2021 PAFR2021
Popular
Financial
Annual
Report
2021
Popular
Financial
Annual
Report
Village Trustees
Andrew Stein
Lester Ottenheimer
David Weidenfeld
Joanne Johnson
Eric Smith
Gregory Pike
A Message
from the
Village
President
It is with great pleasure that the Village of Buffalo
Grove presents the annual “Citizenʼs Guide to Local
Financial Activities” for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021. I take pride in the ability to deliver
the residents of Buffalo Grove with an overview of the
Villageʼs progress and financial performance that is
both transparent and easily understood. This report is
a summary of the financial activities of the Village and
is not intended to replace the Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR). The full disclosure financial
statements, or ACFR, can be found on the Villageʼs
website at www.vbg.org/financialreports.
Analysis conducted within this report outlines growth
drivers, capital projects and summarized financial and
trend data. The presentation of financial information
in the report has been derived from audited financial
statements and conforms to generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) and related reporting
standards.
The Village continues to prioritize financial
transparency and open communication with its
residents and businesses. I hope the information and
data contained in this 2021 guide to local financial
activities provides you with a snapshot of the
challenges and opportunities the Village of Buffalo
Grove is managing today and into the future.
Sincerely,The Village Clerk's office maintains all of the
Villageʼs official records, meeting minutes and
documents as well as a range of services including
business and liquor licensing, voter registration and
municipal code updates.
Budget Overview
Buffalo Grove's 2021 budget is designed to provide residents and other
interested parties with an easy to navigate format that clearly explains how
the Village allocates its resources. Each program strives to make BG more
responsible, resilient or safe. Every program consists of major services the
Village provides for its residents and the business community. The budget
document is therefore organized by areas, programs and major services. The
gray boxes on the following pages provide an overview of each area.
Each program provides oversight over the services that are provided either
directly to the community or indirectly as an internal support function. How
resources are allocated within the annual budget provides the reader insight
as to what the strategic priorities are and what services are valued by Village
stakeholders. The 2021 budget supports 27 programs that deliver 47
services.
Each year, the Village determines its level of service, strategic goals and
expectations and staffing levels based upon the demand for services,
anticipated revenues and progress toward long-term operational and capital
development goals.
Responsible Resilient Safe
BG is...
Janet Sirabian
BG is...
of residents have some level of
post-secondary education
87%
is the median household income in
BG
$115,951
A Closer Look at BG
Responsible
BG is committed to
being prudent
stewards of the public
dollar.
To achieve this
commitment the
village takes the
following actions:
Innovating the
administrative,
personnel, and
legislative functions
Managing the Village's
finances, pensions
funds and debt
service
Overseeing the
strategic use
of information
technology resources
The Villageʼs net position increased by $26.6 million (or 35.7 percent) during the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The governmental net position increased
by $17.5 million (91.1 percent) and the business-type activities net position
increased by $9.1 million (16.4 percent).
Equalized assessed valuation decreased by $27.9 million or 1.5 percent to
$1.79 billion for the 2020 levy year (collected in 2021). The decrease is due
primarily to reductions by the county during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did you know?
Open BG provides a hub of
direct access to the Villageʼs
financial, historical and
contractual data. Anyone can
use this data to participate in
and improve government.
Check it out at vbg.org/openbg!
BG Quick Facts
Where Your Property Tax
Dollars Go
of residents in the labor force are
currently employed
97%
is the median age of a BG resident
41.5
of residents have access to 4+
acres per 1,000 residents
79%
Single family homes in
Buffalo Grove
11,326
of residents were born outside of
the United States
34%
Total population in BG
43,212
BG has a distinctive local economy with an employment
base of 20,000 daily workers.
BG has over 10 million square feet of commercial, office,
and industrial space. BG is home to several advanced
manufacturing centers as well as many high profile firms
such as Siemens, Plexus and Yaskawa.
2021 Top Employers
and Tax Payers
BG is...
Resilient
BG strives to provide
and maintain the
highest quality
infrastructure.
To achieve this
commitment the
village takes the
following actions:
Maintaining the
village's streets,
grounds, water,
drainage, and
sewer systems
Improving the
quality of municipal
buildings, parking
lots, and vehicles
Directing the long
term structural
needs through
engineering
Revenues for the Villageʼs governmental activities for the year ended
December 31, 2021 were $59.2 million, an increase of $8.5 million or
16.8 percent. Property taxes continue to be the Villageʼs largest source
of revenue (28.7 percent) at $17.0 million. Included within the property
tax revenues are the pension levies for the Police and Firefighter Pension
Funds and IMRF/Social Security. The pension levies account for 39.5
percent of the property tax levy. Other taxes and intergovernmental
revenue including sales tax, state income tax, utility tax, prepared food
and beverage tax, hotel tax and real estate transfer tax total $31.5
million or 53.2 percent of total governmental activities revenue.
