Supervisor reports strong food pantry use, county tax disbursement delays; board begins budget planning

Supervisor Wilt opened the meeting with a report on township services and finances, saying donations to the township food pantry were "very generous" over the holidays and that monetary donations exceeded $1,800 in December. She said 127 households used the pantry at least once during the year and the township distributed 90 of the $75 gift cards previously approved by the board, plus two donated $50 cards to cover last-minute needs.

Wilt reported that the county treasurer's office had sent two lump-sum payments of $154,118.66 each (totaling $308,237.32) representing an approximate 20% remittance of billed taxes, but that the county's disbursement reporting system has not shown updates since October 31, leaving uncertainty about regular payments to special funds such as general assistance and the mental health fund. Wilt characterized the situation as a significant delay that could affect the township's planning.

On capital needs, the supervisor said a 14-year-old township copier began failing; a replacement purchase proposal from Canon arrived after the agenda was posted for about $9,400 and Wilt said she intends to exercise emergency spending authority to replace it and seek board approval at the next meeting. She also noted a previously passed October resolution supporting Illinois's 250th commemoration and suggested the board discuss related volunteer projects at a February committee meeting.

In preliminary budget discussion trustees were asked to identify priorities for the coming year. Wilt mentioned potential county grant opportunities for roofs, the need for restrooms (architect meeting to be rescheduled), and a separate project to repair the clock face with funding offered by the Jisa family. The board agreed to continue budget work in January and to revisit specific line items once county tax disbursements become clearer.

The assessor, Mary Jo Miller, also reported a smooth transition into the office, briefly noted appointment to the Cook County Township Assessors Association board, and reminded residents that the state-run senior tax deferral deadline is March 1.