Skokie May Purchase 'Mobile Police Substation'

The Village of Skokie Board of Trustees will review the proposed fiscal year 2014 (FY14) budget at several upcoming hearings this May.

The proposed operating budget is $51 million, representing a 1.9 percent increase, or approximately $970,000, from the previous year.

Plans for a "police manpower study" and funding to return the village’s police manpower to prerecession levels are included in the budget, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

Also included is the purchase of a vehicle that acts as a community outreach police substation, also known as a command post vehicle.

Unlike a police sub-station in a fixed building, this mobile police facility can be moved to where it is needed and will create a visible, convenient community meeting place while increasing direct access to public safety services, the village said. The measure still needs to be approved before any equipment is purchased, however.

There will also be a water rate increase of 4.9 percent to cover an increase in the water supply cost charged by the City of Evanston and capital expenses to maintain the aging water system infrastructure. Even with this increase, Skokie’s water rate remains the lowest water rate available among area communities for the third consecutive year, the village said.

The budget continues the village’s 22-year property tax freeze while maintaining services, emphasizing public safety and continuing the village’s tradition of careful financial management, the village said in a press release.

“The Village has withstood the challenging economy since the beginning of the recession in 2008 and I am pleased to report positive economic growth,” Skokie Village Manager Albert Rigoni said. “The budget as proposed continues the austerity approach that has been necessary in recent years while meeting mandatory increases.

"The proposed budget does not include 18.5 full-time personnel positions that were frozen during the recession as a cost saving measure, which represents an annual savings of $950,000," he added. "The budget enables the village to maintain services while continuously striving for efficiencies and improvements in all areas." 

The Skokie Village Board will consider the proposed FY14 budget in detail at the public hearings on May 13 and May 22. All budget hearings begin at 6:15 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St.

--

Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook