Godfrey board approves fiscal 2026-27 budget with projected deficit

GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board voted unanimously on Tuesday night to approve the budget and appropriation ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Ten minutes before the board's Public Safety Committee meeting at 6 p.m., a public hearing was held on the ordinance. No members of the public commented, and board members did not discuss the ordinance, which they voted to approve during the regular board meeting.

The ordinance lays out the village's expected revenues and planned expenditures for the fiscal year. It predicts revenues of $17,588,187 and expenditures of $21,451,950, resulting in a deficit of $3,863,763. By comparison, the village finished the last fiscal year with revenues of $14,774,879.08 and expenditures of $12,934,265.64, resulting in a surplus of $1,840,613.44.

Mayor Mike McCormick said before the meeting that the ordinance serves as a "blueprint" for the village's spending during the year.

"The budget appropriation ordinance is a blueprint," he said. "All my department heads are very precise and keeping an eye on that, to make sure they're operating within that. We'll still manage to get a lot of streets done, a lot of stuff done in the Village of Godfrey."

The village uses the appropriation system to set the maximum spending amount rather than a budget officer system, which attempts to estimate actual spending.

"The budget and appropriation ordinance usually shows a deficit going ahead, but by the end of the next year, we're under that budget," McCormick said. "They always build a little extra into it, in case that happens.

"I don't pay that much attention to (the ordinance)," the mayor admitted. "I pay attention to our monthly treasurer's report."

McCormick noted the village had ended the last three fiscal years with budget surpluses.

"That's the main thing I hang my hat on, the fact that the Village of Godfrey is in great financial shape," he said.

Godfrey trustees approve Public Works Building repairs

During the Finance Committee meeting, which preceded the Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved repairs to the village's Public Works Building at 6212 Godfrey Road. Jim Lewis, director of maintenance for the village's Streets/Public Works Department, said a corner of the building had been damaged some time ago.

"(The building) is where the Street Department and I meet every morning," Lewis told the trustees.

Trustees unanimously approved Countryside Builders of Godfrey to repair the building at a cost not to exceed $4,400.

Godfrey board approves roadwork, engineering projects

The Finance Committee also unanimously approved the purchase of 800 tons of chips and oil from Evergreen Roadworks at $35 per ton, for a total not to exceed $28,000.

For the village's Engineering Department, the Finance Committee unanimously approved:

* Purchase of a Tracer X2 inspection equipment from Strahl for an amount not to exceed $56,200, with 50% to be paid up front as a prepay.

* A proposal from Visu-Sewer of Missouri LLC for the River Aire Court Pipe Rehabilitation Project, in the amount not to exceed $24,225. Visu-Sewer of Missouri LLC is based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and managed by C T Corporation System of Chicago.

* A final change order for the Thatcher Drainage Improvements Project, increasing the amount by $4,745 and making the final payment as an August 2026 prepay.

All of the Finance Committee's recommendations were approved unanimously during the regular board meeting that followed.

Marli Nixon named new human resources director

McCormick announced a new human resources director at Tuesday's meeting.

"I'd like to introduce Marli Nixon," the mayor said.

McCormick said the village had posted a job opening for a part-time director of human resources, and three candidates applied.

"Hands down, I think we hired the best candidate," the mayor said about Nixon. "I think moving forward, she's going to be a wonderful addition to our staff here."

Nixon is filling the role previously held by Mark Cappel, who recently retired.

At the Village Board meeting on June 2, which McCormick didn't attend in person, trustees tabled approval of the mayor's request to hire former Alton High School basketball coach Mike Brey as "personnel director." The trustees urged the mayor to advertise the position, which he did.

McCormick has since clarified that "director of human resources" is the official title of the part-time position, in which Nixon will work 20 hours per week. She began her duties late last month.

McCormick said there should be an opportunity at the next Village Board meeting for trustees, who he said can "advise and consent" on his choice, to approve Nixon's hiring.

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