No controversy as Will County Board passes budget
By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com November 15, 2012 5:16PM
Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis speaks with the SouthtownStar Editorial Board Thursday, July 5, 2012. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 19, 2012 12:50PM
JOLIET — A balanced 2013 Will County budget sailed through the county board Thursday.
The $466 million budget, which includes $175.7 in operational spending, is notable for its lack of controversy.
“This is the first year where there really wasn’t a big struggle between both sides of the aisle,” said finance committee chairman Ed Kusta Jr., R-Bolingbrook.
Spending is up $5 million, mostly for insurance costs, but so is revenue from sales taxes, landfill host fees and state income tax distributions, Finance Director Paul Rafac said.
The property tax levy is flat.
“We’ve been able to hold the line for taxpayers,” Kusta said.
The budget includes no layoffs, although employees have been encouraged to take voluntary furlough days.
Also Thursday the board approved the following consultant payments:
◆ $100,000 for the economic development efforts from the Will County Center for Economic Development.
◆ $45,000 for public relations work from Mack Communications.
◆ $96,000 for federal lobbyist Smith Dawson and Andrews.
◆ $50,000 for grant writer and researcher Lois Mayer.
◆ Up to $60,000 for Farnsworth Group Inc. for possible work on a proposed south suburban airport for eastern Will County.
