Inverness E-Newsletter - November 22, 2023

Message from Mayor Jack Tatooles

Dear Inverness Residents,

Village is Debt-Free with Final 2008 Bond Payment

This month, the Village has fulfilled a significant financial commitment as the last payment on the 2008 $9.5 million General Obligation Bond has been made, rendering the Village completely debt-free. This achievement marks a testament to prudent financial management and responsible governance, setting the stage for a more secure and promising future.

Village Financial Update

Earlier this year, the Village Board gave its approval to the Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2024, covering the period from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. The Financial Plan highlights a reduction of $36,400 (0.80%) in General Fund expenditures in comparison to the preceding fiscal year. In December, the Village Board is set to consider the 2023 Tax Levy, due in 2024, amounting to $2,293,500. This proposed tax levy reflects a decrease of $324,000 from the prior total tax levy. This reduction stems from the savings realized due to the absence of further bond payments.

The real estate tax component of your property tax bill, contributing 6% to 8% of the total, remains a crucial part. A significant portion of your tax bill, over 70%, is allocated to local school districts.

For additional details regarding your property taxes, please refer to the Cook County Property Tax Portal at https://www.cookcountypropertyinfo.com/.

On behalf of myself and the Board of Trustees, we extend warm wishes to you and your family for a safe and healthy Holiday Season.

Jack Tatooles

Mayor

Inverness First Responders Conduct Simulation Exercise

On October 30th, the Village of Inverness undertook a comprehensive evaluation of its ability to handle and respond to simulated weather-related emergencies. This tabletop exercise brought together personnel from the Village of Inverness, the Inverness Police Department, and the Inverness and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection Districts, with coordination facilitated by the Joint Emergency Management System.

The simulated emergency scenario depicted the second day after a major storm causing damage to multiple residences, utility disruptions, and numerous non-life-threatening injuries. The primary focus of the tabletop exercise was to assess the effectiveness of the Village Emergency Operation Plan, Incident Command System, Traffic and Access Control, Communication, Personnel Safety, and Emergency Management Services.

Holy Family Catholic Community took part in a training exercise involving the simulation of activating a Mass Care and Sheltering Plan. The emphasis of this exercise was on furnishing shelter occupants with food and beverages, establishing a sleeping area equipped with blankets and personal hygiene supplies, offering first aid and healthcare services, and addressing pet-related needs. Beyond aiding residents in distress, the exercise also examined the necessary material, equipment, and manpower resources to effectively support the shelter.

Mayor Jack Tatooles emphasized the importance of the regularly scheduled emergency operation training exercise, stating, "This provides an excellent opportunity to continually enhance our skills in managing natural disasters. Through this exercise, we can evaluate our emergency plans, infrastructure, and the performance of our first responders and supporting agencies, identifying areas for further improvement."

It’s the Season of Giving - On Going

Toys for Tots Drive: Toys must be newly purchased and still in their packaging.

Winter Coat Drive: New or gently used adult and children’s coats are needed for the PATH (Palatine Assisting Through Hope) organization.

Toys and coats may be dropped off at the Inverness Village Hall or at the Inverness Police Department.

Inverness Vacation Watch Program

The Inverness Police Department provides a complimentary Vacation Watch program for residents anticipating time away from home. Our officers will conduct daily checks on your residence to ensure there are no indications of suspicious activity. You can download the Vacation Watch form here or obtain a copy from the Police Department or Village Hall.

Before embarking on your winter trip, the Inverness Police Department recommends the following:

Make arrangements to have your mail forwarded, held at the post office, or picked up daily.
Sign up for Informed Delivery by USPS, to get daily emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive.
Suspend newspaper deliveries for the duration of your absence.
Refrain from announcing your absence on social media.
Provide one or more neighbors with a reachable phone number for emergency notifications.
Create a "lived-in" appearance for your home by utilizing timers for lights and a radio. Vary the activation times to avoid predictability. Never leave mail in a centralized location, such as the kitchen table, where it might signal your absence.

9 pm Security Check

The Inverness Police Department would like to remind everyone about a simple nightly security routine to safeguard their belongings and enhance home security. Residents are encouraged to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock vehicle and residence doors, illuminate exterior areas, and activate alarms and security systems.

Criminals often target easy opportunities. By following a 9pm routine, you can make it more challenging for them. A significant number of vehicle burglaries, and to a lesser extent, stolen vehicles, result from unlocked cars. Criminals stroll through neighborhoods, checking vehicle handles in the hope of finding an unlocked car. The most effective prevention involves removing valuables, locking vehicle doors, and bringing keys inside.

At 9:00 pm daily, perform a security check to confirm:

Vehicles, residences, garages, windows, gates, and sheds are all securely locked.
Tools, bikes, keys, and other valuables are either secured or brought indoors.
Activate exterior lights, security cameras, and alarm systems.

Keep the Wreath Red

As the festive season approaches, the Barrington Countryside and Inverness Fire Protection Districts want to ensure that the holiday cheer is accompanied by the utmost safety. This year, let's keep the wreath red!

Inspect Festive Lights: Before decking the halls, thoroughly check your holiday lights. Any signs of wear or fraying mean it's time to replace them.
Candle Care: Keep your nights serene and safe. Always place candles away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
Hydrate Your Tree: A dry tree is a fire hazard. Water your Christmas tree daily to keep it green, fresh, and safe.
Kitchen Vigilance: The holiday feast is a time of joy, but remain alert. Never leave your cooking unattended and keep a fire extinguisher within reach.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Test your alarms monthly and ensure they are in working order. A functioning alarm can be the difference between a safe holiday and a dangerous one.
The Red Wreath Promise: The 'Keep the Wreath Red' program is a reminder that for every fire-free day, the wreath remains red.

Final Yard Waste Collection

The final yard waste collection is Thursday, December 14th.

Yard waste collection season will resume on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Inverness Park District's Hometown Holiday

Visit with Santa at Inverness Park District's Hometown Holiday, on Friday, December 1, 2023, beginning at 5:00pm.

This event will be held at North Park located at 300 N Highland Rd., Inverness, IL 60067.

More information can be found on the Inverness Park District Website at invernessparkdistrict.com

Palatine Township Is Open For Property Valuation Appeals

The Cook County Board of Review is now accepting property valuation appeals for Palatine Township until December 12, 2023. The evidence deadline is December 22, 2023.

Click for a hard copy of the complaint form

Click to file the appeal online.