GLENWOOD | The Village Board voted unanimously Tuesday to establish a property tax levy of $3,355,508 for the fiscal year that began May 1 and ends April 30.
"It will be an additional 1.5 percent over last year's levy," said Linda Brunette, village finance director. "That will only bring us an additional revenue for 2013 in the amount of about $49,000."
Trustee Twone Thomas was not present for the vote.
Village President Kerry Durkin commended the village staff on the levy and noted the levy approved last year represented a 1.5 percent reduction.
"For two years, you're a net zero," Durkin said.
He said the increase this year was needed to make up for an approximately $40,000 deficit in the village budget.
In other village news:
* The Glenwood Fire Department will provide and install smoke detectors for Glenwood residents at least 65 years old who call the Glenwood Fire Station at (708) 753-2440 to schedule an appointment.
The Fire Department will also, upon request, conduct a life safety inspection of a senior's residence.
"We do a comprehensive look at the whole property," Fire Chief Kevin Welsh said. "We talk about trip hazards. We talk about handles on the stove. We look around for any obvious fire hazards, any life safety hazards."
Welsh said overloaded circuits and nonworking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are common finds.
* The Fire Department's annual food, toy and clothing drive that was conducted Dec. 15 proved very fruitful.
"We got a ton of food and a lot of toys," Welsh said.
Nine families within the village will be assisted through the collection.
Welsh said the bulk of the remainder will be distributed to local churches and food pantries.
* The date of the next Village Board meeting has been changed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2, at 7 p.m.
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