WEST DUNDEE -- The village's latest annual audit report was business as usual, despite the tough economy.

For more than 15 years, West Dundee has prided itself on truthful and accurate revenue and expenditure reporting, and this last audit was no exception, officials said.

"This isn't something new," Village President Larry Keller said. "I think this will be our 16th award in a row for excellence in financial reporting. It shows we have done it over a long period of time."

The audit for the 2008 fiscal year essentially demonstrates that there are no significant differences between the village's reported numbers in both revenue and expenditures and the actual numbers. The demonstration of responsible and accurate financial reports were a point of pride, especially for Keller.

"These were last year's numbers, so they ended April 30," he said. "It's great to see the numbers are what they are. Do we wish they were larger numbers? Of course. We'd love to see larger revenue numbers so we could see some larger expenditures."

A wish for more income certainly is not unique to West Dundee, but the drop in revenue had been expected. As recently as a few years ago, the majority of the village's revenue came from retail sales taxes. Since then, that percentage of the village's revenue from the sales tax, including what is derived from Spring Hill Mall, has dropped significantly, from about 60 percent of its income to about 30 percent.

"About five or six years ago, we were able to see trouble ahead, and made adjustments," Keller said. "It isn't what I've done. I'm really proud of our employees."

He went on to name several from the finance department, public works, and Village Manager Joe Cavallaro as chiefly responsible for the foresight.

"They saw that sales tax revenue from local businesses and the mall were falling, and made adjustments," he said.

Overcoming this hurdle has helped West Dundee keep services that residents depend upon out of jeopardy, according to Keller.

"We have been doing more with less," said Keller. "We have been tightening our belts, but not in a way that's detrimental to our residents, and I'm truly proud of that."