Publications & Sites 
Western Springs Village Board notes
Updated: January 21, 2013 3:20PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — In other business at their meeting Dec. 17, village trustees:
• approved the reappointment for three-year terms of Greg Miller to the Plan Commission, Ryan D’Aprile, Robert Baker, Doug DeRock and Lee Fry to the Economic Development Commission, Richard Fisher as chairman of the Infrastructure Commission, and Jason LaBuda to the Recreation Commission
• proclaimed December at National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month in Western Springs
• approved the village’s fiscal year 2013 operating budget, showing $20.9 million in revenue and $21.9 million in expenditures. The biggest use of cash reserves to cover the budget shortfall will be $785,000 moved to the road construction fund for roadwork done next year.
• amended the village code regarding nonconforming signs and political signs. The change for nonconforming signs removes the requirement to update signs that are not within code when they need to be replaced. Village officials note the change provides a pro-business approach to the issue. The change for political signs puts the village ordinance in line with state law, which allow political signs to be up all year long.
• abated $5.6 million from the village tax levy for bonds for which the village has a revenue source other than property taxes, such as water and sewer use payments that pay off water bonds
• approved the 2012 tax levy, paid through 2013 taxes, of $6.7 million. The Thomas Ford Memorial Library, which operates under the village, accounts for $1.1 million of the levy. The village’s $6.7 million levy is a 4 percent increase over last year. Because the village is a nonhome-rule community its levy for next year can only increase by the consumer price index, which is set at 3 percent. The additional 1 percent being sought by the village is to capture any new growth (new homes or businesses that have come on the tax rolls in the past year).
