County Executive Presents Budget Proposal to Will County Board Members

At their August 18 meeting, the Will County Board heard County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant present her State of the County speech, in which she touted several accomplishments during the past year.

Bertino-Tarrant said, “Great things are happening here, and people are noticing. Will County is getting the attention it deserves by the state and federal government. Both the Biden and Pritzker administrations are continuing to see the important role that our county plays in the Midwest and national economy. One of the best examples during the past year is the long-sought rebuilding of I-80, which will prove to be one of the most significant infrastructure projects for this county in decades. This project will provide tremendous relief for residents concerned about roadway safety and will be a significant boost to our role as a regional economic powerhouse.”

Bertino-Tarrant also touted the securing of half a million dollars in federal money to support infrastructure improvements to the Southeast Joliet Sanitation District saying, “The funds are an important first step in protecting the groundwater aquifers in this area and providing safe and reliable drinking water for both residents and businesses.”

For Fiscal Year 2023, Bertino-Tarrant also presented an outline of her Budget Proposal to the Will County Board during the meeting. In prepared text she proposed a county-wide budget of $731 million, providing $246 million for operations in the Corporate Fund and $485 million for the Special Revenue funds.

“This is a balanced budget that meets all debt obligations, keeping us on a solid financial footing,” she said. “It includes $500,000 for an annual contribution to the OPEB Trust fund and $750,000 for IMRF accelerated pension payments. Due to the growth of residential property, the proposed recommended tax levy rate will again decrease to .5733 percent, down from the final percentage from our Budget 2022. Corporate Fund revenue increased by $14 million dollars from the previous year, with 84 percent of revenues coming from property tax, intergovernmental revenue, and charges for services. We have budgeted increases for intergovernmental revenue related to sales taxes, grants, and salary reimbursements, licenses, and permits. Ensuring a balanced budget, I propose matching our expense budget to align with these projected increases in revenue.

“Furthermore, we continue our collective bargaining efforts. As our team works within the framework guided by this county board, I am committed to ensuring a safe work environment and prioritizing a positive work culture. At 40 percent of our budget, public safety remains a top priority for county government. I am proposing an increase in the budget for the Sheriff’s Department to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies across the very large footprint of Will County. I am also proposing an increase in base salaries for the Public Defender’s office, allowing for their positions to align with industry trends.

“With an extremely competitive employment landscape, it’s essential we improve our ability to attract and retain talent. This budget includes funding to support efforts by the Human Resource Department to streamline our hiring process, reduce red tape, and provide improved services for existing staff. These efforts include a planned consolidation of the employee onboarding process and the ongoing review of our county payroll systems. This need is especially important as our departments aim to strengthen their ability to deliver services in the face of an increasing population. To that end, I am proposing funding for one new position in both the Finance and Land Use Department.

“Personnel costs remain a significant expense, and have increased 2.9 percent overall to respond to the rising cost of living. Personnel benefits overall have decreased by 12.7 percent, due to a reduction in annual employer pension contribution rates for IMRF and SLEP.

“During this budget process, one of the key questions before us is spending the nearly $2 million dollars in available revenue from the Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. This is a decision that requires a balanced view of addressing critical community needs and seeking to remedy the negative impacts of the War on Drugs. After listening to discussions from members of this body, our local communities, and from our county departments, I am recommending funding several priorities that provide a meaningful impact on underserved communities. These include legal assistance grants to low-income residents for cannabis-related expungements, development of a “Moving Will” Revolving Loan Program administered by the CED, and funding to support a Recovery Resource Center to address substance use disorders. These simple investments will offer timely support to residents who need it most.

“Another important question for both the current and future boards is projecting and spending revenue from the Renewable Natural Gas Plant. This forward-thinking innovation will put Will County at the forefront of the clean energy revolution in Illinois. I would like to congratulate Dave Hartke and Christina Snitko for their tireless work on this project and managing the fast pace of construction since breaking ground in March. After completion this fall, it is projected the plant will bring in $14.5 million in revenue next year. This first year of plant operations will be dedicated to preparing for this self-sustaining project to serve as a consistent revenue source for years to come.

“I would like to take a moment to discuss the import role capital planning plays in the budget process. For next year, I am proposing $1.2 million in capital expenditures. The need is clear: We know our population is growing, and we know we need to be prepared for it. It is time for us to move from the hypotheticals of growth to the practical reality of governing. This will ensure our government is prepared to provide services to an increased population. But as we evaluate our capital needs, we must do so responsibly.

“Within the budget are tools for this county board to begin a five-year plan for capital improvement priorities. This will ensure we are spending proactively and not reactively on capital infrastructure. My administration has worked hard to coordinate with both our departments and other elected offices to begin these conversations.

“I also would like to spotlight the efforts of Capital Improvements Chair Herb Brooks to promote open dialogue on this issue, as we identify current and future capital needs. These needs can range from increased maintenance for an aging former Sears-building-turned-county-office-building, to kennel facilities for our Animal Control Department, to be able to respond to increased calls for assistance. It also includes how we plan to utilize the Copperfield building, purchased in 2020. And yes, capital needs can include next steps for property no longer in use, such as an empty former courthouse. Planning ahead is difficult work, and can lead to even more difficult conversations, but is a responsible first step to ensure that we are spending within our means.

“Planning was important for our Facilities Department and Resource and Recovery Division when they set the goal to make our county buildings more efficient, to conserve energy, and save taxpayer money. Ten years ago, they partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy on the “Better Buildings Challenge,” with the goal to reduce energy usage by 20 percent. By identifying this goal early on, they were able to implement energy efficient actions over a 10-year period and ended up surpassing their initial goal. This had a real impact.

“In the last year alone, they estimate that through a mix of energy savings and energy rebate programs, our county saved $83,000 dollars in energy costs. This is just one example of how we can set our sights on the future and work together to determine the best path to get there.

“In closing, I’m proud of everything we’ve been able to accomplish for the residents of Will County and am thankful for the efforts of this county board. From funding community gardens, to raising funds for relief efforts in Ukraine, everyone in this room displayed care and compassion for people in need throughout the year. In the closing months of this year, I hope we can channel that energy and make the important decisions that will put county government on the path to success,” she concluded.