Boone County leaders pass balanced budget - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jennifer Wheeler
Rockford Register Star

Posted Nov. 20, 2013 @ 10:02 pm

 

BELVIDERE — Boone County elected officials and staff were able to dig themselves out of a once-projected $300,000 deficit to craft a balanced budget for next fiscal year.

On Wednesday, the County Board voted 8-4 to pass the $15.2 million general fund budget, which starts Dec. 1. Members Bill Pysson, Ron Wait, Marion Thornberry and Kenny Freeman voted no.

Here are the highlights:

n Nonunion employees will be receiving a 35 cent per hour increase. This method, rather than offering percentage raises, ensures that individuals at the top of pay scale do not receive a more generous pay hike than individuals at the lower end.

n The Boone County Sheriff’s Department will not be allocated money for new squad cars. New vehicles were purchased in 2012 and 2013, and the sheriff could allot some of his nondiscretionary budget money to cars if necessary, said Paul Larson, chairman of the Finance, Taxation and Salaries Committee.

n Staffing levels will increase from 255 county employees to 256. The county added dispatcher and assistant 911 coordinator positions to the budget.

n The county will not hire an additional public defender position — for now. Larson said officials want to add this position sooner rather than later, so they will review revenue streams mid-budget year to determine if they can afford the new job.

n The Boone County Board of Health will be allocated $25,000 less than what was originally planned. County Board members said they were displeased that health board members approved $56,000 worth of salary hikes in the middle of a budget year without knowing who would be receiving the raises or at what amount. Most employees were given between 13 percent and 18 percent raises, although a single staff member was given a 55 percent pay hike.

Pysson and Freeman said they voted no Wednesday because they were concerned about the merit raises that the Public Defender’s Office received on top of its 35 cent per hour wage increase. They said the approved raises exceed what staff originally proposed.

“I don’t believe in big raises. I think it sends a wrong message to other employees who come in on time and do their job,” Freeman said.

Larson said the merit raises were given because of the discrepancy in pay between the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office.

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