Sheffield looking for revenue

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Sheffield Mayor Bill Rosenow (left) presents Village Superintendent Leif Porter with a plaque, honoring him for his 30-plus years of service to the village. (BCR photo/Kim Parker)

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SHEFFIELD — “We need to increase revenue in our police department. Garbage, water and sewer rates will eventually need to be raised,” Sheffield Mayor Bill Rosenow said at the board meeting Monday night.

David Wilcoxson of Wilcoxon & Associates of LaSalle addressed the village board with the annual audit of the village's financial situation. The current assessed value of Sheffield is $7,274,817. While this is a slight increase from last year, it was noted that many of the numbers stayed virtually the same from the previous year.

While the majority of the village’s revenue is generated from homeowners and real estate, the village board is still going to have to address the hard issues of how and what the board can do to increase money coming in to the village.

“We have enough revenue to cover the village needs, but we need to work as a board and figure out how to bring up our revenue, so that we have a cushion if needed for emergency situations.” Rosenow said.

The village does have debt generated from the water and sewer project that started back in 1992. The project involves the north end of the railroad tracks, including upgrading the lift and pump stations. This project is still ongoing for the village, and they would like to see it completed.

Jeff Snyde of Chamlin & Associates of Peru who is the village engineer has been working with the board, putting together the required paperwork needed for grant writings along with information needed for permits, so that any grant monies the village receives can be put to use immediately with this ongoing project.

“I am hopeful that we could receive somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000 in grant monies to complete this project; we will just have to wait and see,” Rosenow said.

Leif Porter, superintendent for the village of Sheffield, was recognized for his 30-plus years working for the village. Porter was presented with a plaque and gift certificates from merchants in the area.

“We would be lost without you, Leif. The village owes you a debt of gratitude for all the hard work you do for us,” Rosenow said.

That being said, Porter went on to ask the board for permission to put in a new radiator for the village's cemetery/snow truck.

“I spoke to Ronny over at Bell’s Transmission, and he said they could put in a new one for about $400,” Porter said. The board discussed the pros and cons due to the fact that the truck is very old, but since it is running well with the exception of the radiator, they gave Porter the go ahead to have one put in.

Trustee Adrienne Reis spoke about concerns she has received about the continuous smoking problem with one of the taverns in town. Reis commented on steps the village of Wyanet is taking with their taverns.

“They are asking that all taverns approach the board when it comes time for their liquor renewal, so that the board can ask them questions and address issues that they or residents may have with regards to their establishment,” she said.

Discussion ensued, but Rosenow reiterated the fact that smoking in a tavern is now a civil and not a criminal offense. "We would have to decide who would give out citations, who would enforce the smoking issue," he said. He suggested he write a letter to those taverns who are not in compliance with the state statutes and remind them once again of the law.

In other business, the board:

• Approved payment of bills in the amount of $7,158.34.

• Is giving all taverns within city limits an extra hour of operation on New Year's Eve. All taverns will be allowed to stay open until 2 a.m.

• Would like to remind everyone of the snowmobile route through the village of Sheffield. All snowmobiles must stay on the outskirted roads of the village; you cannot be driving through the village streets. Streets appropriate are North Street, Mill Road. and Reed Street.

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