Gurnee budget: Still no property tax
Gurnee officials Monday night unveiled a $50 million budget proposed for 2011-12, which includes expected revenue increases from sales taxes and red-light camera violations.
Village Administrator James Hayner made the budget presentation to trustees and Mayor Kristina Kovarik. He noted it’ll be another budget without property tax revenue, something that’s been the case in Gurnee since 2000.
Still, when residents pay more in taxes, not everyone knows Gurnee village government isn’t part of the bill. Hayner said Gurnee is one of five Illinois municipalities not imposing a property tax.
“When property tax bills go up, I always get a variety of calls on the issue,” Hayner said.
Gurnee’s $50 million budget proposed for 2011-12 is up from the previous $47 million spending plan. The municipal budget runs from May 1 to April 30.
Sales taxes — the village’s largest revenue source — are projected to rise about $900,000 to $15.7 million. Last year, the initial projection was that sales tax would be roughly $14.9 million, the lowest since Gurnee’s 2000-01 budget.
Gurnee’s 2011-12 budget projects receiving $2.1 million from fines and forfeitures, which includes red-light camera violations, DUI impoundment fees and liquor-license offenses. The budget shows the take would be a 23 percent hike from the current budget.
Red-light camera violations are expected to account for $1.5 million of the $2.1 million in revenue under the fines and forfeitures heading. Court fines are forecast to bring in about $395,000.
Gurnee’s cash reserves are projected to be about $21.6 million when the new budget begins May 1. The village also carries highly regarded bond ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.
“Our reserves are strong and our outstanding debt is very low,” Hayner told the village board.
Kovarik said Gurnee’s proposed 2011-12 balanced budget demonstrates the village’s strength and good fiscal management.
During last year’s budget talks, some officials voiced frustration that village government is obligated to provide $390,000 annually to the Gurnee Park District for a loan that paid for the $6 million Hunt Club Park Aquatic Complex. The park district is a separate taxing agency and opened the pool in 2002.
Gurnee village board members will review the proposed 2011-12 budget in three more sessions before the document is up for final approval April 4. Presentations from village departments are scheduled for March 14.