More than ever, the local cop, firefighter or emergency responder may not be from the neighborhood.
A Better Government Association investigation finds municipal budget shortfalls are forcing a growing segment of Northern Illinois suburbs to consider what was once unthinkable: Merging basic hometown public safety operations with neighboring or regional governments, such as the county sheriff’s departments.
Read more of the Better Government Association’s recent article here.
Excellent read and most relevant to BH. With a stagnant tax base coupled with ongoing declining real estate values which many believe in time will get worse; BH has a police pension which is only 47% funded (discounted to the present value). This translates to a pension debt obligation for the approximate 1,500 BH households between 6.5 and 10 Million Dollars. This, on a fund which assumes a 6.5% annual rate of return on pension monies which by law for the most part can only be invested in fixed rate of return commercial paper and risk averse stocks, bonds etc.
The BH Police Pension fund is currently funded below the State of IL pension fund which is 72% funded. In 2012, Cook Country Treasurer Maria Pappas came out with a statement that the BH Pension debt obligation stood at approximately 6.5 Million Dollars.
BH tax payers are contributing $750,000 annually into the Police Pension fund, an increase of more than $500,000 annually from the time this pension fund was first transferred from State (IL) to BH in 2004 via Village referendum. Annual contribution to the Police Pension fund represents about 9% of the Village’s total expenditures each year and does not include BH’s annual contribution to the IL State IMRF pension fund for its employees. (Remember this 9% is based on approximately 8 Million Dollars of annual BH Village Gov’t spending which many like me believe is excessive)
2004 BH Board members proposing the transfer of the State managed police pension fund to a BH Village managed plan said this would be a non-event costing BH Village tax payers not a penny more. In a sad way, they were right; it is costing BH residents not pennies more, but millions more.
In the next few months, BH Village government will be formulating its budget and voting on a levy for 2014. Consider attending these meetings and making your voice be heard. This is your money and you should be heard on how you believe it should or should not be spent. The 2014 proposed levy and 2014 Village budget will shortly be posted on the Village’s website.
First, allegations were made that Mr. Stieper’s campaign comments regarding financial issues were inaccurate, Is anyone out there able to dispute these numbers?
The BGA article is important to the residents of the Village and should cause the Trustees to ACT. It was too easy for the past administration under Abboud and the Safety committee under Gohl to keep “rubber stamping” budgets for increases in police spending without any scrutiny or dialogue.
Without question, we desire to have the best possible safety and security for our Village, but not regardless of cost. We can’t compromise safety. Our police have unionized under Abboud’s watch and we must honor our obligations. However, it’s time to start thinking “out of the box” about better ways to balance needed safety standards with best practices and costs.
Vehicles, number of police needed, ability to outsource certain functions, intergovernmental agreements to support, etc. all need exploration. It’s time for President McLaughlin to raise the expectations and demand of our Village Administrator (Kosin) and Fritz Gohl to come up with a plan that more effectively (safety and cost) manages our police department needs. In particular, if we can’t expect our Village Administrator to be able to do his/her job for this type of management – we need to find a new one!
The out of control spending of the last administration has reared it’s ugly head. Kosin’s effectiveness and priorities have long ago disappeared. His removal is long overdue.
Nick and Nora, B. Kosin does not set the priorities or approve the expenses.
donato – I didn’t say he did – but he does misrepresent the facts, change the language in foia requests and falsify records – this is enough to have him removed whatever his reasoning. Kosin owes and answers to the residents who pay his salary – not the administration in charge.
I do not know about the exactness of D. Stieper’s numbers but he is correct in the many facts contained in his statement. Whoever advised the citizens of VBH to vote to take over an very badly underfunded pension plan gave very BAD advise, whether on the VBH board or not. As I understand it the pension fund in question came to VBH with only the prior contributions of the Police Officers; nothing or almost nothing from anyone else. I believe this to be a true statement or I have been misinformed by a member of our Pension committee. Our current Village Board needs to look into the pension situation and in an up coming quarterly news letter to all Village Residents explain exactly how they decide to spend our tax dollars. Is the annual $750,000 expense just what is needed to avoid underfunding during the next 20 years? Or are the current TAXPAYERS being asked to pay more in an overly cautious attitude. We the current TAXPAYERS should be paying just what is NECESSARY to avoid underfunding for some future period, say 20yrs, and not more for if you pay more the necessary you are paying some other taxpayers obligation. Let all see the computation in all its detail.
David Steiper’s command of the facts is better than mine. I am inclined to believe his facts. However, I think he could do better service to our community if he would distinguish between probable past errors (2004 VBH Board and referendum actions) from suggested VBH Board actions for 2014.
David Steiper seems to be raising issues about VBH Administrative staff. Why? The past elected leaders have been heavily criticized by Mr. Steiper. in the absence of more facts, it looks to me like Mr. Steiper is scapegoating our paid staff for real or imagined sins of we citizens and our elected leaders.
Can he offer some specific suggestions for Trustee actions in the future.
Can he delineate more clearly what he would like for our administrative staff to be doing. And, if staff performs as Mr. Steiper wants, will they be fired every time the elected leadership changes?
Nick & Nora,
Regarding our VBH Staff: What misrepresentations?
What was falsified and when and how?
When you prepare a resume, you are expected to polish it a little. So you minimize your weaknesses and put a shine on your accomplishments. This is acceptable and even expected. However, full fledged lying is never acceptable. Likewise, when you work as a team (or are the Administrator for a team) you are expected to be a team player and to be loyal. That could entail a little “spin” and shinning the brass so it shines so bright as to put a shadow on defects. You and I may be justified in not liking the “spin”; however, this should be distinguished from a lie.
A lie is an evil thing. An Administrator should quit before caving under pressure to lie. And the officials putting on that pressure should be removed from office.
So, Nick and Nora, was our VBH professional Administrator being a team player for a team you disapprove of or did he cave to pressure from corrupt officials and out and out lie?
If you have only borderline indications of our Administrator’s “misdirection” and lack of the fullest possible disclosure that you had hoped for, then the proper course is to watch our VBH staff more closely in the future. On the other hand if you have facts that support a contention that anyone, elected volunteer or paid staff knowingly and deliberately lied, then your duty is to bring forth all of this information. And, if I am sure enough of the facts, I will help you.
Nick & Nora, it is important to be moderate on your criticism unless you are willing to offer up the proof. I don’t know the facts. I would like to know them. However, what I regularly see here on this blog are folks blowing off steam and making accusations without supporting evidence. I suspect some of the accusations are justified. The frustration is the lack of specific facts and evidence.
Jan C Goss – in answer to your tedious response – all documentation and information is/was given to the AG. Your condescending tone is noted and I hardly needed your ‘direction’ as to my posts. This village is divided into two main factions – and one of them is so viscous and mean spirited anyone would be a fool to expose themselves. The gossip and lies from the last election should be enough documentation. All I can say to you – open your eyes – you’ll see what is happening. That is if you can remain objective enough.