Village Board Approves Budget.
Raises Water and
Sewage Rates...
by Josh Van Dyke
At its May 2nd meeting the Wauconda Village board approved the 2009-2010 fiscal budget as well as addressed water rate changes. The budget, which is balanced with cash reserves, met some controversy. Trustee Jean Mayo addressed concerns that the village board did not do an adequate job of investigating the budget. My concern is that as a board, we probably didn't dig as deep as we should," Mayo said, mentioning specific issues such as the number of vehicles the village is providing to staff members during the same time period as layoffs. Mayo also brought up the notion of the board members reducing or eliminating their salary for a year. "I can't sit here and ask the staff to make concessions without making some myself," Mayo added. She was the sole board member to vote "no" for passing the budget. The village board also approved an amendment to an ordinance that will increase the water and sewage rates starting July 1, 2009. Residential water and sewage rates for the first 6000 gallons will be set at $25.23 and $29.71, respectively. The previous rates for residential water and sewage were $22.94 and $$27.01. Village Administrator and Superintendent of Police Daniel E. Quick brought up the possibility of
Wauconda applying for a grant from the Regional Transportation Authority. The grant will provide a grand total of $100,000, with 20%, in other words $20,000 going to the village of Wauconda. The money would be put towards a study on expanding transportation options within the Wauconda area that would take advantage of the community's position in the center of RTA service routes. Currently Wauconda is not connected to RTA routes by any public service.
Two issues not on the agenda were brought up by attending members of the public. Wauconda resident Jerri Lubeno mentioned that receiving a towing bill for $385 prompted her to look into prices at nearby areas, saying that "two companies laughed at me" due to the high price. In response to her asking the board whether there is anything that could be done to lower the rates, Administrator Quick mentioned that they could not dictate what the tow company currently under contract with the village charged. However, he said he had heard previous complaints about high tow charges and was meeting with another company, Sharpe Towing (owned by the same family that owns Sharpe Autobody), soon to discuss a possible change in contracts.
The other inquiry came from Winifred Courtland, who lives on a street near where Wauconda Fest is held. She said that in previous years she has had to remove paintings from her walls for fear that vibrations would make them fall, and that she and her husband had a difficult time sleeping during the events due to noise. "Do you have to play Metallica as loud as you can at 11:45 at night?" she asked, jokingly adding that she wasn't sure the music needed to be loud enough for Island Lake and McHenry to hear. Village Attorney Rudy Magna acknowledged that Wauconda's noise ordinance is suspended for the event, while Administrator Quick said that the Wauconda Fest committee is separate from the village board. However several members are in both organizations, and it was suggested that sound equipment angles could possibly be changed and that the issue would be taken into consideration.
The village board also announced the creation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, which will consult the Economic Development department.
Josh Van Dyke can be contacted at josh@waucondanews.com or 224-374-4947
SIDEBAR OR ADDITIONAL SECTION
Find out more: see the Wauconda Code of Ordinances at http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/wauconda_il/villageofwaucondaillinoiscodeofordinance?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:wauconda_il