ECC earmarks $3 million for funds, salaries

Elgin Community College plans to spend an additional $3 million on salary and benefits for the upcoming school year, according to the tentative 2008 budget released this month.

New administrative positions and a new teacher employment contract drive the 8.4 percent increase, assistant vice president of finance Sharon Konny said.

Allowance for raises for administrators and support staff also account for the increase, Konny said.

Konny would not disclose the dollar amount of the anticipated raises built into the tentative budget, citing ongoing contract negotiations with support staff.

The tentative budget, on display for public viewing, calls for ECC to spend $80.7æmillion during the 2007-2008 school year, down from $80.8 million last year.

ECC trimmed $4.5 million from its budget by paying off the majority of its construction bonds last year.

But operating expenses, including money for salaries and maintenance, increased by 12 percent, to $62.1 million.

Nearly 71 percent of ECC's operating expenditures go toward salaries and benefits.

Local taxpayers foot the bulk of the bill.

Of the 2008 operating revenue, 57 percent will come from property taxes; 27 percent from tuition and student fees; and 13 percent from the state, according to the tentative budget.

The tentative budget calls for students to pay $16.7 million in tuition and fees.

For the 2008 school year, trustees raised tuition by 8æpercent, to $91 per credit hour.

Trustees will hold a public hearing and vote on the tentative 2008 budget during the Aug. 14 board meeting.