Kane County inching toward budget answers

Kane County has yet to figure out exactly where its bottom line will fall at the end of the current fiscal year, but a couple moves in the works could help make next year's budget a bit easier to juggle.

The county board's Administration Committee agreed to tour the old Sixth Street School building in Geneva next month as a prelude to a decision about possibly selling it. The building is currently occupied by the regional superintendent of schools. However, the Kane County Forest Preserve District recently moved its offices to the Fox Valley Ice Arena, freeing up space for the superintendent and staff to move into the Kane County Government Center.

The Geneva Public Library has already expressed an interest in purchasing the old school building by securing a right of first refusal if the county puts the property up for sale. Library staff confirmed Thursday that the right of refusal remains in place.

Administration Committee Chairman Jim Mitchell, of North Aurora, said he couldn't guess what the old school would be worth, but agreed that the county could use the money right now. The county is trying to avoid closing the financial books in the red as it did last year. Forecasts for next year aren't expected to be any better.

Also on Thursday, the county board's Human Services Committee began interviewing potential new health insurance brokers and consultants. Board members recently learned employees have a much less expensive health insurance plan than most people with jobs in the private sector.

The county could save about $371,000 by increasing premiums to, for example, $401 a month for family PPO coverage. That would be an increase of about $108 per month. Board members have already said they wouldn't increase costs until 2010. Some board members have said insurance premiums shouldn't be raised at all. Any major changes to insurance for union employees would have to be agreed upon at the bargaining table.