By James Middleton
From page 2 of October 8th Boone County Journal: http://boonecountyjournal.com/news/2010/Boone-County-News-10-08-10.pdf#page=2
It is easy to tell it is budget season at the Boone County
Annex on Logan Avenue; many that are employed in the
building walk around with furrowed brows. The furrows
grew deeper as yet another potential version of the new
Boone County Fiscal Year 2011 Budget was distributed
to county representatives by County Administrator Ken
Terrinoni.
For Mr. Terrinoni and Belvidere City government
Finance Manager Patricia Chamberlin, new versions of
future budgets are almost weekly events as the revenue
stream rises but most often latterly will fall.
Mr. Terrinoni told the representatives, “I have worked
on the general fund portion of the budget and I have gone
to all departments and we have found about $400,000 in
additional cuts that makes this version of the budget a
balanced budget.” He indicated that property tax collections
are expected to increase without there being a tax increase
because Boone County government functions under tax
caps that limit tax rate increases.
However, Mr. Terrinoni also cautioned, “This is not
totally a revenue-driven budget and in theory you are ahead
by $87,000 now, but there is more to deal with.”
Mr. Terrinoni has two additional forms of revenue to
improve the budget picture that are first, a one-time taxsale
transfer of $200,000 and a second option with one-time
access to funds from the Maple Crest Nursing Home that
also totals $200,000.
A brief debate arose over possible funding to CASA,
the organization that provides representation for children in
court actions at no cost to them. CASA receives funding
from the county in the form of a grant and this year it was
suggested that the group receive $3,000.
However, some of the representatives pondered if the
$3,000 could be found within such a tight budget. Mr.
Terrinoni suggested the finance committee consider granting
$1,500 in the budget but keep the remaining commitment
of $1,500 in abeyance, allowing the group to determine if
case activity warrants accessing the additional money later
in Fiscal 2011.
County Representative Cathy Ward (District 2) sustained
her support of the organization and added, “I’m OK with
the $1,500 now and $1,500 later. A motion was placed on
the floor to grant CASA $1,500 in the budget and another
$1,500 later next year and that motion was approved by a
3-2 vote, with county Representatives Marshall Newhouse
(District 1) and Karl Johnson (District 2) in opposition to
the move.
The tax-sale fund transfer was also debated with Mr.
Terrinoni saying, “The tax-sale fund transfer ($200,000)
would be for capital maintenance and would be a one-time
transfer. I need the additional $84,000 that is part of the
fund to pay for other needs in the county bond fund.”
He added that the MapleCrest-proposed transfer of
$200,000 to the general fund is also a one-time transfer.
County Representative Paul Larson (District 2)
commented, “My problem with the transfer is to bring
down the reserve and we are close to acting like the state
and borrowing money to stay in business.”
A motion to approve the transfer from the tax-sale fund
was placed on the floor and unanimously approved by voice
vote.
Mr. Terrinoni then mused, as is sometimes the case
regarding the question, what would occur if the State of
Illinois filed bankruptcy? Late in September Mr. Terrinoni
attended a meeting with other officials from across the
state and he indicated some of what was concluded by
the group regarding the municipal fiscal situation. One
conclusion suggested that meaningful growth in the state is
not expected until perhaps 2012 or 2013. State funding for
the state’s attorney and the public defender will likely not
begin to arrive until later this fall during the veto session of
the General Assembly.
Mr. Terrinoni told the county representatives, “Typically,
states do not file bankruptcies but instead the states delay
payments to municipalities and as the situation worsens,
municipalities just have to wait longer for payments. Six
months can become eight months and perhaps 11 months
before the checks arrive.”
He added, “The MapleCrest transfer is to be made only
if needed. If the fiscal erosion continues further you might
need the transfer to make payroll. This is only if needed and
we will have to wait and see.”
Other budget adjustments will come up next week for
further discussion including a request by the probation
department to hire a part-time secretary to manage clerical
work that has been handled by the probation officers for
14 months. Further, the department is also seeking a 1.0
percent salary increase for the officers.
Another budget matter that could engage debate is the
potential lay-off of one worker in the county clerk’s office.
Debate could also arise regarding the proposed reduction
in the sheriff’s budget of $200,000 that could come from
a reduction of overtime spending and perhaps a lay-off of
workers or deputies.
Another item included in the most recent version of the
Fiscal 2011 budget is the requested lay-off of one corrections
officer in the Boone County Jail. Mr. Terrinoni commented
as the matter was briefly considered, “My understanding is
if the jail is full we should have 36 officers but if the jail
is not full and we go to 35 officers that is supposed to be
OK.”
These and many other fiscal matters will be debated
in the next meeting of the Boone County Board Finance
Committee scheduled for next Tuesday. If consensus is
reached a preliminary budget could come for county board
approval in their October meeting next Wednesday. If
the county board provides their preliminary approval the
proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget could be set aside for
the state mandated public budget review period that must
precede final approval, which could occur in November.
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