Oswego Village Board Regular Meeting Summary – June 10, 2025

The Oswego Village Board met in regular session on June 10, 2025, at Oswego Village Hall, beginning at 7:00 PM or immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting. The board approved a consent agenda, a separate water easement resolution, the June 10 bill list, and a contingency-fee legal services contract for AFFF PFAS litigation. The meeting also included recognitions and proclamations, a first-quarter financial update, and one public forum comment.

Recognitions & Appointments

• Village President Ryan Kaufman read a proclamation in memory of Richard ‘Dick’ Miller, a 98-year-old Navy veteran and Bronze Star recipient who served on the USS Drexler during the Battle of Okinawa and died May 25, 2025. The president called Miller a personal hero.
• The board honored Bob and Mary Patterson and the Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation for bringing the Illinois Fallen Wall to Oswego from May 9 to June 6, 2025, and for their work honoring Illinois service members killed since September 11, 2001.
• Mason Trayser, an Oswego East High School student, received the inaugural Outstanding Citizen Award. On April 25, 2025, he dove 12 feet underwater to rescue a fellow student who was drowning and not moving.
• Employee Service Awards were presented to Michael Barajas and Police Chief Jason Bastin for 20 years of service with the Oswego Police Department.
• The board proclaimed June 14, 2025 as Flag Day and June 2025 as Pride Month in the Village of Oswego.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carlos Sesta, a resident new to the village, praised the community survey, saying it was ‘spectacular’ and that many results were ‘significantly above regional or national levels.’ He suggested clarifying whether the survey’s ‘social media/Facebook’ finding means Facebook specifically or social media generally.
• He expressed concern about a local church’s public social media rhetoric, which he described as unwelcoming, and said he emailed the church and would forward the email to the board.
• He asked the village to consider preserving a roughly 150-year-old tree at the future District 5 fire station site along Wolf’s Crossing, potentially incorporating it into the project, as a way of preserving the past during expansion.

Staff Report: Quarterly Financial Update

• Finance Director Andrea Lamberg, who recently earned the Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation, presented first-quarter results for calendar year 2025.
• General operating fund revenues were just under $7.5 million and expenditures were $5.4 million, producing a $2 million surplus. The budget had projected a $575,000 deficit because of a one-time transfer to the capital fund for the new public works facility; excluding that transfer, the budget was balanced with a small surplus.
• General fund revenues were at 26% of budget and expenditures at 19% of budget. All departments except IT/GIS were under the 25% spending target; IT/GIS was at 25% because annual maintenance and licensing fees are paid early in the year.
• Sales tax revenue was $3.6 million, or 30% of budget; income tax (LGDF) revenue was $1.5 million, or 25%; food and beverage tax revenue was $351,000, or 26%; building permit revenue was $276,000, or 28%.
• The water and sewer operating fund had revenues just under $3 million, expenses just under $1.5 million, and a $1.48 million surplus. The budgeted surplus was $4.5 million, planned for the Lake Michigan connection and future debt service. Revenues were at 28% of budget and expenditures at 24%.
• A $20 million bond sale, originally scheduled for mid-June, was expected to occur in July to cover the first six months of planned spending for the Lake Michigan connection.
• Water sales were $2.4 million, or 27% of budget; sewer maintenance revenue was $456,000, or 26%; interest earnings were 86% of budget because DuPage Water Commission payments were delayed; and real estate transfer tax revenue was $183,000, or 24% of budget, outperforming the original annual projection of $400,000 and the current budget of more than $700,000.
• In response to trustee questions, Lamberg said water revenue was ahead because of rate increases and higher-than-budgeted pumpage; she agreed to analyze whether sales tax growth is outpacing population growth. She said a state change in how online sales taxes are accounted for increased sales tax and decreased use tax, with a net positive impact, and that the grocery tax change taking effect January 1, 2026 is not a concern for the 2025 budget.

New Business: PFAS Litigation Legal Services Contract

• Staff presented a resolution authorizing a contract for legal services related to AFFF PFAS litigation, involving firefighting foam containing PFAS ‘forever chemicals.’ The proposed contract would allow two law firms to test the village’s raw water supply for PFAS and, if contamination is found, help compile a damages claim.
• The village would pay no out-of-pocket costs; the attorneys would receive one-third of the gross amount recovered plus litigation expenses, and only if the village achieves a successful recovery. The village may terminate the contract at any time with written notice.
• Trustees described the arrangement as a ‘win-win’ and a ‘no-brainer,’ noting there is no cost or financial risk to taxpayers. The board approved the resolution unanimously by 6-0 roll-call vote.

Consent Calendar and Other Actions

• The board approved the consent agenda as read by 6-0 roll-call vote, including minutes, closed session minutes approved but not released, a Class C liquor license decrease for Mason Wok and Sushi, a $107,856.00 contract with Trico Mechanical Inc. for the Public Works trench drain replacement project, final acceptance of Starbucks/Valvoline improvements at Orchard Plaza, a contract with Steve Piper and Sons Inc. for village-wide stump grinding and restoration, a Piper Glen Phase 1 surety bond reduction to $792,144.10, and the Sonoma Trails Phase 2 final PUD and subdivision plat.
• Item G.9, final acceptance of earthwork for Piper Glen Subdivision and release of project bond, was pulled and will be brought to a future board meeting.
• Item G.4, a resolution approving an agreement to convey a water easement to the village, was considered separately. Trustee Jen moved to approve it subject to resolving an outstanding right-of-way issue not reflected on the plat, related to the 2012 Illinois 71 widening; the board approved it unanimously by 6-0 roll-call vote.
• The board approved the bill list dated June 10, 2025, in the amount of $1,172,259.52, by 6-0 roll-call vote.

Trustee Reports and President’s Report

• Trustees thanked the honorees, praised Bob and Mary Patterson for the Illinois Fallen Wall, and congratulated Chief Bastin and Commander Barajas on 20 years of service. They also highlighted Mason Trayser’s lifesaving actions, the upcoming Prairie Fest, and the Sonoma Trails Phase 2 ribbon cutting.
• A trustee shared a personal connection to Pride Month and said the village has been a welcoming community; another trustee said she would like to see more visible Pride recognition, such as pride flags in the community or at Village Hall. President Kaufman said a flag display could be discussed later, while noting that allowing one flag can raise issues about allowing others.
• President Kaufman reported attending the Aurora Pride Parade, thanked staff and veterans volunteers, and encouraged residents to attend Prairie Fest.