Tinley Park board adopts $71.8 million general fund budget; approves transfers and pay-scale ordinance

Tinley Park's village board on April 30 adopted its fiscal 2025 budget, approving a general fund spending plan of $71,846,300 and including a $14,015,550 general-fund allocation for the Tinley Park Public Library.

The ordinance approving the budget (Ordinance 2024-O-019) was introduced by Trustee Ken Shaw, who told the board the draft had been posted to the village's transparency portal on April 5 and that a statutorily required public hearing was held April 16. "The proposed total expenditure budget for the general fund is $71,846,300," Shaw said. He also stated, "The Tinley Park Public Library is also included in the overall village budget" and identified the library's proposed general-fund total as $14,015,550.

Why it matters: the budget sets spending priorities and authorizes staff to carry out day-to-day operations and planned capital work in the coming fiscal year. Board members praised the finance team and department heads for preparing the document and identified Harmony Square as a notable capital outlay included in the plan.

After approving the budget, the board voted to adopt Resolution 2024-R-047 to establish not-to-exceed ceilings for contemplated interfund transfers. Trustee Shaw described the limits as "not to exceed amounts" and listed the ceilings as $15,500,000 from the general fund; $5,000,000 from water and sewer operations (water retail, water wholesale and sewer); and $250,000 from the commuter parking lot fund. The resolution states that the actual dollar amounts will be determined after the fiscal year closes and may be less than the stated maximums.

Also on the special-meeting agenda, the board adopted Ordinance 2024-O-018 to establish pay scales for non-collectively bargained positions for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. Trustee Bill Brady said the ordinance updates pay scales for nonunion positions ("except fire suppression") to maintain competitiveness and reflected committee discussion held April 16.

Staff and board remarks: Finance staff and other department heads received repeated thanks from trustees during the meeting. A finance staff member who identified herself as Hannah thanked the board and singled out the finance team: "We couldn't do it without them," she said, and also thanked library staff for coordinating the library budget. Public comment was solicited for each item and none was offered.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2024-O-019 (FY2025 annual budget): moved by Trustee Ken Shaw; second recorded; vote: unanimous approval.
- Resolution 2024-R-047 (interfund transfer ceilings): moved by Trustee Ken Shaw; second recorded; vote: unanimous approval.
- Ordinance 2024-O-018 (pay scales for nonunion positions): moved by Trustee Bill Brady; second recorded; vote: unanimous approval.

What's next: President Cox and trustees noted upcoming village events, including a business breakfast set for May 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the Tinley Park Convention Center, and thanked staff involved in ongoing projects; President Cox noted building permits had been issued to begin work at Harmony Square. The special meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m.