Citing the current economic uncertainty, the Peoria Heights Village Board voted to defer a cost-of-living pay hike to non-union, non-contractual employees until more current revenue data is available.

The vote was 4-2, with Trustees Brandon Wisenburg, Diane Mariscal, Sarah DeVore and Sherryl Carter in the affirmative.

The proposed increases of 3 percent would have covered just six employees, three in the police department, three at Village Hall.

Trustees Jeff Goett and Elizabeth Khazzam defended the pay hikes, saying the total cost to taxpayers – under $10,000 – and the Village’s large budget surplus from the previous fiscal year make them affordable, despite the current crisis.

“You have all done an amazing job to get us into the black … well into the black” regarding the budget, said Khazzam. “None of us have a crystal ball. But I feel like this $10,000 is money well spent.”

Mayor Michael Phelan and Village Administrator Dustin Sutton also recommended the raises, arguing that the village’s finances are routinely monitored. If the current budget trajectory changes, “we’re going to have to make some corrections.” but until that happens, if it happens, the compensation jumps are warranted, said Phelan.

“We will not be overspending this year,” promised Sutton. “It falls on me.”

“Obviously these people work hard, they deserve increases,” acknowledged Wisenburg, who nonetheless pushed for a delay until near the end of this fiscal year’s first quarter, at the end of July. Until then, “raising any expenses is not a proper thing to do.”