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Kane County forest budget 'thin' but balanced

A flat property tax levy and relatively minor increases in other income will result in a new Kane County Forest Preserve District budget that's "thin" but provides a little more room to raise employee salaries.

"Our budget is thin but balanced," said commissioner John Hoscheit upon reviewing the details of the district's 2016-17 budget. Commissioners received their first look at the plan Tuesday.

The district's general fund, which fuels most of the day-to-day expenses, will see only about $86,500 of increased income over the current year, on a budget nearing $8 million. The district's new fiscal year begins July 1. The new money comes mostly through state and federal dollars, grants and a slight uptick in camping activity. But some of that increased income may be headed back to the state.

Illinois Department of Revenue officials said last week that many local governments received an overpayment of tax revenues totaling about $168 million. The department wants that money back, including the cash it overpaid to the forest preserve district.

Ken Stanish, the district's finance director, said news reports indicate the district received about $35,000 in overpayments from the state. However, no state officials have contacted the district to discuss a specific amount or a schedule for repayment.

Stanish said he believes any repayment would involve a long-term plan and not simply cutting a check for the full amount all at once.

The $35,000 is a relatively small amount compared to the $7.94 million expected to flow into the district's general fund during the 2016-17 fiscal year. But commissioners' commitment to a flat property tax have caused some hand-wringing over comparable amounts.

In November, it took some absences and last-minute vote changes to keep the district's property tax levy freeze in place for the 2016-17 fiscal year. That meant the district staff had to find $75,000 in non-property tax money, or make cuts, to balance out the budget.

The proposed budget is balanced, but it doesn't include any major cash for new projects as a consequence.

There are only $1.62 million in new projects in the budget.

The biggest-ticket items taxpayers will see in local preserves are $299,000 worth of repaving at the Burnidge and Paul Wolff preserves. There is also a $275,000 project to rebuild the lighthouse and pedestrian bridge at the Fabyan Forest Preserve.

There are also a handful of grant-funded projects in the budget including the $700,000 removal of the Fabyan Causeway.

There's also more room in the budget for district employees to make more money.

The budget allows for pay raises, based on merit, of up to 3 percent.

That's a bit more than the 2 percent merit raises employees were eligible for during a leaner economy just a couple years ago.

The budget also includes $7,000 for overtime pay for natural resources staff. There has never been an overtime budget for the department in the past.

The full forest preserve commission must still vote on the budget before it is put into place.

"The approach we are taking is about efficiency," said Mark Davoust, chairman of the district's finance committee.

"We are trying to keep everything flat and within our means and still get the work done."

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