FINANCE COMMITTEE 2021/04/19 Minutes
The City of Lake Forest
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Proceedings of the April 19, 2021 Meeting
6:30 p. m. – Remote Access Meeting
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Chairman Morris. Present: Chairman Morris,
Mayor Pandaleon, Aldermen Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and
Weber. Absent: None. Quorum present. There were approximately 17 present in the audience.
Staff present: Jason Wicha, City Manager; Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director; Diane Hall, Assistant
Finance Director; Cathy Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Jim Shaw, Director of
Innovation Technology; Peter Siebert, Fire Chief; DeSha Kalmar, Director of Human Resource; Mike
Strong, Assistant City Manager; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; Dan
Martin, Superintendent of Public Works and Kurt Asprooth, City Attorney
Others present: There were approximately 6 people in the audience.
II. Consideration of Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting Held on March 8, 2021
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the minutes from the Finance Committee meeting
held on March 8, 2021. The motion was seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. The motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.
III. Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2022
James Morris, Finance Committee Chairman provided opening comments on the budget process
and the information included in the budget document.
Ms. Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director stated a formal presentation would be presented at the
City Council meeting. She stated the draft budget has been on the City’s website for the public
to view. She stated included in the packet was a summary of changes since the March 8 budget
meeting.
Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to approve the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2022. The
motion was seconded by Alderman Karras. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
IV. Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance for FY2021
Ms. Holleb stated in addition to the budget, the City Council approves an appropriation
ordinance at the July meeting. She stated this document provides the legal spending level,
which includes a 10% contingency for unforeseeable expenses. Part of the budget process is to
provide projected expenditures for the current fiscal year to identify unanticipated expenses.
Staff is requesting approval of supplemental appropriations for two funds. The Laurel/Western
Redevelopment (TIF) Fund received property tax increment exceeding revenue projections. She
stated this will increase the required payments to School Districts 67/115. The Water and Sewer
Capital Fund incurred additional main break repairs and the City Council will consider the
acquisition of property, which is not budgeted.
The Committee discussed the reassessment of the TIF District after the sale of the apartments. The
City has been in communication with the Assessor’s office. The sale will not be reflected until the
2021 levy to be collected in 2022.
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the supplemental appropriation ordinance. The
motion was seconded by Alderman Weber. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – April 19, 2021
V. Purchasing Policy Review
Ms. Holleb stated in FY2020, a committee was formed with representation of all departments to
provide a comprehensive review of the City’s purchasing policy. This was approved by the City
Council in April 2020. The policy requires an annual review by the Finance Committee. She
stated staff is not recommending changes for FY2022. She stated Alderman Buschmann raised a
question related to competitive bidding. Staff discussed the question and determined revised
language was not required.
The Committee discussed contracts for projects are not always awarded to the lowest bidder.
The purchasing policy does provide language to address these situations.
Alderman Notz made a motion to approve the purchasing policy. The motion was seconded by
Alderman Weber. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
VI. Other Business
1) March 2021 Flash Report – Ms. Holleb stated the March Flash Report includes a comparison to
budget and to estimates. She stated Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) sales are increasing
again.
The Committee requested information on how we are comparing to other communities for
RETT sales.
2) Investment Policy Review
The Committee discussed the return on investments and how the City is restricted in types of
investments we can purchase.
Ms. Holleb stated the City has a very good relationship with Lake Forest Bank and Trust and
receives a very good interest rate. If the City were to purchase CD’s, the City would need to
commit for at least three years.
The Committee discussed the investment policy states the City is limited to no more than 35%
of our investments in one financial institution. This restriction is for investment types, such as
CD’s.
VII. Opportunity for the Public to Address the Finance Committee
Chairman Morris provided instructions to the Public to provide comment.
No one from the audience desired to address the Finance Committee.
VIII. Adjournment
There being no further business, Alderman Notz moved, seconded by Alderman Rummel, to
adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Hall
Assistant Finance Director