The Village of North Lewisburg has made great financial strides in the last decade.
According to administrator Andy Yoder, the village struggled “keep the lights on” during the Great Recession years from 2007-2009, but the picture looks much different now. At Tuesday night’s meeting North Lewisburg Council approved the 2019 budget, which includes nearly as much carryover money as newly generated funds.
The estimated revenue for 2019 is set at $1,189,000. On top of that the village has carryover funds, which include investments in CDs, of $1,085,000.
“We’ve been very frugal,” mayor Cheryl Hollingsworth said.
Yoder said the strength of the local economy also allowed for the budget to expand enough to include a three-percent pay increase for village employees.
The three largest funds in the budget are the general, water and sewer funds.
The estimated general fund revenue for 2019 is $428,000 with expenses estimated at $445,000. Expenses beyond generated revenue will be covered by carryover funds.
The water fund has estimated revenue of $292,000 with expenses projected at a nearly identical $293,000. Sewer fund revenue is projected at $399,000 with expenses estimated at $434,000.
The municipal income tax pumps the most money into the general fund coffers, with an estimated $300,000. Other sources of revenue include $26,000 in property tax, $26,000 in rent/lease agreements and $35,000 from Mayor’s Court fines.
The finals 2019 budget will be submitted to the Champaign County Commissioners by Dec. 30.
In other business, council:
-Accepted $50 from Cameron Edge which represents additional funds collected which exceeded costs for his Eagle Scout project in the village park. Edge built a gaga ball pit for his project and said the money could be used for its upkeep.
-Approved an ordinance to establish a policy for the use of the village’s three credit cards.
-Approved an agreement with the Champaign County Commissioners to provide legal counsel for indigent individuals charged with crimes in the village.