The Village of Woodridge recently joined the Pension Fairness for Illinois Communities Coalition in an effort to address the escalating costs of public safety pensions.  The cost of funding these pensions has more than doubled since 1999 in communities across Illinois; and has increased in Woodridge from $101,092 in 1999 to $1,009,488 in 2010.  The escalating costs of these pensions have made it exceedingly difficult for the Village to address budget shortfalls in its Five Year Strategic Plan, which is a budget plan for the upcoming 5 years. Continued pension increases in an economic climate where tax revenues from sales, income, and utility taxes have declined severely makes it all the more important that pension increases stop.   

Governor Quinn will make his budget address on Wednesday.  His budget director announced yesterday that he plans to reduce the municipal share of the income tax by 30%.  If the Governor makes this reduction a reality, the impact to Woodridge is $830,000.  This is nearly as much as the Village spends over the course of two years in snowplowing and salting.

This money is not a handout from the State, it is the municipal share of the income tax.

Woodridge has made tough choices in order to be fiscally responsible and not push the financial burden onto residents.  The Village has cut $1,800,000 out of the budget in order to balance revenues and expenditures.  We’ve reduced the workforce by almost 15% through attrition and layoffs.  We’ve eliminated pay increases.  We’ve postponed large capital projects.  We’ve reduced day-to-day expenses by 10%.  We’ve acted responsibly in responding to the financial crisis.

This spring, the entire nation will undergo the 2010 Decennial U.S. Census.  An accurate Census count of Woodridge residents is vital for a number of reasons, including the amount of state shared revenues the Village receives.  These dollars are generated by our own residents and businesses.  A complete count makes sure that we capture back a portion of what Woodridge taxpayers have paid in taxes.  Currently the Village receives over $4,000,000 in state shared revenues.  In these tough economic times, the Village Board has made it a priority not to put any additional financial burden on our residents.  In order to accomplish this, it is especially important that our community not lose out on money that is due.  Undercounting could lead to a reduction in those revenues making it increasingly more difficult for the Village to support vital community services such as roadway maintenance and public safety. 

For a limited time only, starting March 1st and ending March 31st, 2010, if your residential electric service is pending disconnection, you can get on a path to successful management of your electricity bills. The Helping Hand program is designed to provide immediate relief to residential customers that are facing service suspension. It is open to qualifying ComEd customers who have received a disconnection notice or were recently disconnected. Funds are limited and restrictions apply.

Late last year, the PACE Board of Directors considered proposed service cuts to address a projected $6.5 million deficit in their 2010 budget. Due to the large public and municipal response to the proposed 51 route eliminations and service reductions, PACE decided to trim back the proposed service reductions to impact only 24 routes. While two of Woodridge's three (821 and 822) fixed bus routes were initially proposed for elimination, the PACE Board of Directors voted to combine the two routes, thereby preserving much of the fixed-route service to the community. The new route 821 and scheduling details can be found here. The new route will go into effect on February 7th.

On Thursday, December 17th, Officers Daniel McIntyre and Andy Rusticus were presented the Award of Valor at a Village of Woodridge Board Meeting. The Award of Valor is given to employees who have demonstrated heroism in hazardous circumstances. In order to be considered, an employee must exhibit bravery in the performance of duty while risking their own life. This is the department’s highest award.

The Village Board held a Goal Setting Workshop on Thursday, November 5, to set the direction for the Village’s Five Year Plan and the upcoming budget process.  As a part of that meeting, the Board talked through the challenges associated with the recently updated revenue forecast which projects an additional shortfall of $1.7M (net deficit of $2.6M).  The shortfall results from unexpected reductions in the income tax, natural gas tax, and sales tax.

Village staff at all levels are examining opportunities to reduce cost, eliminate non-essential expense, reviewing projects for possible deferral, and considering options for providing service through more cost effective means.  Though providing a challenge, the projected shortfalls are being aggressively addressed by staff.  We are committed to providing the best service to Woodridge residents. 

Understanding that the financial pressures facing the Village co-exist with financial pressures we are all faced with at home, the Village Board will adopt a tax levy on December 3 that will decrease the Village property tax rate for the 24th consecutive year.  Additionally, construction of the two planned major capital projects, the Police Building Expansion and the Pedestrian Bridge over Route 53, will be deferred until the Village’s financial forecast is stronger.  Click here to read the full story.

