DuPage County budget calls for property tax cut, $40 million surplus

DuPage County will start the fiscal year with a balanced budget that features new projects and pay raises for employees while also reducing property taxes.

County board members unanimously approved the $584.1 million spending plan for fiscal 2023, which began Dec. 1.

It is Chairman Dan Cronin’s final budget before he steps down from office after 12 years at the helm of county government. Cronin, who decided not to seek reelection, will leave behind a hefty county surplus of $40 million in the current budget year.

At his last board meeting earlier this week, Cronin pointed to his years of fiscal stewardship.

“We’ve balanced every budget. We’ve kept property taxes low, making wise, prudent investments,” Cronin said. “DuPage County is in the strongest financial shape it has been in a long time. We’ve embodied the spirit of accountability, efficiency, positive and innovative service delivery.”

Sales tax revenue – a major source of the surplus – grew by $21.4 million, or 19.6%, when compared with original budget estimates. The county posted $12.1 million in August, the second-highest month ever. Taxes on internet sales, a relatively new revenue stream, are a primary driver of the increase, financial planners said.

The county is expected to use some of the surplus to fund the following projects:

• $3 million for major renovations of the DuPage Care Center, a 368-bed, county-owned nursing home

• $2 million for transportation infrastructure

• $2.5 million to cover liability and insurance costs

• $6 million to replace the county’s financial system

• $3.25 million to replace aging vehicles

• $393,800 for the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on the county administration building

• $398,680 for a stormwater project at Winfield Creek

• $250,000 for the “Neighborhood Revitalization Program,” an effort to remove or repair dilapidated or abandoned buildings

On the revenue side, the budget calls for a $69.9 million property tax levy. County board members also have agreed to abate $5 million in property taxes.

The abatement, which will be automatically deducted from property tax bills in 2023, will save the owner of a $365,000 home – the median in DuPage – an average of $13.86. That owner now pays about $193 in property taxes to the county. After the abatement, that figure is set to drop to about $179.

The general fund budget, which includes the budgets of most county offices and departments, totals $234.6 million.

As outlined in Cronin’s recommended budget, nonunion employees are due to receive a 4% cost-of-living increase instead of the usual 2%, paid out in December. The county also will award a 2% merit increase in February to eligible employees.

State Rep. Deb Conroy will succeed Cronin as chair. Conroy and newly elected board members will take office Dec. 5.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20221125/dupage-county-budget-calls-for-property-tax-cut-40-million-surplus