HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
2018 was a very eventful year for Round Lake. It is always encouraging to look at the previous year’s goals and see all that we accomplished. We continue to implement our pavement analysis with major street improvements. Other projects in which we have made great progress include retro fitting street lights with cost efficient LED fixtures, planting parkway trees and sidewalk repairs. This past year we successfully addressed abandoned and blighted properties. Our Police Department provided successful outreach programs. These are tangible and visible projects that increase the quality of life for our residents. Many accomplishments are not as visible. We now have a full-time Community and Economic Director to spur economic growth and support existing businesses. The Board of Trustees approved our first Strategic Plan to keep us on pace with our directives. 

We will continue to identify opportunities to improve the future of Round Lake. Focusing on economic development, encouraging commercial and industrial businesses to locate to Round Lake and identify opportunities to diversify revenue sources. We look forward to the completion of the second CLCJAWA water delivery structure at the south end of town which will significantly increase water pressure and capacity. We will continue to work with Lake County and other agencies like IDOT and the Illinois Tollway Authority to address local and regional traffic. There is much work to be done. Our Elected Officials and Administration have created the plans and objectives to best provide for the future of Round Lake.

If you have any comments, questions or ideas you would like to see included in the e-newsletter, please email me at dmacgillis@eroundlake.com.

Myself, elected officials and all our employees wish you a very Happy New Year.  

                                          Sincerely,
                                                  Mayor Dan MacGillis
 
2018: Year in Review & Look Ahead
Accomplishments of 2018
2018 was an eventful year in Round Lake, from infrastructure improvements to intergovernmental cooperation. Here are some of our highlights from 2018:
  • Over $1.1 million invested in street improvements.
  • Worked with other Round Lake Area communities on shared service initiatives.
  • Recruited a full time Director of Economic & Community Development.
  • Welcomed 14 new businesses to Round Lake.
  • Implemented several new operational policies.
  • Upgraded 155 street light fixtures to high efficiency LED and replaced approximately 5,500 square feet of sidewalk.
  • Planted 170 parkway trees and started a tree trimming program.
Look ahead to 2019
As we look ahead in 2019, our emphasis will be to keep the momentum going. 2019 Village goals include:
  • Implementation of the new sign code, rental registration program, and vacant/foreclosed property registration.
  • Conversion and implementation of a new financial software system, including enhanced utility billing functionality for residents.
  • Continue working with Lake County on the Cedar Lake Road Realignment project.
  • Continue to identify opportunities to diversity the Village’s revenue sources. 
  • Complete construction of the second CLCJAWA delivery structure.
  • Participate in the 911 Regional Consolidation efforts.
  • Strive to formalize shared services initiatives with other Round Lake Area entities.
Water and Sewer Rate Study
In 2010, Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers conducted a Water and Sewer Rate Study for the Village of Round Lake. At the conclusion of the study, Baxter & Woodman determined that significant rate increases were necessary in order to address reasonable goals for continued system operation, equipment replacement and capital improvements and hence recommended rate increases consistent with their study. At that time, with the economy still reeling from the 2008 Financial Crisis and Great Recession, the Village Board chose to implement just a fraction of the recommended rate increases. Starting in 2010, water and sewer rates were increased minimally each year, with the last increase occurring in 2014.

In late 2017, the Village of Round Lake hired RHMG Engineers, Inc. to conduct another 5-year Water and Sewer Rate Study. The study sought to develop fair and equitable water and sewer rates and fees on a cost of service basis, to allow the Village to collect sufficient revenues for the operation, maintenance, replacement, and improvement of its water and sewer systems; namely, $11.84 million in planned capital infrastructure projects. 

In December 2018, the Village Board, based on recommendations from staff, approved RHMG’s “Alternate B” recommendation. The new rate, summarized below, will be effective for the March 1, 2019 utility bills. In addition to the table below, the Village Board and staff encourage you to view RHMG’s Water and Sewer Rate Study and their Power Point presentation .
Attention Landlords..Registration Due!
The new Residential Rental Program establishes an annual registration process and requires an inspection at every change of tenant, prior to occupancy.

All owners of a residential rental unit in the Village of Round Lake, whether in a multi-unit building or a single-family home, must register each unit and obtain a Certificate of Compliance prior to change of tenant. In order to obtain a Certificate of Compliance, the property owner must pass a Rental Occupancy Inspection.

Registration and payment are available online at www.eroundlake.com/rentalprogram and due no later than February 1   st   .
Christmas Tree Disposal
Waste Management will collect Christmas trees the first two weeks of January. The trees must be free of decorations, lights and un-bagged. All clean trees will be recycled. Trees collected after these dates will be collected as trash. Trees longer than 6ft in length must be cut in half.

Consider donating your holiday tree to the Lake County Forest Preserves, and they will recycle it into wood chips for trails and landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a drop-off site now through February 1.
Recycling Reboot
IEPA Curbside Recycling Guide
Recently the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency developed and launched a new webpage to answer recycling questions for Illinois residents. Visit their interactive Curbside Recycling Guide to learn more about what to put in your curbside recycling bin, what to keep out, and ask questions!
Recycle Your Holiday Lights
Don't throw away those old or unusable lights. Recycle them instead! To find a drop off location near you visit, www.swalco.org/Holiday-Lights-Recycling.


Textile Collection Program
Donate your new and gently used clothing and textiles, which will be reused and allow the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County to continue programs. Your worn out and stained items also can be recycled, turning them into usable new products. Bring your items to the collection bin located in the parking lot at the Village Hall or one of these  drop off locations .
Recycle Your Old Shoes!!
The Village is proud to partner with SWALCO in the Reuse-A-Shoe program. Residents may recycle old unwanted shoes in the collection bin at Village Hall. Athletic shoes are among the most popular types of shoes purchased today and millions of them, in addition to other types of shoes, end up in our landfills each year.

