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Village manager talks top issues
Glenview Wednesday 11.07.12. Glenview Village Manager Todd Hileman is shown during an interview at the village hall on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 16, 2012 6:32AM
GLENVIEW — In May, the Illinois Association of Municipal Assistants gave Glenview Village Manager Todd Hileman its Outstanding Manager award for his Municipal Partnering Initiative.
He was able to organize 22 nearby villages in bidding for public works projects as one unit, thus creating more buying power to save public money.
Hileman’s game plan worked, and Glenview officials estimated the villages saved about $460,000.
In October, his Municipal Partnering Initiative again was recognized, this time by the International City/County Management Association. The village won the award with Lake Forest.
Hileman has been Glenview’s top administrator since 2004.
Q. Can you describe top issues facing Glenview?
A. “Our biggest concern is how state legislatures and state government will deal with pensions in our economy while trying to balance the budget.
“If the state budget is not balanced, we see a desire to cut our local government streams that we receive from the state, such as income taxes and motor and fuel taxes.
“On funding our employee pensions, with the current funding formula we do feel pressure. It takes money out of our property taxes, but fund pensions at around 70 percent to 80 percent.
“Glenview relies heavily on local sales taxes. We watch this very closely and we’re always trying to get additional retailers into the village.”
Q. Given the economy, how is Glenview’s fiscal situation?
A. “I would say excellent. We have strong reserves at 40 percent of the budge and Glenview has a triple A rating by Moody’s, which likes to see 20 percent to 30 percent.
“It took several years of hard decisions, but we now have a fully funded capital improvements plan over the next five years at $64 million.
“Doing so is really a credit to our management team and board of trustees.”
Q. What is the village doing to promote economic development?
A. “Again, aggressively bringing in larger retailers, such the GlenStar project (at Willow Road and Interstate 294). GlenStar has submitted plans for Mariano’s Fresh Market, LA Fitness and several more.
“We also have ongoing retail interest at the former Avon property and at Milwaukee Avenue and Central Road.”
Q. Is the village doing a good job in conducting its business transparently?
A. “Yes, but there’s always room for improvement. We’ve been televising and archiving meetings of the Plan Commission and village board.
“And people can go to our website (www.glenview.il.us/SitePages/index.aspx) to see our union contracts, employee salaries, budgets and audits.”
