Kane County looks at hiring freeze, more cuts

Because income is down and costs are up, the Kane County Board's finance committee agreed Tuesday to recommend freezing hiring, starting in September.

The county executive committee will consider the move Sept. 3.

County board Chairman Karen McConnaughay suggested the hiring freeze as part of a three-point request for budget year 2009, which starts Dec. 1.

She also called for all departments and offices reduce their 2009 budgets by 1.5 percent from what they are expected to spend in 2008, and that all elected officials and department heads forgo their scheduled pay raises.

"We simply must find ways to become more efficient," McConnaughay said.

But county board member Jim Mitchell pointed out that some departments and offices, such as the sheriff, the circuit court clerk and the county clerk, have the power to set their own budgets and have state-mandated duties they must perform. He suggested that instead, the county board look at firing lobbyists and consultants.

McConnaughay said that it should be left up to departments to determine how they want to spend their money. "That's what you've been elected for. You figure it out," she said, after a question from Treasurer David Rickert about cutting employees or the inability to cut pay of unionized employees.

Finance Director Cheryl Pattelli said she expects property tax revenue to decline, as the amount of new construction in Kane County is down due to a slumping economy. Sales tax revenue is also down an average of 6 percent this year, compared to what was collected last year. If that continues, it will mean $1.6 million less in the general fund, she said.

Sales tax supplies 6 percent to 8 percent of the money in that fund, she said.

Revenue from building permits and developer fees are down also.

Mitchell also said that elected officials and employees legally can't refuse already-approved pay increases; but they could choose to return the money to the county, he said.

The committee also learned that the adult prisoner outplacement expenses are already nearly double what was budgeted, with four months left to go. The sheriff also budgeted $300,000 for gasoline, but as of July 31 had spent $308,519.