Board of Trustees — Skokie, IL
Date: 2026-04-13

REVISED

 Village of Skokie
 FY27 Budget Hearings
 Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street
 Conference Room D & E

 MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 - 6:15 PM

 Municipal Finances 101 and Budget Overview
 Review of Budgets:
 Board of Trustees/Liquor Control Commission
 Village Clerk
 Corporation Counsel
 Finance Department
 Public Comment
 Closed Session (Wage & Benefit):
 Pursuant to Section 2, Paragraph C.2 of the State of Illinois Open Meetings Act,
 a closed session is requested to discuss wage & benefit of all Village employees
 and to adjourn therefrom.


 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 – 6:15 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Administration
 Police Department
 Board of Fire & Police Commission
 Public Works/Capital Improvement Program
 Public Comment


 REVISED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026 – 7:00 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Fire Department
 Community Development
 Economic Vitality/TIF
 Health and Human Services
 Public Comment


 MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026 - 6:15 PM

 Review of Budgets:
 Boards and Commissions
 Performing Arts Center
 Grant Programming
 Public Comments

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Village of Skokie Board of Trustees
Budget Hearing #1 Meeting Minutes
April 13, 2026 | 6:15 p.m.
Conference Room D & E or Village of Skokie YouTube Channel
5127 Oakton St., Skokie, IL 60077

The Village’s FY27 Proposed Budget and Budget Message, a detailed summary of the budget,
are available for review on the Village’s website, www.skokie.org/budget. Annually, the Village
Board reviews the budget at four public budget hearings. These hearings are open to the public
and also are streamed live and archived on the Village’s YouTube channel.

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tennes.

Roll Call/Declaration of Quorum
In attendance: Trustees Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Schechter, Robinson and Mayor
Tennes. Also present was Deputy Corporation Counsel, Barb Mangler, Village Clerk Minal Desai,
Village Manager, John Lockerby, Finance Director, Julian Prendi and Assistant to the Village
Manager, Alex Franz.

Not in Attendance: Trustee Pure Slovin.

Municipal Finances 101 and Budget Overview
Village Manager John Lockerby presented the FY27 Budget Overview. During the overview of
the strategic goal action items, Mayor Tennes asked if the Next Generation 911 system would
allow text messaging. John explained that it would. Finance Director Julian Prendi then
presented a Municipal Finance Overview. Trustee Iverson asked if money in special funds can
be transferred to the general fund. Julian explained that they could but it is not Village practice.
Trustee Lissa Levy asked about the impact of reverting police and fire pensions to tier 1. Julian
explained that it would have a significant impact on Village finances. Mayor Tennes inquired on
how membership of the Fire and Police Pension Boards is established. Julian explained that it is
set by state statute. Trustee Schechter requested updates on the Villages fund reserves and an
excess fund reserve policy. Mayor Tennes expressed her support for an excess fund reserve
policy and Trustee Lissa Levy suggested tying excess reserves with participatory budgeting. John
Lockerby explained the flexibility that the Village’s current policy allows during economic
shortfalls. Julian explained that staff will research excess reserve policies. Mayor Tennes and
Trustee Schechter expressed their support for raising the percentage of the fund balance policy.
Julian Prendi presented an overview of the FY27 Revenues. Trustee Lissa Levy asked if the
additional tax revenues that were collected as a result of the federal tariffs would have to be
returned. Julian explained that they would not. Trustee Schechter asked about the Old Orchard
Business District tax. John noted that there is an agreement that would terminate the district



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when funding goals are reached. Trustee Iverson noted his support for conservative financial
policies. Trustee Schechter asked for an analysis on how much the Skokie economy would have
to grow to meet the growing economic shortfalls in the general fund. Mayor Tennes inquired
on the process for changing the reserve policy. John said that staff would prepare a memo
analyzing an increased reserve policy. In regards to the water rate, Mayor Tennes inquired on
the percentage increase of future year water rates. Julian explained that similar increases to
FY27 are projected.

