Kane County court system tells board to find cuts elsewhere

Kane County court system officials told county board members Monday they really meant it when they said they couldn't cut their bottom lines any more, and they won't "fudge" their numbers to make the county's budget appear balanced.

As a result, other county departments looking at a 4.5 percent funding cut heading into next year may be facing an even deeper reduction in their funding levels.

Monday marked the start of three days of 2010 budget hearings for county departments that report to the board's Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Six departments, all related to the court system, made new presentations to the committee following a reprimand from County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay that asking for more money in 2010 just can't happen.

And yet, Monday's presentations resulted in only one of the six court-related departments saying they can make more cuts.

State's Attorney John Barsanti said he'll continue to leave staff positions unfilled to help cut his budget an additional 3.5 percent next year. But if you factor in the county's rising health insurance costs to Barsanti's budget, it wipes out those savings.

Barsanti said he can't cut corners with cases.

"If I'm faced with that decision at some point about whether to hire a witness on a serious felony case or not, I'm going to hire that witness," he said. "I can't pick and choose what crime I'm going to put all my resources into."

All five other department heads, including those overseen by Chief Judge F. Keith Brown, said they've cut everything they could. With crime up in a down economy, most areas of the court system said they need more money.

Among them, the Juvenile Custody department is asking for nearly double the money it received last year. Brown said the request comes because he doesn't want the county to deal with "fake numbers" any more.

The department will be $300,000 over its 2009 budget, and has said so for a long time. Given that and the need for a salary increases, the department is seeking about $1.7 million next year, compared to the $950,000 it was budgeted this year.

"What's happened in the past is that they'd put in a budget number that wasn't real," Brown said. "They'd put in a number, then come back later and ask for an increase."

Officials explained they'd put in the numbers knowing if they asked for what they really thought they needed, it would just be cut by the county board to create a balanced budget.

"I want the budget number to reflect actual reality," Brown said. "I don't want fake numbers."

In similar fashion, the public defender's office, the judiciary and courts departments and court services administration all said they can't cut anymore.

Brown then sent out a warning shot of sorts that any more cuts may meet with legal retaliation. If push comes to shove, Brown could force funding from the county board.

"If we get to the point where we're not operating, and I can't perform the functions of the court system, I'm going to write a court order," Brown said. "I'm not saying that as a threat. I want to work with you."

After the meeting, committee members said they were convinced the court system can't take any more cuts.

"I'm not sure the 4.5 percent comes out of here," County Board Member Deborah Allan said. "Nine percent may have to come from somewhere else."