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) for eligible employees in the future.

"We're looking at about $90,000 to go into a pension that we've allocated within the budget to at least have a bookmark there for it or place," Administrator Van said during the debate, describing early estimates and the multi‑step process the village would use before committing to IMRF. Trustees emphasized the budget vote does not itself adopt IMRF; it only allocates funds to support a later actuarial study and potential vote.

Trustees also amended the ancillary fee schedule to add non‑resident tournament fees for park use (a $400 non‑resident tournament fee per day and $100 per hour for police support was discussed and added to the schedule) and discussed sale of old vehicles to offset some capital costs. After discussion the board voted to adopt the FY2027 budget; the chair announced the motion passed with no opposition.

The board asked staff to return more precise pension cost numbers once the actuarial study is complete and to place any formal IMRF adoption on a future agenda for a separate vote.