Lake Bluff board approves $870,739.34 in warrants; December sales tax up 14.2%

The Lake Bluff Village Board on Jan. 26 approved the warrants report for Jan. 13–Jan. 26, 2026, authorizing expenditures of $870,739.34.

During review, trustees asked about ambulance-billing line items and why two quarters appeared on the same warrant; staff explained the amounts reflect call volumes and a timing quirk that resulted in two quarter invoices appearing together. The audio record shows trustees asked routine clarification questions and the board approved the warrants by roll call.

Bettina, presenting the finance report, said December 2025 sales tax receipts totaled $391,166, a 14.2% increase over December 2024, and that year‑to‑date General Fund revenues reached $11,254,456, a $473,812 (4.4%) increase from the comparable period the prior fiscal year. Bettina said sales-tax receipts for December are reported in arrears (reflecting October sales) and that more detailed category-level data arriving in subsequent quarters will help explain which sectors (she suggested auto sales as a possibility) drove the increase.

Trustees had no further questions and approved the finance items as presented.

No follow-up fiscal actions or budget amendments were recorded at the meeting.