DuPage seeks to hold the line on property taxes
DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin is recommending a budget for fiscal 2016 that won't increase property taxes for a fifth consecutive year.
Cronin unveiled the proposed $443.8 spending plan during Tuesday night's county board meeting. The proposal calls for the county's property tax levy to remain flat at $66.9 million.
"We offer up for your consideration a balanced budget using the resources taxpayers give us, and we're not asking for one additional dime," Cronin said during a 17-minute speech to county board members. "We're living within our means. We're pursuing new ways to fund projects, including grants and public-private partnerships."
In addition, Cronin said, the county is "optimizing best practices in management, procurement and operations" to provide community service for the same cost.
"I am very pleased to say that DuPage County taxpayers will not face an increase in the county portion of their property taxes for (fiscal) 2016," Cronin said.
County government accounts for less than 3 percent of the property tax bill in DuPage, according to the county clerk's office. The owner of a $300,000 home pays about $205 a year to the county.
One reason DuPage can afford to hold the line on property taxes is its sales tax revenue is projected to grow by 4.8 percent to $100.8 million.
However, the county is expecting to get less money from the state as a result of Illinois' ongoing budgetary problems.
The county-run DuPage Convalescent Center recently lost more than 12 percent of its reimbursements because of reductions in state funding, according to Cronin.
"When the dust settles in Springfield, a new normal will emerge and we must all adapt," Cronin said. "Together, all departments, all countywide elected officials will sacrifice as we adjust to this new, more austere landscape."
When it comes to expenses, Cronin's proposed budget calls for the county to spend roughly $5.7 million less than its 2015 budget. Still existing levels of service would be maintained, officials said.
An estimated $56.5 million would be set aside for capital improvements, including stormwater, drainage and road construction projects. DuPage's full-time head count as part of the plan would be 2,216 positions.
To combat heroin, the budget plan calls for the county to spend $100,000 to educate students about the dangers of the drug. The money also would help pay for Project Connect - a new effort that connects heroin overdose survivors with the treatment and support they need to stay clean.
"Our goal is to make sure these victims don't fall through the cracks in the system and wind up using drugs again before they can get into treatment," Cronin said.
County board members have until Nov. 30 to approve a final draft of the budget. In the meantime, board committees will review the proposed spending plan and suggest changes. DuPage's fiscal year starts Dec. 1.