Getting to final vote on a Budget for fiscal year 2026 was challenging. Going into the budget process it was predicted that 2026 would require the use of some 29 million dollars of reserves, leaving with only the best-practice 90-days operating funds in reserve. Through the hard work of the finance committee including member Leslie Juby (District 11) , the remainder of the Finance Committee and the cooperation of the Elected Officers, who have enormous power over the budgets of their offices, many compromises got us to a point of a balanced budget, that will have bumps along the way, but will in no way use anywhere near as much surplus as earlier predicted.
I can’t stop without saying that money problems in Kane County stem from a number of years when Board leadership frowned on even small incremental increases in property tax levies on behalf of the County. Nobody like paying more tax. But while school districts, community colleges, libraries, cities and villages and more were raising their levies annually, Kane went 1o years without. It leaves Kane County collecting taxes, but distributing about 96% of the tax collected to other units of government. Covid brought us. the American Rescue Plan, Federal dollars to stimulate the economy broken by the pandemic. That allowed Kane County to catch up on much needed repair and maintenance of buildings and mechanical equipment, work that had been neglected for lack of funds. But that money is gone, and we have to carry on. The Board did approve a small increase in the tax levy for fiscal 2026, that will cost the owner of a $300,000 home less than $15 a year. There was also an increase in the County Motor Fuel tax that might cost the driver who fills their tank once a week about $15 a year. Nobody likes taxes, but then nobody like potholes, crime, poor restautant sanitation etc.
In another post I’ll discuss the fiscal relationship between the County Board and the various county elected officers, like the Sheriff, States Attorney, County Clerk, Treasurer, Crooner, Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Assessor, Auditor, Recorder of Deeds, and I’ve likely forgotten at least one. Look for it.
Author: Michael
Current Kane County Board Member representing members is parts of Saint Charles, Geneva and Campton townships, and announced candidate for reelection to that office.
