Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Administration Committee met March 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Meeting Opening

Procedural: A. Call to Order

Bourbonnais Elementary School Board President Jayne Raef called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.

Procedural: B. Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Bourbonnais Elementary School Board President Jayne Raef

Procedural: C. Roll Call

Members present: Mayor Paul Schore, Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini. Also in attendance Administrator Mike Van Mill, Assistant Administrator Laurie Cyr, Finance Director Tara Latz, Marketing Manager Lindy Casey, Public Works Superintendent Terry Memenga and Admin Assistant Margie Beach

2. New Business

A. Public Comments - None

Information: B. Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 Update

Presentation given by Superintendent Dr. Adam Ehrman:

> Demographic Data Change - not much change in population since 2018, low income numbers for 2022 were at 44.4%, he feels these numbers are inaccurate due to lunches being free during COVID when meals were free for all students and families didn't fill out forms for qualification.

> Transportation - 80% of students are transported (1,900) to and from school, the schools still have a shortage of bus drivers, they have to stagger there start and finish times for 5 schools. Dr. Ehrman stated his appreciation when the Village communicates on road closures. He is looking forward to getting more walking paths put in on Village property to help with walkers and bike riders.

> Revenue 2021 - Illinois School Report Cards shows 55% comes from local property taxes, they cannot exceed the increase in CPI or 5% whichever is less. FY23 Total Revenue - $30.3M - broken out by Property taxes $17.5M - 58%, Evidenced Based Funding "EBF" $8.6M - 28%, Federal & State taxes $3.6M - 12%, and other funding $0.6M - 2%.

> Expenditures 2021 - $30.7M - the Adequacy Target is the sum of all of the educational cost factors as calculated for each individual district multiplied by the regionalization factor that measures regional variations in salaries. BESD #53 Adequacy Target is 63%, but should have been at 100%. Since BESD #53 is at a Tier 1 level - they have the lowest funded EBF. EBF final resources received were $19,218,080, they are underfunded 1/3 from Illinois which equals $11.3M each year.

> EBF Funding Facts - in the Kankakee County area Bourbonnais is the lowest funded for FY 2023, they are the 2nd largest school district in this county. Even though they have been underfunded all schools are commendable despite lack of funding.

> School Principals from LeVasseur, Alan Shepard, Shabbona, Liberty, and Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center gave an overview of what they do in regard to class room activities and community.

Information: C. Discussion of School Resource Officer / DARE

> Presentation given by School Resource Officer "SRO" Travis Garcia on the SRO & DARE programs.

> Officer Garcia has been a SRO for the past 7 years, he has been in charge of implementing law enforcement drills, and programs such as Stepping into the Classrooms, Humanize the Badge, Having Fun with Lessons, and has built long lasting connections with students by building trust naturally since they are able to see the Police outside of the uniform.

> DARE Graduation will be held next Thursday, March 16 at BUGC. This program helps builds connections with students and communities, there will be 250 students who will graduate the DARE program.

> Officer Garcia's last year, and Officer Andy Cox will be taking over next school year.

Information: D. Village of Bourbonnais Update

> Mayor Schore thanked Officer Garcia for being part of the DARE program and committing 7 years as the District's SRO.

Presentation given Village President Paul Schore on:

> Village Government - Consists of a Mayor, 6 Trustees, 5 Department Heads and 60 Employees

> Critical Services the Village offers - Public Safety, Public Works, Finance Department, Building Department & Code Enforcement, Community Development, Marketing & Public Engagement, and Economic Development. Cost to resident homeowners who have a property valued at $200,000 pays approximately $300/year for these services which amounts to 4.5% of their property tax that goes to the Village of Bourbonnais.

> A Trivia Game was played with the School District staff - prizes were awarded.

> Village Accolades: 7th Healthiest housing market in Illinois, rated #34 of 222 best places to raise a family in Illinois, #1 place to live in Kankakee County, and rated the 38th safest city in Illinois.

Trustee Serafini left the meeting at 6:15 PM

Community Campus:

Assistant Administrator Laurie Cyr gave a presentation on the new Village Green Campus plan which is coming in 2024.

Village Development:

Administrator Mike Van Mill went over Village Fiduciary Responsibilities:

> $13.5M investment account

> Eliminated $16M in debt over the past 2 years

> Major Village investments being paid by alternative revenue sources other than property tax

> Growth continues over the last 7 years

> Village employment has remained steady over the past 5 years

> Revenue sources for operations are keeping pace with residential demands

> Both growth and meeting resident's demands are being met with strategic staffing levels

>Equalized assessed value for housing continues to increase

> Housing trends - new multifamily construction, new multifamily under consideration, new single family construction in multiple subdivisions, continued new build incentive program - deferred building permit fees.

Public Works:

Superintendent Terry Memenga gave a presentation on the sidewalk improvement from Patriot Lane over to Liberty School and Burns Road up to Diamond Point Park

> Route 102 rework is happening - new signals, pipes installed for drainage, and will begin mill and rebuild roads into the Village

> Career Center re-work projects consists of widening the roads, with longer turn lanes

> Snow removal safety procedures

Information: E. Discussion of Topics of Mutual Interest - None

3. Adjournment and Time

Action, Procedural: A. Adjournment Time

Motion was made by BESD #53 Board Members to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 PM

Final Resolution: Motion carried

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/vobil/Board.nsf/files/CQ6SEU720635/$file/2023-03-07%20-%20Administration%20Meeting%20Minutes%20for%20Approval.pdf