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Northfield trustees review proposed FY2027 budget that projects a $425,000 preliminary surplus
Summary
Village manager Patrick presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget March 10, reporting a preliminary FY2026 year-end surplus of about $425,000, while trustees pressed for conservative planning because of rising pension and personnel costs; the public hearing is set for March 24.
Patrick, the village manager, told the Committee of the Whole that the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget covers the village’s fund-based accounting structure and a migration from the OpenGov system to a new chart-of-accounts template. He said staff posted the full proposal online and will present a finalized request for the March 24 public hearing.
Patrick said general fund revenues are running more than $800,000 above budget this year, driven mainly by sales tax, home-rule sales tax and a spike in building-permit receipts. "Right now, we are projecting a net positive budget of $425,000 end of year," he said, while cautioning the figure is preliminary and staff will refine projections over the next month.
Trustees pressed for conservative assumptions. One trustee warned of long-term pension obligations, saying the village faces rising police-pension costs and noting that in seven years the pension bill could reach "$3,000,000 not $2,000,000." Trustees discussed the village’s general fund target (55%–70% of expenditures) and whether to use surplus funds to pay down Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund underfunding, bolster the police pension, or reserve for capital projects.
The proposed FY2027 budget shows a budget-to-budget revenue increase of about $883,000 but a more conservative projected year-over-year increase of roughly $71,000; expenditures rise by about $867,000, largely from personnel costs. Patrick detailed personnel changes, including new hires that increased health-insurance and wage expenses, and recommended a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for staff.
Board members discussed adding an assistant to the village manager to support communications, economic development and special projects. Patrick said the village would likely delay hiring until several months after budget approval to confirm revenue sustainability.
Next steps: staff will update the draft, list changes in the request for board action and return to trustees for the March 24 public hearing, where the board may adopt the budget or modify it based on trustee directions and the Hap Road committee presentation.
