Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Finance Committee met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Meeting called to order at 4:02 PM by Trustee Randy King (filled in for Trustee Rick Fischer)

1. Meeting Opening

Procedural: A. Roll Call - Trustee Randy King

Members present: Mayor Jeff Keast, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jack Littrell, Trustee Angie Serafini, and Trustee Craig Toepfer. Also in attendance: Attorney Pat Dunn, Administrator Michael Van Mill, Clerk Brian Simeur, Assistant Administrator Laurie Cyr, Finance Director Tara Latz, Interim Police Chief Jason Sztuba, Public Works Assistant Superintendent Frank Triveline, Engineer Mike Gingerich, Human Resource Manager Sue Pranskus, Assistant Finance Director Holly St. Germaine, Deputy Clerk Margie Beach, and Executive Administrative Assistant Jessica Spry. Absent: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, and Treasurer Ron Riebe.

2. Review and Approve Committee Minutes

Action, Minutes: A. Finance Committee Minutes from May 14, 2025

Motion by Trustee Angie Serafini, second by Trustee Craig Toepfer to approve the Finance Committee minutes from May 14, 2025 as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jack Littrell, Trustee Angie Serafini, and Trustee Craig Toepfer.

3. Bill Lists

Accounts Payable: A. General Fund

>Questions were discussed and answered by Mrs. Latz.

>Trustee Littrell asked about the ice rink-purchase of 2 more skate aids. Mrs. Latz responded these will be for the 2025/2026 ice rink season assisting children with skating.

>Trustee King stated that the electric bill at Slater Field is higher than normal. This is due to the field being in use for the season. All invoices are currently paid and up to date with the Village of Bourbonnais and the BB Little League Program.

>Trustee King stated that under Capital Expenditures, there are a few expenses related to Safety Town as we repurpose the building to finish the Campus build out.

The General Fund bill list was reviewed and the Finance Committee agreed to proceed with payment of the bills at the next Regular Board meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Accounts Payable: B. Special Fund

The Special Fund bill list was reviewed and the Finance Committee agreed to proceed with payment of the bills at the next Regular Board meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025.

4. Other Business

Discussion: A. Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Donation Update

>Mrs. Latz gave an overview a letter from Tyjuan Hagler Foundation stating that the youth camp will be cancelled for this summer due to the Bishop McNamara football field being renovated. The letter also stated donations can be repurposed to The Car Trunk-a-thon school give away in August or request a refund.

Finance committee agrees to have donation repurposed to The Car Trunk-a-thon.

Discussion: B. Marlene Rittmanic Memorial Golf Outing Sponsorship Request

>Mrs. Latz discussed the golf outing sponsorship request. Mayor Keast suggested doing a Badge Level Sponsorship for $500. Trustee King stated that the Village of Bourbonnais logo will be listed on the golf outing Facebook page, banner, sign on a Hole and back of a T Shirt.

Finance committee agrees to sponsor the Marlene Rittmanic Memorial Fundraiser at the Badge level donation.

Discussion: C. Kankakee Federation of Labor Charity Golf Outing Sponsorship Request

>Trustee King stated this takes place during the Friendship Festival weekend.

>Trustee Littrell suggested anyone interested in participating could attend on behalf of the Village of Bourbonnais, but would donate on their own.

Finance committee agrees to decline the sponsorship request at this time.

Discussion: D. Good Shepherd Manor Annual Golf Outing Sponsorship Request >Mrs. Latz stated that we have received a sponsorship request for Good Shepherd Manor, we have not participated at this golf outing in the past.

Finance committee agrees to decline the sponsorship request at this time.

Discussion: E. Kankakee Holiday Tournament Sponsorship Request

>Mrs. Latz stated that we received a sponsorship request for Kankakee Holiday Tournament, we have not donated to this sponsorship request in the past.

Finance Committee agrees to decline the sponsorship request at this time.

Discussion: F. Grove Rental Policy Discussion

>Mrs. Latz stated that they need more time to develop this policy, and discussion will occur at a future meeting.

5. Old Business

Discussion: A. Discussion of Sales & Grocery Tax Model Ordinances

>Mrs. Latz stated as requested at the last Finance meeting to continue a discussion on the Grocery Tax. This Grocery tax is a replacement of what will be removed by the State of Illinois as of January 1, 2026. Legislation has been drafted by Attorney Dunn. The approved legislation will need to be filed with the IL Department of Revenue by October 1, 2025 to be in effect for January 1, 2026.

>Mr. Van Mill stated that close to 200 other communities in the state have passed this tax. There would be an estimated loss of $750,000 annually to the Village of Bourbonnais if we did not pass this.

>Mrs. Latz clarified that the State of Illinois would not be taking a fee on collecting this tax for municipalities.

Finance committee agrees to move forward and legislation will be created for the Grocery Tax for the June 2, 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

>Mrs. Latz stated as requested at the last Finance meeting to continue the discussion regarding the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax. The soonest we could implement this tax would be January 1, 2026. To take action, legislation would need to be filed with the IL Department of Revenue by October 1, 2025. This tax will not apply to groceries, prescriptions, or titled goods, but would apply to retail and online purchases.

>Mayor Keast said this puts us at the same sales tax amount as Kankakee and Bradley.

>Mrs. Latz read off 20 other communities that have this tax in a 60 mile radius.

>Trustee Serafini asked for clarification of when we would start the process of rebating Village of Bourbonnais's residents their Village portion of the real estate tax bill.

>Mrs. Latz explained the development of a rebate program is in the beginning stages and details such as application, timing window, disbursement process, etc will be discussed soon. This tax will also allow us to cover our capital expenses easier.

>Trustee Toepfer stated that other communities are benefitting from our residences paying a higher sales tax in their communities at their retail stores. Communication to the residents explaining the benefits, impact, and importance will help this tax be better received.

Finance Committee agrees to move forward regarding the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax and legislation will be created for the June 2, 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

6. New Business

Information: A. Interview of Prospective Clerk

>Trustee King read the description of the duties for a Village Clerk.

>Mayor Keast introduced prospective candidate for Village Clerk Chad Meents to the Board. There will be a vacant seat as of June 30, 2025.

>Mr. Meents gave an overview of himself stating that he has lived in the community since 2016. He has also served for 25 years in the American Legion with Boys State. Mr. Meents has a background in training employees in his current position with CSL Behring. This experience can help him in this position and effectively serve the Village of Bourbonnais.

>Mr. Van Mill asked if this will conflict with his current work schedule. Mr. Meents stated that in his current position he has a flexible schedule.

Finance Committee will discuss this appointment to Clerk during Executive Session tonight.

7. Public Comments - None

8. Executive Session

Action, Procedural: A. Enter into Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Craig Toepfer to enter into Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) at 5:03 PM Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jack Littrell, Trustee Angie Serafini, and Trustee Craig Toepfer. Action, Procedural: B. Return to the Finance Committee Meeting

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Craig Toepfer to return to the Finance Committee Meeting at 5:25 PM

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jack Littrell, Trustee Angie Serafini, and Trustee Craig Toepfer.

10. Adjournment and Time

Action, Procedural: A. Adjournment & Time

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Craig Toepfer to adjourn the Finance Meeting at 5:25 PM.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jack Littrell, Trustee Angie Serafini, and Trustee Craig Toepfer.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/vobil/Board.nsf/files/DH6RLF6E795C/$file/2025-05-28%20Finance%20Minutes%20Ready%20for%20Approval.pdf