The Village Board will hold a Goal Setting Workshop on Thursday, November 5.  This workshop helps to set the direction for the Five Year Plan and the upcoming budget process.  It also marks the halfway point in the Village’s fiscal year which began on May 1.  Woodridge, like all communities, has been significantly impacted by the severely reduced predictions in State shared revenue sources, along with decreased Sales Tax revenues and natural gas tax revenues.  Based on this revised information, revenues are projected to fall $2,600,000 short of estimates.  Village officials are currently examining expenditure projections and identifying ways in which to reduce expenditures.  This involves both updating the projections so that they incorporate actual cost savings incurred to date and making recommendations on changes to planned operating and capital expenditures.

Staff at all levels are examining opportunities to reduce cost, assessing revenue sources, reviewing projects that could be deferred, and considering options for providing service through more cost effective means.  Throughout the process the focus will be better aligning expenses with projected revenue amounts while at the same time striving to maintain Woodridge’s high level of service to the community.  Regular updates on the progress of this financial balancing process will be shared with the community. 

Woodridge’s annual Town Meeting is an opportunity for members of the Woodridge community to determine the Village’s priorities in an effort to ensure that we achieve our shared community vision.  Last evening over 150 community members gathered at Bobak’s Signature Room at Seven Bridges to listen to a presentation from the Mayor recounting achievements on priorities from throughout the course of the year. 

About 100 people stayed on to evaluate the extent to which priorities developed over the last several years have been implemented.  Participants assessed how the Village has achieved key priorities and suggest improvements.

On September 3, 2009, the plaza outside of Village Hall was dedicated as the Joel and Laurie Kagann Plaza.  Many people were in attendance at the dedication ceremony as Mayor Murphy read the resolution naming the plaza.  The Mayor shared some kind words about Mr. and Mrs. Kagann, and recounted their many years of public service.  Being then introduced by their son, Joe Kagann, a Village Trustee, Joel and Laurie shared their memories of the community and fondness for people and places that have made Woodridge their home.  A plaque with the new name of the plaza was unveiled during the ceremony and is on display at the southern end of the plaza. Click here for photos.

The Village of Woodridge and the Woodridge Area Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to  launch the Shop Local Shop Woodridge campaign. Its goal is to raise awareness and to educate consumers of the importance of shopping and buying at Woodridge businesses. Encouraging the Shop Local Shop Woodridge campaign is intended to increase patronage at local businesses, and also to educate consumers that when money is spent at local stores, a portion stays in the local economy to help retain our vibrant community. For more information on the Shop Local Shop Woodridge campaign, click here.

The Village of Woodridge has begun its annual Community Needs Survey process.  The purpose of this survey is to gather resident input on Village services and programs.  Each year, the Village randomly selects a sample of 1,200 residents to complete the survey.  Residents selected as part of the 1,200 person sample will receive a letter with a participation code.  Residents selected as a part of the sample are encouraged to complete the survey in order to make their voices heard and to take part in the annual strategic planning process.  Surveys are available electronically or as a hard copy.  Surveys are due back to Village Hall by August 7, 2009.

The Village of Woodridge recently learned of its success in being awarded over half a million dollars to go towards the reconstruction of Janes Avenue.  The grant funding will be awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or what is commonly referred to as the Economic Stimulus bill.  “We’re very happy to receive this funding,” said Mayor Murphy, “the Village constantly looks for outside funding sources that can be used to benefit the citizens of Woodridge.  We are glad for the improvement to the road this funding will bring, as well as the work it will generate for the local economy.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Murphy and the Village Board voted to reduce the Village of Woodridge’s property tax rate for the 23rd consecutive year.  With the recent mailing of property tax bills, many people have wondered why their assessment and tax bill has increased while the Village’s rate and the value of their home has decreased.  To understand this, it is important to know that assessments are conducted by the county assessor’s office.  The assessment they perform is based on property sales data from the previous three years.  This means that your current assessment (2008 Property Tax Bill) includes property sales data from 2005, when housing values were at an all-time high.