All sizes and brands are accepted. We will not accept moldy or wet shoes, ice skates, rollerblades and snow boots. Please tie laces or rubber band your pairs together before you drop them off.
Electronic Recycling
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is continuing its residential electronics recycling program. Lake County residents can bring electronics free of charge to the Grant Township road district facility. View complete list of locations that accept residential electronics, and view accepted and unacceptable items .
Fiscal Year 2018 Audit Results
The Village Board recently reviewed and accepted the Annual Financial Report (AFR) for fiscal year ended April 30, 2018. The AFR is the end result of the audit process and presents financial statements for all of the Village's accounting funds. In addition to financial data, the auditors review the Village’s internal controls as well as policies and procedures. As in previous years, the 2018 audit concluded the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Village. 

The General Fund, which funds the bulk of services such as public safety and street and property maintenance activities, achieved an excess of revenues over expenditures in 2018 of $784,924 before transferring $1.2 million to other funds supporting future infrastructure projects and debt service obligations. At the end of 2018, the General Fund's ending Fund Balance equaled $5.1 million, a decrease of $169,500 from the prior year.

 The Village continued to invest in infrastructure, which included resurfacing of Nippersink Road, completion of the MacGillis Bridge over Squaw Creek, a complete renovation of the Cambridge lift station, and the purchase of Public Safety and Public Works vehicles. Round Lake continued its efforts to improve its financial position in 2018 by retiring 7.23% or $875,000 of the debt outstanding at the beginning of the year. At the end of 2018, the Village had total outstanding debt of $11,225,000.

The Village has maintained financial discipline during the turbulent economic events of the past several years by maintaining minimum staffing levels, controlling operating expenses, and continuing to provide services as efficiently as possible. Revenues and expenses continue to be monitored closely to meet future obligations while maintaining adequate fund balances.
Village Adopts New Building Codes
The International Code Council (ICC) is the respected agency for researching, producing, verifying and training for building construction codes. The Village was following the 2006 codes with minor local amendments and has now adopted the 2018 ICC building codes with minor amendments. 

Some highlights of the new codes include: 
  • New code sections for solar panel installations, car charging stations, and deck construction. 
  • Fire sprinklers are required to be an option for all new one and two family units and town-home construction. 
  • The 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, a code not previously adopted by the Village has been adopted. 

Along with the code adoption, the permit fees have also been updated. 

The Village will add best practices onto the Village’s website to provide guidance for residents. The policy of requiring a copy of the Certificate of Insurance for contractors doing work on private property has been eliminated while the requirement of receiving approval from the Homeowner Associations has remained. Residents are encouraged to view the Village website for permit handouts, building permit application, fee schedule and tips for selecting a contractor.

Implementation of the new buildings codes, amendments and fee structure are now effective. Any building permit currently in for review or under construction would continue under the previous codes and fee schedule.
Code Enforcement FAQ's
Q) When do I need to remove my holiday lights and why?
A) The National Electric Code (NEC 2005) limits the installation of temporary holiday decorative lighting to a maximum of 90 days. The wiring used in decorative holiday lighting is not designed for or approved for continuous exposure to the elements.

Q) Where I live in town there are no curbs or gutters, can I park there?
A) No, this is the public parkway. Vehicles, by code (RLMC 10.16.110), cannot be parked on a parkway or on any non-improved surface such as grass or gravel.  
Holiday House Decorating Contest Winners
A big thank you to all those that participated in the holiday house decorating contest!
The winners are.......

1st place - Villegas family, 2039 W. Savannah Pkwy (pictured below)
2nd place - Albeck family, 791 S. Sienna Drive
3rd place - O’Rourke family, 255 W. Blackthorn Court
Winter Weather Driving Safety
Lake County Division of Transportation has an interactive mapping tool to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at what goes in their snow and ice removal operations. Find which snow plow routes you encounter on your way to work or school, see what happens during a typical snow event, and connect with resources that will help you know before you go! Check it out

Remember...Don't crowd the plow.  When plow trucks are out, remember to stay back at least 50 feet or two to three car lengths, due to road conditions and so the plow operators can see your vehicles. The Public Works snowplow operators are extremely safety conscious, but they need your help. Stay back, and let them do their job of cleaning the road for you. 
Additional News and Updates
Congratulations!  Officer Michelle Hernandez celebrated her 5th anniversary with the Police Department. Congratulations and thank you for your service and dedication!
Village Officials would like to welcome 4 County Constructio n located downtown at 514 N. Cedar Lake Road. 4 County Construction is a family owned and operated business, who specializes in roofing, siding, gutters and window services. Please stop in and welcome 4 County Construction to the community.                     
Vaping Awareness Workshop. ..Parents, students, and community members are invited to attend a presentation on vaping use. Representatives from Lake County Health Department, Round Lake Police, and District 116 Administration will discuss what vaping is, how it is used, the products used, the health impact, and consequence of vaping in school.

The presentation will be held at Round Lake High School on Tuesday January 15th at 7:00 pm. For more information visit: www.rlas-116.org .
Thank You! A special thank you to everyone who volunteered and attended the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Village Officials
Dan MacGillis, Mayor
Debbie Perlini, Clerk
Trustees
Charlie Foy, Henry Frye Jr., Russell Kraly,
Don Newby, Sanjay Patel, Jake Mandelman