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Shorewood Hills board approves $2.62 million in payments as trustees press for more line-item detail
Summary
The Village Board approved $2,622,169.26 in bills April 21 and discussed requests from trustees for clearer line-item disclosure on consultant and attorney spending; staff said consultants are used when issues fall outside existing staff expertise.
The Village of Shorewood Hills Board of Trustees on April 21 approved payment of bills totaling $2,622,169.26 while several trustees pressed for more detailed disclosure of consultant and attorney spending.
Trustee Mark Lederer moved and Trustee Carol Barford seconded the motion to approve payment of bills. The motion carried. Trustee Brian Utschig said he wanted routine packets to show line-item consultant and attorney authorizations so trustees could see where money is being spent rather than treating bill approval as a "rubber stamp." Village Administrator Brian Mooney said he views consultants as extensions of staff and calls on them when technical or legal expertise is needed beyond current staff capacity. Finance Director/Treasurer Julie Fitzgerald described the village's procurement policy in response to questions from Trustee Shabnam Lotfi about transparency.
The discussion focused on whether trustees should see more granular authorization details in meeting packets and on trends versus transaction-level detail; Trustee Rocky Van Asten said he was more interested in spending trends than individual entries. The Board took no additional action directing a change to packet formats at the meeting.
The payment vote was one of several consent- and business-agenda decisions during the April 21 session, which also included approval of a change of agent for the Metro Market liquor license and multiple items tabled to the May meeting. The Board adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
