The Kane County Board has begun the process of preparing the 2012 budget to resemble its 2011 spending plan. The challenge is to hold the line on spending and create a balanced budget and most importantly not to increases taxes in a year when projected revenue is expected to be relatively flat. Kane County's fiscal year starts on December 1.

 

Cheryl Pattelli, the County's Executive Director of Finance, told the County Board members at a day-long meeting at which 30 budget presentations were made by various offices and departments that "we're looking at a pretty flat budget." Some offices are seeking funding increases for 2012 while others report that they plan to work with less funding than in 2011.

 

The good news is that Kane County is in the black, its credit rating has been upgraded, the County has low debt, and the size of county government continues to be reduced. Kane County begins the 2012 budget process "in a solid financial position at a time when many government executives are facing financial catastrophe," noted McConnaughay. "Many of our counterparts both in Illinois and across the county are sinking deeper in debt, raising taxes and, in some cases, just crossing their fingers and hoping that things will magically get better."

 

The Finance Committee is charged with recommending ways to reconcile 2012 budget requests with projected revenues. The process began August 10, 2011. The main focus of the deliberations is the County's General Fund, the chief operating fund and main budget comprising a variety of revenues and costs of operation for roughly eighteen offices and departments. General Fund revenue comes primarily from property taxes (about 44%), local and state shared taxes (about 24%), fees, fines and state reimbursements. Of the total property taxes collected in Kane County annually, just over 4.5% is attributable to County government.

 

Complete budget documentation, including the presentations made at the Finance Committee are available at the Finance Department's page on the County website.