Waite Hill council adopts multiple ordinances, certifies tax levies; finance report projects 22.5% jump in property-tax receipts

The Waite Hill Village Council met on Sept. 8, 2025, in village hall and adopted two resolutions and three ordinances, unanimously approving measures to authorize payments, certify tax levies, revise inspection language, establish minimum call‑in pay and update codified ordinance pages. The council also authorized sale of a 2013 International salt truck and received a detailed Finance Committee report projecting higher property-tax receipts.

Mayor Ryan W. Cox presided. Council approved the Aug. 11 minutes (motion by Karl Scheucher, seconded by Stephanie Winterer); roll call yeas were Brian Doty, Abby Hiltsley, Karl Scheucher, Richard Steudel and Stephanie Winterer, with Samuel Knezevic recorded as abstaining.

On formal actions, Resolution No. 2025‑10, authorizing payment of certain sums, was adopted after a motion by Karl Scheucher and a second by Richard Steudel (roll call: Doty, Hiltsley, Knezevic, Scheucher, Steudel, Winterer — all recorded as yea). Resolution No. 2025‑11, accepting rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies for certification to the County Auditor, was adopted following a motion by Richard Steudel and a second by Stephanie Winterer (unanimous roll call).

Council considered three ordinances. Ordinance No. 2025‑12 revises ordinance language on inspections of newly erected buildings and additions; the council suspended the three‑reading rule (moved by Winterer, seconded by Knezevic) and adopted the ordinance (moved by Knezevic, seconded by Doty) by unanimous roll call. Ordinance No. 2025‑13 creates a new call‑in pay section to provide minimum pay for employees called in outside regular hours and was declared an emergency; the three‑reading rule was suspended (moved by Karl Scheucher, seconded by Abby Hiltsley) and the ordinance was adopted (moved by Richard Steudel, seconded by Brian Doty) by unanimous vote. Ordinance No. 2025‑14, approving replacement pages to the Waite Hill Codified Ordinances (declared an emergency), was similarly expedited and adopted following unanimous roll call.

The council also declared a 2013 International salt truck surplus and authorized the Mayor and Service Director to sell it on www.govdeals.com for market value (motion by Karl Scheucher, seconded by Brian Doty; roll call unanimous).

In committee reports, Finance Committee Chair Karl Scheucher told the council that Lake County’s projection shows a 28% increase in property taxes in 2026. The committee’s detailed report appended to the minutes listed second‑half property tax collections of $439,462 and year‑to‑date property tax revenue of $1,337,520 (compared with $1,092,082 at the same point last year). The committee projects total 2025 property‑tax receipts of $1,419,983 (including an expected $82,463 in additional reimbursement revenues), representing a 22.5% increase over 2024. The report also noted Local Government Fund receipts for August of $12,782; interest income of $7,777; net income of $60,597 from a matured Street State Corp. bond; a new KKR & Company Inc. bond purchase maturing in 2035 (yield‑to‑maturity 5.1%); total revenue for the month of $465,148 and total expenses of $263,665 (including a final truck payment of $97,929 and $23,830 for road repairs). Total fund balances were reported at $8,804,438, down $395,613 from a year earlier, and the report included a multi-year projection showing a gradual decline in fund balances through 2030.

Planning and zoning matters were raised in committee reports. Council member Abby Hiltsley, reporting for the Planning and Zoning Commission and Architectural Board of Review, said a property on Eagle Road has requested a variance to build a large structure to house a car collection and that a Markell Road residence seeking to construct a barn must provide a professionally prepared site plan; discussion about when inspections are required led to the drafting and adoption of Ordinance No. 2025‑12.

Safety Committee Chair Stephanie Winterer reported a busy August and summarized responses to alleged trespasses, including an incident in which a teenage girl sent threatening text messages to another Metcalf Road resident while pretending to be someone else; the threats were found to be unfounded and the sender’s father indicated he would handle the matter. Service Director Bob Haynik reported that asphalt patching and cemetery work have been completed.

The council adjourned to executive session at 9:00 a.m. to discuss pending or imminent litigation and reconvened at 9:24 a.m. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned later that morning.