The Whispering Pines Village Council approved a budget reduction of slightly more than 3 percent at its regular agenda meeting last week.

Council member Randy Saunders, who also serves as treasurer, made the proposal at the council's December meeting.

He cited a possible reduction in state funding for municipalities and a recommendation from the League of Municipalities that governments should reduce their budgets by 6 percent.

The council charged Village Manager Steve DeBolt and the village's department heads with the task of cutting as many unnecessary expenditures as possible, with a goal of 3 percent The reduction of $76,710 slightly exceeds that goal.

Mayor Bob Zschoche said that because the economy is so unpredictable, it was important for the village to be proactive.

"Our revenue is forecasted and is not in hand yet," he said. "We're just doing a little preventive medicine here."

Council member Molly Boggis praised the village staff for their efforts.

"You did a good job and you did it quickly," she said.

In other business, DeBolt reported:

Stump removal along the Pine Lake dam was progressing well.

The second draft of the Land Development Ordinance would be available in the near future.

Work on new community pavilion at Thagard Lake Park had been completed. The final inspection was recently approved by the county.

The Police Department was recognized at the Governor's Highway Safety State Law Enforcement Summit with the Director's Award for 2008 for the department's work in reducing the number of traffic accidents in the village.

A farewell reception for Chief Louis Gregory will be held at the Whispering Pines Country Club on Jan. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Gregory, who has served as the village's chief for the past five years, will retire on Feb. 1.

Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.