McHenry County closer to balanced budget

In August, the financial forecast in McHenry County was bleak with officials predicting a $3 million budget deficit next year. Now, just a couple of months later, the financial situation is brighter.

At a county board meeting Tuesday, administrators presented a list of spending cuts and expanded revenues that whittle the budget gap to less than $100,000.

Cuts include freezing 15 unfilled positions and eliminating two others, which will save the county more than $460,000 in salaries and benefits, County Administrator Peter Austin said. The unfilled positions are in addition to the 25 positions that are currently frozen.

“A $97,000 deficit is what I consider manageable when you are dealing with a budget as large as ours, Austin said. “We will finish fiscal year ‘10 in the black. At this point last year we were looking at a budget shortfall of $275,000. We're feeling pretty good.

Staff had reduced the deficit to about $800,000 from $3 million through a set of cuts, new revenue estimates and the bed rental program in the jail.

Furthermore, overtime budgets for 10 of the county's departments will be reduced next year some up to 97 percent and the county will contribute less to organizations such as the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. and the McHenry County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

The overtime reductions and contributions are projected to save the county about $219,500, Austin said.

County Board Chairman Ken Koehler said he is confident staff will develop a balanced budget before the document is approved next month. He said he did not expect additional cuts.

“What we're trying to do is get it down to a completely balanced budget, Koehler said. “We should have it zeroed out before we bring it forward. We are under $100,000, so we are doggone close. What's difficult is that we don't have a good handle on revenue. It is a lot more volatile.