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How Kane County beat budget projections for a third straight year

For the third consecutive year, it appears Kane County will close the books on 2015 in the black.

With only a few outstanding expenses and revenues, figures from the finance department show a budget surplus of about $5.1 million in the county's general fund to close 2015. That adds to about $24.4 million in total surplus funds from the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years. The $5.1 million comes from the county receiving more income than expected and also spending less than what was budgeted.

On the income side, numbers show the county reaped about $3.2 million more than planned. About half that stems from sales and income tax receipts beating projections by a combined $1.68 million.

On the expense side, all but two county departments came in under budget by a total of $1.9 million: The judiciary and courts department and sheriff's office fell into the red by a combined total of about $30,000.

That's not to say there is fiscal harmony in the county.

The county board's finance committee nearly spiked the long-pending funds transfer request from Coroner Rob Russell Wednesday. The request takes money originally intended for a new vehicle purchase and spends it on the operations side.

County officials generally frown on mixing capital and operating funds. However, transferring the cash would allow the coroner's office finish 2015 with a small operating surplus. Russell, who has battled with board members over office finances for nearly his entire term, almost saw his request die for lack of a second.

Finance Director Joe Onzick and finance committee Chairman John Hoscheit shepherded the request to a favorable vote.

There are at least two other financial issues county officials will continue to monitor.

The county's health insurance fund spent about $500,000 more than projected in 2015. The shortfall will eat into the $1.6 million reserve in the fund, which Onzick said will need to be replenished to guard against future unforeseen expenses.

Finally, the state's budget impasse continues to threaten county budgets. Salary reimbursements from the state for the supervisor of assessments, state's attorney, public defender and county engineer are in arrears dating back to last summer. Some state grants are also only partially being funded during the impasse.

All told, if the salaries are unpaid and the grants aren't fully funded, it would blow a $1.46 million hole in the 2016 budget.

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