ECC budget nearly doubles with construction projects

It's a hefty increase, but an expected one.

With construction of several new campus facilities well under way, Elgin Community College trustees have approved a $166.7 million budget - a $79 million increase from last year.

Virtually all of that increase - $65.8 million - will be spent on construction costs.

Voters in April 2009 narrowly passed a $178 million tax increase - the first half of an effort to fully renovate the college by 2030.

The increase, according to college estimates, works out to about 31/2 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation.

For the owner of a $200,000 home, taxes will rise by approximately $23 in the first year; for the owner of a $350,000 home, about $40.

In recent months, work began on the college's new $26 million library, $55 million health careers center and $18.6 million multipurpose building.

ECC will also spend $10.8 million to pay down its bond and interest fund - paying in principal and interest the money it has spent on the bonds it had issued.

Aside from contractual obligations for employee salary increases, Vice President of Business and Finance Sharon Konny said, the college is holding the line on spending in a majority of other areas.

The college is tied to negotiated salary increases for several employee groups.

Konny said faculty salaries will increase between 5.5 and 7.6 percent, depending on tenure and years of experience. Support staff salaries will increase by 5.7 to 6 percent, and nonunion administrative salaries will increase by 5.5 percent. Each will go into effect in July. It is not yet know how much health benefit costs will increase.

Spending in the operations and maintenance, capital projects fund, liability and auxiliary expense funds will all remain level. Travel and conference expenses will not increase next year.

Spending in the college's education fund will increase by $4 million, but mainly because of instructional supply costs from increased enrollment, Konny said.

With 11,345 students registered on the first day of the second semester, Elgin Community College's "first day" spring 2010 enrollment was the highest in college history, President David Sam said in January.

Most of ECC's operating budget revenue - nearly 58 percent - comes from property taxes. Just shy of 30 percent comes from tuition and fees; 12 percent from the state.