Economy Has No Impact On Core Hinsdale Services: Official

HINSDALE, IL — Despite the plunge in the economy, Hinsdale still maintains a healthy fund balance, the village's leader said this week.

Because of the pandemic and related shutdowns, the village saw its income drop by $1.9 million this year, Village President Tom Cauley said at Monday's virtual meeting of the Village Board. That is the result in decreases in revenue from sales taxes, food and beverage taxes, and parking fines and fees.

"Because of the conservative budgeting that the board had done over the last several years, the village can address this $1.9 million shortfall with no real impact to our core services, which relate to our police, fire and public works services," Cauley said.

At the end of this year, the village expects a balance in its main account of $5.7 million, an amount that exceeds what bond rating agencies recommend, Cauley said. That is a rainy day fund that could pay for roughly four months of village operations.

Helping the village, Cauley said, was $900,000 in federal funds designed to aid towns nationwide. Also, the village cut $400,000 in spending without impacting core services, Cauley said.

Like many towns, Hinsdale decided to defer maintenance projects shortly after the pandemic began. Despite the challenges, Cauley said, the village still plans to improve Eighth Street and Chicago Avenue next year. More work is also planned on Phillippa Street.

Also in 2021, Cauley said, the village plans to spend money on body cameras for police officers, replacement of automatic defibrillators around town and work associated with the new pedestrian walkway.