City of Countryside Finance Committee met Feb. 11
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Committee Members
Chairman: John Finn Treasurer: Courtney Bolt
Alderman: Thomas Mikolyzk
Alderman: Thomas Frohlich
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Roll Call
Those physically present were as follows:
Present: Chairman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Frohlich, and Treasurer Bolt
Also Present: Mayor McDermott, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Musillami, City Clerk Kmet, City Administrator Paul, Finance Director Schutter, Deputy Clerk Cordova, and Superintendent of Public Works Serna
3. Communications from the Public
None.
4. Approval of Minutes
4.a. The minutes of the Regular Finance Committee Meeting of November 12, 2025 were previously distributed to the Board Members. There being no changes, the minutes of November 12, 2025 were approved as presented.
A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk to approve the Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2025, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and carried unanimously.
5. Business from the Committee for discussion, consideration and if so determined, action upon:
5.a. Consideration to Approve the Monthly Treasurer’s Report for the Period Ended October 31, 2025.
All information was discussed previously under the period ending December 31, 2025.
Chairman Finn asked for a motion to approve the monthly treasurer’s report for the period ending October 31, 2025.
Alderman Mikolyzk made the motion to approve the treasurer’s report for the period ending October 31, 2025, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and carried unanimously.
5.b. Consideration to Approve the Monthly Treasurer’s Report for the Period Ended November 30, 2025.
All information was discussed previously under the period ending December 31, 2025.
Chairman Finn asked for a motion to approve the monthly treasurer’s report for the period ending November 30, 2025.
Alderman Mikolyzk made the motion to approve the treasurer’s report for the period ending November 30, 2025, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and carried unanimously.
5.c. Consideration to Approve the Monthly Treasurer’s Report for the Period Ended December 31, 2025.
Finance Director Schutter stated that December’s financial statement reflects a positive revenue variance of just under $674K. This result was primarily impacted by positive variances in sales tax ($652K), investment income ($133K), grant revenue ($48K), Flagg Creek profit sharing distributions ($25K), and fees in lieu of taxes ($13K). These positive variances were partially offset by negative variances in vehicle fuel taxes ($269K), state use taxes ($46K), self-storage tax ($20K), and franchise tax ($17K). Sales taxes are trending up while use taxes have underperformed the budget as the “Level the Playing Field” legislation is now being fully implemented. The result is higher local sales tax collections from out of state retailers previously charged as a use tax. Local sales taxes are expected to grow at a higher rate than the decline is use taxes as that tax was previously allocated on the basis of per capita population.
Expenses are trending at about $462K under budget for the first eight months. Notable variances include the Public Works Department which was under budget by $206K, the Police Department which was under budget by $135K, and the Administrative Department which was under budget by $99K. The positive variances were due to lower personnel, maintenance, contractual, and supply costs. The majority of the remaining Departments were under budget by $5 – $15K. The general fund is showing a positive surplus variance of just over $1.1 million the first eight months of the fiscal year.
For the Capital Projects Fund, the City collected just under $27K in grant income from the Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board to purchase our in-car and body camera systems which were expensed this year as well.
Capital Fund expenditures also include the payment of an invoice for our local share of construction costs on the IDOT 55th Street Improvement Project, construction and engineering costs on the Larry Robb Park, the purchase of a new grapple truck for Public Works and the replacement of the Chief’s administrative vehicle.
Chairman Finn asked for a motion to approve the monthly treasurer’s report for the period ending December 31, 2025.
Alderman Mikolyzk made the motion to approve the treasurer’s report for the period ending December 31, 2025, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and carried unanimously.
5.d. Consideration of a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Non-Union Employees in the Amount of 3.25% Effective on 5/1/2026.
Finance Director Schutter stated that historically we talk about this at the Human Resources Committee meeting. For the purpose of the this budget we brought it to the Finance Department meeting for direction from the committee. We’d like to put an appropriate number in the budget for 2027. The City utilizes the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Data Series. The Annual Average change in CPI-U for this series was 3.1% for calendar year 2025. The key item this year is health costs which at best would increase to 18%. The FOP Sergeant and FOP Patrol Officers are at 3.25%, Public Works is at 3.00%. We are requesting a 3.25% increase for all non-union employees.
Chairman Finn asked for a motion for a cost of living adjustment for non-union employees in the amount of 3.25% effective 5/1/26.
Alderman Mikolyzk made a motion for the non-union employees to receive a 3.25% cost of living adjustment effective 5/1/26, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and carries unanimously.
6. Other Committee Business.
None.
7. Adjournment.
Chairman Finn asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Alderman Mikolyzk motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Frohlich and motioned carried unanimously.
Chairman Finn declared the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
https://www.countryside-il.org/Document/Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2026/Finance%20Committee/02-11-26%20Finance%20Minutes%20(1).docx?t=202602261115060
