Politics & Government

Will County Anticipates Budget Vote This Week

The county board shot down a tax increase last week and could now vote on the $170.4 million budget on Nov. 17. The board's version of the budget would reduce taxes about $15.

The Will County Board could pass its annual budget this week, but there's ongoing debate about whether Republican-sponsored cuts will impact services.

Members of the public can comment at the next board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet. The proposed budget may be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the office building, or online at the Will County executive's website.

In October, the board approved a tax levy that would save the average taxpayer about $15 on the county's portion of their bill.

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County Executive Larry Walsh proposed a $171 million budget, but the board was looking to cut $2.7 million from that. Democrats on the board have worried about how deep the cuts would go and the impact it could have.

A similar battle occurred during last year's budget talks, . A $171 million budget was approved for 2011 following a debate that pitted a tax increase against potential cuts to personnel or services.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But Republican leadership on the board has said in a news release that the county was able to "maintain service levels ... without resorting to mid-year budget cuts, despite the recession and dismal housing market."

According to Sun-Times Media, Minority Leader Walter Adamic (D-Joliet) proposed an additional 1 percent tax increase, but that was voted down 14-10 by the board.

About $2.6 million was cut from Walsh's buget during committee meetings, according to the Sun-Times, but $2 million was added back to pay for health benefits for retired county workers. According the the Sun-Times article, cuts have been to utilities, salaries and travel expenses.

The board has until the end of the month to approve the budget, but members anticipate a vote Nov. 17. The budget would go into effect Dec. 1.


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