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Buffalo Grove village manager focuses on finances
Dane Bragg, village manager of Buffalo Grove
Updated: November 16, 2012 8:36AM
BUFFALO GROVE — With multiple elected officials preparing for their first trips from the northwest suburbs to Springfield as state legislators, we sat down with village administrators to ask about issues facing their community.
The municipal leaders re-iterated lingering local needs they hope will be addressed.
In Buffalo Grove, Dane Bragg spoke last week about the ways in which the new group of state representatives and senators could make life better in their hometowns.
Q: Can you briefly describe the top three issues Buffalo Grove faces?
A: The village’s biggest challenges are:
1) Generating sufficient revenue to provide requested levels of service to its citizens.
2) Diversifying revenue streams to reduce reliance on property tax.
3) Controlling operating costs to maintain a balanced budget.
Q: Given the economy, how would you describe Buffalo Grove’s fiscal situation?
A: The village of Buffalo Grove has been diligent in managing its operational and long-term finances. At present, the village continues to operate with a balanced operating budget and is actively addressing long-term capital needs for the community. Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s affirmed the village’s strong financials this year by once again bestowing their highest rating on the village’s bonds.
Q: How is the state’s pension crisis affecting Buffalo Grove?
A: There is no direct impact of the state pension crisis to the village as a municipality. Indirectly, the continued structural deficit in the state’s budget, predominantly due to looming pension liabilities, negatively impacts payments by the state, the business climate and bond ratings throughout the state. The sharply rising cost of public pensions is a concern for local and state governments and affects the annual property tax levy.
Q: What is Buffalo Grove doing to promote economic development?
A: Currently, the village is actively working with developers concerning redevelopment projects in the Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue corridors. The Village also participates in regional economic development efforts through Lake County Partners and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Over the long-term, the Village is considering the proposed redevelopment of a portion of the Buffalo Grove Golf Course and municipal campus properties for a downtown project.
Q: Do you think Buffalo Grove is doing a good job conducting its business transparently?
A: Absolutely. The Village of Buffalo Grove prides itself on not only providing transparent communications and financial information, but also actively solicits input from residents in considering projects and financial commitments. The Village meets or exceeds all requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, providing responses to requests on a daily basis.
