Dixon Public Schools adopts balanced budget plan for 2022

DIXON – Dixon Public Schools will operate on a balanced budget plan for fiscal 2022 that anticipates less revenue and less expenditures than the previous year.

A final budget hearing was conducted before its regular meeting Wednesday. The school board then approved the spending plan.

The report prepared by Marc Campbell, the district’s chief business official, details that have expenditures decreased because construction projects across the district have been completed and less money was spent on health, life and safety.

The spending plan for 2022 accounts for about $35 million in expenditures. The previous year had $37 million in expenditures, which included $4.19 million for health insurance, $3.44 million in debt service and bond payments and $24.02 million in education fund expenses.

“The general estimates of the budget are very challenging to predict in FY 22,” Campbell said in the written report to the board.

Campbell said in his report that Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which are part of the COVID-19 rescue plan, carry over multiple years and will generate equal amounts of expenses and revenues.

He also said that corporate personal property replacement tax funds were inflated in the previous fiscal year, however, its effect on the current fiscal year has not yet been determined. As such, a conservative estimate of a little more than $2 million was calculated to be received, which is less than the previous year’s actual $2.9 million.

“These, along with a variety of other unpredictable factors, are impacting the overall perspective and presentation of the budget,” Campbell said.

He said he would provide the board with status updates as things change.

A review of revenue showed the tax levy will generate $18.7 million. Evidence-based funding from the state grew to $6.45 million, an increase of $400,000. Dixon is categorized as a Tier 1 district for EBF purposes.

State payments for transportation included $725,00 for regular and vocational purposes and $815,000 for special education uses.

The district received $545,000 from the CARES Act grant in fiscal 2021. It expects to receive $1.4 million in 2022.

In the area of expenditures, $1.15 million in curriculum purchases were made with ESSER funds. The Lee County Special Education Association estimates $2.164 million in expenditures, and tuition for outplaced students will be $1.421 million. Illinois Central transportation services were bought at $2.11 million.