The $17 million fiscal 1998 budget was approved by the New Lenox Village Board this week includes money for construction projects and new staff positions.
The construction projects, especially water system and waste water-treatment renovations, and new positions, such as police commander and an assistant village administrator, indicate the impact of a growing population on the demand for village services.
The village’s fund balances, which consist of money unspent in previous years, are healthy and the village is in sound financial condition, Village Administrator Russ Loebe said. The fund balances will help the village handle major expenses ahead, such as a drainage project to relieve flooding in the Aerohaven subdivision and preparations for converting the water supply from local wells to a Lake Michigan pipeline, he said.
The budget’s projected revenues include a series of higher fees for developers, including land exaction, inspection, water connection, building permit and annexation fees.
Loebe said the extra revenues will also benefit developers, by allowing the village to hire more help to complete engineering tasks and inspections more quickly.
But Patrick McSteen, executive vice president of the Will-Grundy Counties Home Builders Association, said he will voice objections to the increases when they come up for a final vote April 22.