DuPage's proposed budget holds line on property taxes

Saying DuPage government is sensitive to the needs of taxpayers, county board Chairman Dan Cronin is proposing a budget for 2015 that won't increase property taxes.

Cronin on Tuesday presented a $447.2 million spending plan that is being referred to as a "maintenance" budget.

While the proposal calls for tens of millions of dollars in funding for capital projects, the county's full-time head count would remain largely unchanged at 2,225 positions. Cronin said the largest single area of cost for the county is personnel.

"I've outlined for you a program of fiscal restraint and creative, responsible use of taxpayer dollars," Cronin said during a 16-minute speech to the county board. "This approach squeezes value out of every single dollar to provide the highest level of service possible for our citizens."

The chairman said there is "positive news" for the county because sales tax revenue is projected to grow by 3.75 percent to $94.1 million in 2015.

As a result, county officials again plan to keep the property tax levy flat at $66.6 million. It would be the fourth year in a row the levy remains unchanged.

"We are trying to be as friendly and as sensitive to the plight of our taxpayers," Cronin said. "At the same time ... we will fulfill our commitment and our obligation to county government serving the community, people in need."

County government accounts for nearly 2 percent of the tax bill in DuPage, according to the county clerk's office. School districts receive about 73 percent of the tax bill and municipalities account for about 9.7 percent. The owner of a $300,000 home pays roughly $197 annually in taxes to the county.

When it comes to expenses, the proposed budget calls for $55.3 million to be set aside for capital improvements, including stormwater, drainage and road construction projects.

DuPage's nonunion employees would receive 2 percent cost-of-living increases as part of the proposal. The county's pension burden, meanwhile, has decreased, in part, because of healthy pension investment returns and the implementation of a reduced pension plan for newer employees, officials said.

Several initiatives are expected to get funding in 2015, including $100,000 for a public education campaign targeted at heroin prevention. The county began the campaign this year to inform families about warning signs and where to find help.

"We seem to be making significant progress on the issue with the resources that we've committed to it," said Cronin, adding the county is partnering with the Robert Crown Center for Health Education to offer a comprehensive opioid prevention education program at area schools. "We'll stay on the job as long as is necessary.

The county also is expected to continue to offer $1 million in grant money to human services agencies. Recipients of the grants include organizations serving homeless youth, seniors, veterans and the unemployed, officials said.

County board members have until Nov. 30 to approve a final draft of the budget. In the meantime, board committees will review the proposed spending plan and suggest changes. The county's fiscal year starts Dec. 1.