Revenue Overview
Did you know?
MoneyGeek.com recently evaluated small cities and
towns across the United States - those with 30,000 to
100,000 residents - and ranked them according to the
per capita cost of crime. They ranked Buffalo Grove the
#1 safest town in the U.S., with a $22 crime cost per
capita.
Local Economy
External economic factors at the national and state level continue to
impact the Villageʼs revenue profile and, subsequently its ability to
manage operating and capital resources.
Property tax collections totaled $16,970,657 which is a slight decrease
from the previous yearʼs total of $17,035,362, a decrease of 0.4 percent.
Water and Sewer collections increased from $14,625,649 in 2020 to
$16,326,679 in 2021, a total increase of 11.6 percent.
Sales taxes, both state shared and home rule, generated $16,013,176 in
2021 versus $12,139,442 in 2020, an increase of 31.9 percent.
Did you know?
Buffalo Grove was ranked the 3rd Best
Place to Live and 5th Best Place to Raise
a Family in Illinois by community data
aggregator, Niche.com. The community
also received an A+ rating, noting
low crime rates, a diverse resident base, business growth
and quality of life. Additionally, Niche.com rated Buffalo
Grove as the #4 Place with the Best Public Schools in
America. Schools attended by Buffalo Grove students
include nationally recognized and award-winning District
125ʼs Adlai E. Stevenson High School, and Buffalo Grove
High School/District 214, as well as elementary and junior
high school districts 21, 96 and 103.
2021 Revenue by Source Governmental Activities
Charges for service
Grants and contributions
Property tax
Sales and use tax
Income tax
Telecommunication tax
Utility tax
Property transfer tax
Other taxes
BG is...
SafeBG knows that the
community expects to be
safe in their homes, at
work, and around town.
To achieve this
commitment, the village
takes the following
actions:
Insuring the public's
safety through
emergency medical ,
fire, and police
services
Inspecting the
environmental and
health impacts of
businesses
Developing standards
for the permitting and
zoning of the village's
built environment
The Clove
The Village Board approved Kensington
Development Partners' plans to redevelop
the 22-acre Town Center property into a new,
modern entertainment and residential
district called The Clove. This compact
central district will feature contemporary
building design, as well as upscale tenants
and be a unique destination for residents and
visitors alike.
The plan calls for a new 43,000 square foot
nationally renowned grocery store with an
innovative format to meet the demands of
todayʼs consumers. In addition, it includes a
7-story, 297-unit high-end apartment
building with 16,000 square feet of
commercial space on the ground floor.
Distinctive from traditional multi-family
complexes, the proposed “next generation”
VIN 90 Kitchen + Bar
The bar, restaurant and patio area at The Arboretum Club have
been renovated into a full-service restaurant, VIN 90 Kitchen + Bar.
Managed by WJ Golf and led by Chef Yoon Kin, VIN 90 offers a
unique dining experience. The menu features a wide variety of
options, including an extensive sushi selection, along with a full-
service bar. A large retractable wall creates an open-air concept
between the indoor seating and the patio overlooking the course.
New Public Works Facility
apartment building represents the latest
in the luxury rental market, where the
focus is creating an amenity-rich,
convenience-filled environment. The plan
also provides nearly 20,000 square feet of
new retail and restaurants scattered
throughout the site, plus an
approximately 0.85-acre “Central Park”
will sit in the middle of the site and can
be programmed for concerts, the arts
and other civic events.
Revitalizing the remaining 34,000 square
feet located on the northern portion of
the site, creating new opportunities for
existing and future tenants.
Groundbreaking is expected this fall!
The Village plans to acquire the building at 1650 Leider Lane to
house the Villageʼs public works and engineering services. The
new 173,000 square foot facility provides enough space to
accommodate public works operations now and well into the
future. Repurposing an existing building will save the Village
approximately 40% of costs compared to that of a new building.
The project will be financed with AAA-rated bonds, along with
capital fund reserves. The remainder of the project cost will come
from the sale of the existing public works property and other
sources, with no additional cost to BG taxpayers. Occupancy is
anticipated in spring 2024.
