'Strange Change' Means More Cash For Elmhurst 205 — For Now

ELMHURST, IL — At first glance, Elmhurst School District 205 looks more flush with cash than usual this time of year.

As of May 31, the district had $38 million on hand, which amounts to 28 percent of the district's yearly expenditures. Meanwhile, revenue for operations is up 11 percent over a year ago, largely because of an increase in property tax money.

Therein lies the rub. In May, the district received $8.7 million in property tax revenue from DuPage County in May. That compares to $2.1 million and $2.9 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

"It's just a strange change in the way the county distributes taxes. It skews it a little bit," Chris Whelton, the district's assistant superintendent for finance, told the school board Tuesday. "It's really just a timing change."

So far this month, property tax revenues are down from the two previous years, he said.

Board member Jim Collins said May 31 is the district's "low cash point day of the year."