Westchester trustees present lean FY2027 budget, defer major equipment and keep pensions funded

Village of Westchester staff presented a pared‑down FY2027 budget at the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 12, saying targeted cuts and altered pension contributions reduced an initial $1.6 million shortfall to about $402,000 while preserving a 30% general‑fund reserve policy.

"This budget is for fiscal year 2027 for the village at this point in time. It's 05/01/2026 to 04/30/2027," said Barry, the staff lead presenting the plan, adding that a public hearing and formal adoption would follow the discussion. He told trustees that pension strategy and other adjustments were central to lowering the deficit.

Stefan, who presented detailed revenue and personnel assumptions, said the draft budget started with conservative revenue estimates and included a 3.25% cost‑of‑living adjustment for personnel. "When we put those numbers together, we had a $1,500,000 deficit," Stefan said. He said adjustments to pension contributions produced roughly $910,000 in savings and additional account scrubs lowered the general‑fund gap to about $402,000.

Why it matters: staff said the village will remain above statutory pension funding minimums and maintain a fund‑balance policy of 30%, a cushion trustees said justifies a modest planned deficit while core services continue.

Capital and utility decisions: staff recommended deferring several large capital purchases to stay within available funds. Barry said the village will delay replacing the 12‑year vactor truck, costing roughly $600,000, and will buy one fire engine this year instead of two. Police vehicle requests were trimmed from four to three (two frontline and one administrative vehicle), with some replaced fleet vehicles rotated to other departments.

Sewer lining and certain utility projects were left out of the proposed budget pending responses to RFPs and the award of an IEPA loan. "We're going to wait until we get all our RFPs and all of our water projects back," Barry said, and return with a budget amendment if bids and loan proceeds make projects feasible.

Trustees pressed staff on deferred‑purchase risks and future cost increases, noting new emissions standards and market pressures could raise replacement costs. Staff agreed to provide more detail on deferred items and anticipated future costs.

Staffing and new positions: the draft funds two supervisory title changes and one new HR generalist this year. Trustees debated whether to plan for future hires such as a media‑relations or economic‑development director; several trustees said those positions should be deferred until higher priorities — a deputy fire chief and front‑desk assistance — are addressed.

Community programming and training: a trustee asked the board to restore the training budget to last year's $12,000 and to reconsider fully funding a two‑day Juneteenth event that had been reduced from $10,000 to $8,000. Trustees did not make an immediate change but asked staff to evaluate options.

Process and next steps: legal counsel confirmed the budget may be amended during the public hearing process before final adoption. Trustees were asked to submit detailed questions in writing; the draft budget is scheduled for a public hearing and a possible vote at the next board meeting.

Formal action: trustees moved and seconded a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel and property matters under statutory provisions; a roll call vote returned unanimous "Aye." The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

What’s next: staff will provide follow‑up documents on deferred capital items, the list of positions included in the draft, and the figures behind the pension adjustments so trustees can review them prior to the public hearing scheduled at the next meeting.