BGPD
Quick
Facts
Expense Overview
The cost of all governmental activities this year was $40.6
million, a decrease of 3.8 percent from 2020 ($42.2 million). The
largest decrease was made in Public Safety expenses $2.2 million
in 2021. General Government expenses increased by $0.5 million
(6.9 percent) and Public Works expenses increased by $0.3 million
(3.9 percent).
Expenses from all business-type activities increased by $0.4
million or 3.6 percent. The Water Fund expenses increased by
$0.2 million, which compares favorably to a budgeted increase in
expenses. Golf expenses were increased in 2021 to $2.6 million
in total or 7.7 percent.
Affirmative Action
Recruiting Plan has
been in place since
1986 and updated
every 3 years.
Biased Based
Policing Annual
review revealed the
20th consecutive
year without any
complaints of biased
based profiling.
Officers complete an
8-hour mental health
first aid and a
40-hour crisis
intervention training.
Buffalo Grove 2020 Expenditures by Function
Village Pension Obligations
The Fire Pension Fund had a funded ratio of 85%
as of December 31, 2021. The annual interest rate
assumption is 7% with a the five-year average
return is 11.45% as of December 31, 2021.
The Police Pension Fund had a funded ratio of
78% as of December 31, 2021. The annual interest
rate assumption is 7% with a five-year average
return of 11.81% as of December 31, 2021.
72% of benefit costs are related to pension
costs. $7.9 million is the Villageʼs employer
obligation for current and future annuitants and
$8.8 million will be distributed to retired
pensioners.
General government
Public safety
Public works
Interest
Finance and Liabilities
2021
Adequate Reserves
The Village had $22,485,209
in unassigned fund balance
available in the General Fund
on December 31, 2021.
Debt Reduction
The Village retired a total of
$2,550,445 in general obligation
debt in fiscal year 2021.
Public Safety
Pension Funding
The Fire Pension Fund is funded
at 85.1%, and the Police Pension
Fund is funded at 77.8%. State
statute mandates that pensions
be funded at 100% by 2040.
Financial Stability
The Village holds a AAA⏤the
highest possible⏤bond rating
from Standard & Poor's on all
current bonded general
obligation debt.
The Village's financial policy requires a
25% fund balance for general operations.
Learn more at www.vbg.org/financialreports.
Cambridge on the Lake Lift Station Relocation
Forest/Glendale Street + Utility
Thompson + Brandywyn Road Contract 3
Maintenance Projects
Learn more about key
IMP Projects
Connect
with the
Village and
stay
informed
The Infrastructure Modernization Program encompasses
the largest initiative in the Villageʼs history to replace and
rehabilitate core infrastructure assets. Due to the
development patterns of the Village since 1958, much of the
water and sewer infrastructure as well as road deficiencies
exist in the Cook County portions of the Village. However,
given the desire to balance the needs of the entire village
with this initiative, several projects are planned village-wide
now through 2027.
Key IMP Project Impacts and Results
2021 Projects Street
Miles
Water
Miles Total Cost
Melinda/Hiawatha 0.79 0.78 $2,350,800
Vintage 0.77 0.0 $456,000
Cambridge 0.75 0.70 $3,787,000
Thompson/Brandywyn 1.14 0.0 $4,324,000
TOTAL 6.79 1.49 $10,917,800
2022 Projects Street
Miles
Water
Miles Total Cost
COTL Li Station 0 0.1 $3,289,000
Forest/Glendale 1.21 2.7 $6,890,000
Thompson/Brandywyn 1.82 0 $2,842,000
TOTAL 3.03 2.8 $13,021,000
Make significant
Investments into
infrastructure
upgrades and
replacements.
Embark on the
largest
infrastructure
project in the
Village's history.
2.
1.
Complete
planned Capital
Improvements
over time.3.
Minimize
resident
disruption.4.
Secure
sustainable
funding into
the future.5.
The Village Board approved two significant
revenue streams for this purpose, the
implementation of a fixed facility fee and
water/sewer rate increase for water and sewer
main replacement and a local motor fuel tax
to fund road improvements.
In 2020, the Board approved a bond issue
totaling $24 million - $14 million for
water/sewer and $10 million for streets, to
begin our infrastructure modernization
project, with minimal impact on the
property tax levy.
The Village projects investing over $50
million into water, sewer and streets
between 2020 and 2023.
To the extent possible, project sequencing
will be arranged such that entire
neighborhoods will be completed within one
to three years based on outside funding in an
effort to reduce service interruptions and
overall disruption.
The Village Board and staff have devoted a
great deal of time to developing sustainable
practices to improve and maintain our core
infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Modernization
Program
Buffalo Grove will...