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Timberlake council adopts 2025 tax budget, approves ARPA radio purchase and tables Local Government Fund formula
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Village of Timberlake council approved Resolution 2024‑9 adopting the Tax Budget, passed amended appropriations (2024‑10), authorized ARPA funds for police radios (2024‑11), hired a part‑time service worker (2024‑13), approved a training‑deadline extension (2024‑14) and tabled Resolution 2024‑12 on a new Local Government Fund formula.
The Village of Timberlake council on June 18 adopted its proposed Tax Budget for fiscal year 2025, approved amended appropriations, authorized spending of American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase police radios, hired a part‑time service employee and tabled a measure on an alternative Local Government Fund formula.
Council unanimously suspended the three‑reading rules and passed Resolution No. 2024‑9 approving the Tax Budget; minutes list the motion, second and a roll‑call vote showing all in favor. Council then unanimously approved Resolution No. 2024‑10 to amend the permanent appropriations; the Fiscal Officer, John H. Roskos, said the change was necessary because income tax revenue has exceeded expectations and the village needed additional funds to cover a retainer paid to RITA.
The council also approved Resolution No. 2024‑11 authorizing the mayor and fiscal officer to use remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy radios from Communication Services for the police department. Roskos reported there is "approximately $22,000 left" in ARPA funds while the radios will total "over $26,000," leaving a funding gap the minutes indicate the council acknowledged.
On personnel, council approved Resolution No. 2024‑13 authorizing the mayor to hire Anthony Swartz as a part‑time service department employee; council members noted Swartz lives on Waban and previously served as Service Committee Chair. Later in the meeting council approved Resolution No. 2024‑14 (rules suspended) to extend the deadline for officers to qualify on shotguns and AR‑15s by 90 days to Sept. 16 and to specify the Lake County Range for training.
Council debated Resolution No. 2024‑12, which would adopt a new alternative apportionment formula for the Local Government Fund. Mayor John Marra reviewed the formula’s history and presented municipal revenue comparisons; discussion touched on legal opinions and political implications. The council voted to table Resolution 2024‑12 for additional discussion; roll call recorded votes of yes from Jerry Joyce, Margaret Joyce, Cynthia Hardwick and Nancy Marra, and an abstention from Kevin Thompson. The motion to table passed for further review.
The meeting included the Fiscal Officer’s May financial summary showing a General Fund balance of $428,893.18 and an estimated end‑of‑year surplus of roughly $124,358.95 (or about $109,358.95 if $15,000 is moved to the Police Cruiser Capital Fund). No public comments were recorded. Council adjourned at 7:45 PM; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2024 at 6:30 PM.