John Lockerby presented an overview of the FY27 Proposed Expenditures. Mayor Tennes asked
how the $50,000 contingency budget is used. John explained that he will provide a report.
Trustee Iverson noted the large health insurance increase and asked if it was expected. Julian
explained that it was and is largely the result of prescription drug costs. Mayor Tennes asked
about the downtown parking garage and John explained its funding structure and use. In
response to the two new strategic enhancements, Trustee Lissa Levy asked what days the
fourth ambulance peak hours program would be in effect. John explained that Fire Chief
Eschner will explain the program in greater detail during his budget presentation. Trustee
Iverson ask if the proposed revenue enhancements were sufficient to cover the new
expenditures. Julian explained that they were. Trustee Schechter asked about the refuse fee
and Mayor Tennes asked about a yard waste sticker fee. John provided a background on both.
Mayor Tennes expressed her support with adding a credit card fee pass-through. Mayor Tennes
noted that video gambling will be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting in June.
Trustee Schechter inquired on establishing a special service area for the downtown area. Mayor
Tennes noted the upcoming Economic Vitality Study which could include an analysis on a
special service area. Trustee Robinson asked about a tax on cannabis and Julian noted that the
Village does collect revenue from cannabis sales. Trustee Lissa Levy asked if the hotel tax
includes short term rentals. Julian explained that it does. When asked by the Mayor about the
amusement tax increase and addition of streaming services, the group voiced no objections to
staff’s recommendation. The Mayor noted that she is not in favor of a vehicle sticker increase.
Trustee Lissa Levy suggested a small, incremental increase instead of a large one. In regards to a
credit card fee pass-through, the Mayor noted a group consensus on adding the fee. Trustee
Robinson noted the number of increases include in the FY27 proposed budget.

Public Comment
David Dalka commented on ambulances, tree removal, parkway enhancements, stop signs on
Lorel, Cook County and State resources for planting trees along the expressway, removal of the
vehicle sticker fee, additional police funding, reorganization of the police and fire departments,
and expenditures of the Village’s Boards and Commissions.

Review of Budgets:
  I. Board of Trustees/Liquor Control Commission
 Mayor Tennes presented the FY27 budget for the Board of Trustees and Liquor Control
 Commission. Trustee Schechter asked that the strategic plan and board briefs be added
 to the Board of Trustees snapshot and suggested adding new objectives on




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 engagement, a housing commission, and a policy for Board and Commission
 engagement with the Village Board. John noted that Communications staff will present
 on Board engagement initiatives during their budget presentation. Trustee Lissa Levy
 suggested that the Board reevaluate Trustee and Board/Commission compensation.
 Barb noted that state statute requires 180 days prior to the next election for
 compensation increases. Mayor Tennes noted the inequity of payment to Board and
 Commission members and that few towns offer payment.

 In reference to the liquor control commission budget, Trustee Kimani Levy inquired if it
 includes BYOB. The Mayor noted that it does.

  II. Village Clerk
 Village Clerk Minal Desai presented the FY27 Village Clerk budget. Trustee Robinson
 asked about the salaries of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. Trustee Schechter asked about
 the workload indicators and if voter events are held at the high schools. Clerk Desai
 advised that the schools have their own events. Trustee Kimani Levy asked if there are
 any AI tools that might assist the department. Trustee Iverson complimented the Clerk
 and Mayor on their event attendance.

 III. Corporation Counsel
 Deputy Corporation Counsel, Barb Mangler presented the FY27 Corporation Counsel
 budget. Trustee Kimani Levy inquired about the number of proposed ordinances from
 the prior year. Trustee Schechter suggested including an administrative hearing
 compliance rate in the snapshots. Trustee Robinson asked about Youth Call. Mayor
 Tennes noted that the hybrid corporation counsel format is under constant review and
 noted the increased interaction between the Corporation Counsels office and the
 Managers Office.

 IV. Finance Department
 Finance Director, Julian Prendi, presented the FY27 budget for the Finance Department.
 Trustee Schechter noted that objective 18 should be corrected to 26 payrolls.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn to closed session in accordance to Section 2, Paragraph C.2 of the Illinois
Open Meetings Act pertaining to wage and benefit discussion at 9:31 p.m.

Moved: Trustee Lissa Levy
Seconded: Trustee Robinson
Ayes: Lissa Levy, Iverson, Kimani Levy, Schechter, and Robinson
Nays: None.
Absent: Trustee Pure Slovin.
MOTION CARRIED




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