The Will County Board voted Thursday not to increase its property tax levy and indicated it may use cash reserves to cover any revenue shortfalls in the budget.
The board voted 12-10 to approve no increase in the levy, but will capture any new construction, which expands the total tax base and adds to the overall assessed value of property. The levy to hold the line on taxes passed with 11 Republicans and Democrat Destinee Ortiz, of Romeoville, supporting it.
The budget that was approved was based on a 1.75% levy increase.
“As of right now we have an unbalanced budget,” Speaker Joe VanDuyne said. “It’s illegal.”
VanDuyne said the board will need to discuss how it can meet its contractual obligations, including union contracts and planned pay raises for county staff, as well as other rising expenses.
In a memo to staff late Thursday afternoon, County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s chief of staff Mike Mahoney said the “legally-dubious step leaves county government in a precarious position, as the County Board has approved an unbalanced budget that does not allow us to fully function in the upcoming fiscal year.”
“This irresponsible approach threatens the county with bond default, credit downgrades, expensive short-term borrowing and layoffs,” he wrote, adding the problem was self-created by the board who approved this shortfall.
If a balanced budget is not in place by Dec. 1, the county has no appropriation authority and no ability to pay employee benefits or its vendors.
The executive’s office asked department heads and countywide elected officials to see if any employees would continue working without pay or health care and to prepare for potential remote work.
Kevin Meyers from the state’s attorney’s office said he was concerned the board’s budget allocates more money to various departments than the county will bring in from the levy. As a result, the board will have to find a new revenue source, he said.
“You can’t have an unbalanced budget,” Meyers said.
Bertino-Tarrant proposed a 2% levy in her State of the County address and budget presentation in August.
In the last month, members of the board’s finance committee asked for a 1.75% levy as a compromise to County Board Republicans to avoid cuts to staff or services.
VanDuyne proposed cutting $50,000 from the County Board’s budget, eliminating paying for board members to travel and attend conferences. Any airfare, hotels or food costs would be on the backs of the board members, he said.
Reducing the levy increase to zero affects the county’s ability to defend itself in lawsuits, VanDuyne said, noting the board has been sued by commercial solar facility developers when it rejects requests to build.
The county is bound to pay raises as part of its contracts with its employees and it is subject to the same cost increases as everyone else, VanDuyne said.
The levy approved will generate about $2.8 million less in total property taxes than Bertino-Tarrant proposed in August.
Several board members said they would consider using some of the county’s cash reserves to cover any deficits.
ReShawn Howard, the county’s budget director, said the county has about $94.8 million in cash reserves, which is above its target.
Board member Mark Revis, a Plainfield Republican, said he would be interested in spending down the cash reserves, asking why the county can keep a healthy savings account when residents are having a hard time.
The board did not vote on whether to use its reserves to make up budgetary differences.
Several residents urged the board to cut its expenses and not raise the tax levy.
Mary Beth Gannon, of Joliet, said the board should not look at the levy in a partisan manner. She said members needs to “trim the fat” and cut the budget, not balance it on the backs of taxpayers.
“When is it going to stop?” Gannon said. “We are all hurting.”
Greg Kulbartz, of Homer Township, agreed, saying too many people are struggling.
Darrell Boisdorf, of Joliet Township, said the burden of tax increases hurts senior citizens and those on a fixed income. It discourages businesses from establishing in Will County, electing to go to another county or Indiana, he said.
The property tax burden in Will County is already high, Boisdorf said, and a tax increase should be the last resort.
Joliet resident Amy Sanchez said a 1.75% tax levy was “minimal” and urged the board to pass it. The county is bound to its contractual obligations and she said she doesn’t want to see services cut.
The board Thursday also adjusted how it wants to spend revenue from the cannabis fund from Bertino-Tarrant’s original proposal in August.
The board agreed to allocate $335,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center, $440,000 to the housing stabilization program, $170,000 for workforce services, $260,000 to the clerk’s office for election equipment, $200,000 for the Regional Office of Education for additional bullet-resistant glass, $50,000 for food stability, $350,000 for scholarships for children who are dealing with loved ones’ incarceration and $200,000 toward legal defense for immigrants with legal status.
Bertino-Tarrant’s original program had more funding allocated to the Children’s Advocacy Center, the housing stabilization program and workforce services. It also funded $1 million for the health department and $250,000 to the United Way 211 program to connect residents with services.
Bertino-Tarrant proposed a fiscal year 2026 budget for $791 million, which provides $282 million for operations in the corporate fund and $509 million for the special revenue funds.
Property taxes make up about 40% of the total corporate fund revenue.
The fiscal year begins Dec. 1.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter.
