Will County
Leaders say new budget means less money for counties, municipalities
Citing a loss in state revenue, Will County officials said they expect to tighten their belts as they prepare for next year’s budget.
“The state is taking money out of our pocket again,” said Finance Committee chairman Mike Fricilone, R-Homer Glen. In Tuesday’s committee meeting, he said the new state budget siphons money away from counties and municipalities, and he estimated Will County could receive $2.4 million less.
Fricilone said there are four areas where the state budget affects local taxing bodies.
The state will impose a 2 percent administrative fee for collecting sales tax revenue on behalf of municipalities and counties.
Local agencies also will receive less from income taxes collected in the Local Government Distributive Fund, RTA funds, and the replacement taxes paid by corporations and business.
“The state is not making anyone aware of this. We have to be the bearer of bad news,” Fricilone said.
Committee member Ray Tuminello, R-New Lenox, said the state is “subsidizing” its budget on the backs of local taxing bodies.
“Every other taxing body has to find more money. Every department will have to tighten its belt,” Fricilone said.
While he does not yet have official numbers, he has estimated Will County’s lost revenue from the state to be $2.4 million. Coupled with an increase in the county’s health insurance premiums of $2.3 million, the county will have to tighten to the tune of $4.7 million, he said.
Fricilone said he has asked County Executive Larry Walsh to present a balanced budget and impose a hiring freeze.
Budget director ReShawn Howard said all departments have been put on notice to continue to tighten their belts. “It will be a challenge,” she said.
She will conduct a budget workshop session for county officials Sept. 27.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
