Kane board has some cash to spend

While many taxpayers are pondering how to spend money coming from the federal government in the form of an expected economic stimulus package, the Kane County Board is trying to decide what to do with the county's $1.1 million budget surplus.

Under a plan discussed Tuesday by the county board's finance committee, part of that surplus would be used to buy several new vehicles for the Kane County sheriff's and state's attorney's offices. The estimated cost of the replacement vehicles is $300,000, which includes two new vehicles for full-time investigators at the state's attorney's office and several new squad cars for the sheriff's office.

The board's judicial/public safety committee is expected to consider the request next month, finance director Cheryl Pattelli said.

But some committee members said the board should hold off on allocating the funds until determining the cost of the two special elections needed to choose a candidate to fulfill the unexpired term of retired U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert.

"Wouldn't it be nice to know what the election will cost before spending the money on something else?" said committee member Jim Mitchell, a North Aurora Republican.

County Clerk Jack Cunningham promised to provide a cost estimate to the board next week. The special primary is Tuesday -- the same day as the regular primary -- and the special general election is March 8.

"That ($1.1 million) will cover it," Cunningham quipped.

Although expenditures were lower than expected in the overall fiscal 2007 budget, several county departments overspent. The sheriff's office spent $3.7 million -- $1.4 million more than budgeted -- just to house inmates outside of the overcrowded Kane County Jail in Geneva. Others over budget include the merit commission, coroner's office, building management department, state's attorney's office and judiciary.

Fiscal 2007 ended Nov. 30. An audit is expected to be finalized in May.