Village of Roscoe Board ponders new projects for 2022 budget

The 2022 Village of Roscoe annual budget was discussed during the Committee of the Whole portion of the Nov. 17 meeting. The suggestions and improvements and projects are, at this point, a wish list of what the Board would like to see happen in the coming year. We have mentioned many of them in previous articles.

A straw vote was taken after each project was discussed to determine their priority.  Some of the ideas included a new salt storage building, land improvements such as a dog park, outdoor fitness stations, outdoor murals on downtown buildings, and an extension of Perryville Road.

Another suggestion was to allow Village employees, including the Police Department, to pay 0% of premiums for health insurance and 6% for family members.

Other items discussed were hiring bonuses, a splash pad in Leland Park, expansion of Porter Park, purchase of a field mower, and a $250 yearly employment bonus.

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The discussion and recommendations were in tentative form and will be voted on at the next Village meeting on Dec. 7.  The priority and number of projects that can be undertaken within the budget will be determined.

Earlier in the evening, trustees discussed establishing a local grant program to mitigate pandemic-related adverse impacts on businesses in the Village. The funding would be from the American Rescue Plan.

Trustee Carol Gustafson suggested setting aside $100,000 to establish a "paycheck protection program," a local grant program that would provide small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks payroll costs including benefits, rent and utilities.

Village of Roscoe Board meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of the month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Trustee Mike Dunn strongly encourages residents to attend Village meetings, saying, “Be informed.  Know what’s going on in your community.”