Proposed Will County Budget Includes $32 Million Capital Plan

—By Shannon Antinori

Will County Executive Larry Walsh presented his budget for the 2015 fiscal year at Thursday’s Will County Board meeting, proposing a total budget of $466 million with a a corporate fund of $191 million and special funds of $275 million.

“This year’s budget reflects a significant step forward for Will County,” said Executive Walsh. “The County Board asked for a more comprehensive and strategic approach to fund our roads, facilities, and technology needs. I completely agree and my office presented a 5 year plan that will be a great resource when making decisions about funding projects in the future.”

Walsh noted that the budget proposal he presented to the board was balanced, meets all of the County’s debt obligations and continues to fund the Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) at $2 million per year. He also reported an estimated savings of $1.6 million through a cooperative effort between the county executive’s office and the county board.

The budget also includes $32 million toward a five-year capital plan.

“This savings is a direct result of the restructuring of the county’s health insurance plan, which implemented revised tier and contribution levels for our employees,” Walsh said. “We have also launched an employee wellness program that we are hopeful will help continue to reduce our insurance costs in the future.”

Walsh noted that the county maintains an AA+ bond rating, which he said is a testament to the fiscally responsible approach the county board and county executive’s office have taken over the recent years.

“We have a commitment to our taxpayers to provide safe, convenient services in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Walsh. “This year’s budget honors this commitment and I am proud of the cooperation from all our elected officials and department heads.”

Walsh acknowledged this year’s budget proposes to begin the process of consolidating some county services including courthouse maintenance services with the centralized maintenance department. Other areas for consolidation are still being investigated and could be implemented in 2015, he said.

The draft budget will now be reviewed by the county board, which has 60 days to approve it before the start of the new fiscal year on Dec.1.