DuPage County will start the fiscal year with a balanced budget that features new projects and pay raises for employees while also reducing property taxes.
County board members unanimously approved the $584.1 million spending plan for fiscal 2023, which began Dec. 1.
It is Chairman Dan Croninโs final budget before he steps down from office after 12 years at the helm of county government. Cronin, who decided not to seek reelection, will leave behind a hefty county surplus of $40 million in the current budget year.
At his last board meeting earlier this week, Cronin pointed to his years of fiscal stewardship.
โWeโve balanced every budget. Weโve kept property taxes low, making wise, prudent investments,โ Cronin said. โDuPage County is in the strongest financial shape it has been in a long time. Weโve embodied the spirit of accountability, efficiency, positive and innovative service delivery.โ
Sales tax revenue โ a major source of the surplus โ grew by $21.4 million, or 19.6%, when compared with original budget estimates. The county posted $12.1 million in August, the second-highest month ever. Taxes on internet sales, a relatively new revenue stream, are a primary driver of the increase, financial planners said.
The county is expected to use some of the surplus to fund the following projects:
โข $3 million for major renovations of the DuPage Care Center, a 368-bed, county-owned nursing home
โข $2 million for transportation infrastructure
โข $2.5 million to cover liability and insurance costs
โข $6 million to replace the countyโs financial system
โข $3.25 million to replace aging vehicles
โข $393,800 for the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on the county administration building
โข $398,680 for a stormwater project at Winfield Creek
โข $250,000 for the โNeighborhood Revitalization Program,โ an effort to remove or repair dilapidated or abandoned buildings
On the revenue side, the budget calls for a $69.9 million property tax levy. County board members also have agreed to abate $5 million in property taxes.
The abatement, which will be automatically deducted from property tax bills in 2023, will save the owner of a $365,000 home โ the median in DuPage โ an average of $13.86. That owner now pays about $193 in property taxes to the county. After the abatement, that figure is set to drop to about $179.
The general fund budget, which includes the budgets of most county offices and departments, totals $234.6 million.
As outlined in Croninโs recommended budget, nonunion employees are due to receive a 4% cost-of-living increase instead of the usual 2%, paid out in December. The county also will award a 2% merit increase in February to eligible employees.
State Rep. Deb Conroy will succeed Cronin as chair. Conroy and newly elected board members will take office Dec. 5.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20221125/dupage-county-budget-calls-for-property-tax-cut-40-million-surplus