KANE COUNTY HAS NOT HAD A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN 13 YEARS. Yes, looking back on my property Tax Bill, I paid the same dollar amount (with minor fluctuations) to Kane County in 2024 that I paid in 2011.
So, when the Preliminary Budget Numbers for 2025 came in -I was shocked!!.
BY LAW – WE MUST operate with a balanced budget. For the County’s General Fund (where most people are paid), we initially had a $35,000,000 deficit. That will use up over half of our available reserves.
INFLATION has been a big contributor. Retaining people and renewing contracts with our Labor Unions are also big contributors. We see it whenever we go to a grocery store or restaurant. If you’re on Social Security, you’ve seen an 18% increase in the last 3 years. BUT you’ve also seen a tremendous increase in rent, food, and basic living expenses.
ANOTHER big contributor is that there has been NO INCREASE to Kane’s portion (about 4%) of Real Estate Taxes in 13 years. Federal COVID funds enabled us to balance our budget (required) for the past several years. But we will be forced to virtually use ALL of our reserves by 2026, which is disastrous!
For the past three years I’ve been very vocal about this happening. FINALLY – I’m being listened to. We have really good people on the County Board and my prediction is that we will come together with an approach to deal with these issues without major cuts in services. BUT, your understanding and cooperation will also be necessary.
AND, we also need more space for Courts, Personnel, and to replace aging buildings. We have a long-term plan to accomplish this, but effective funding is required to make this happen.
We have been able to reduce the 2025 deficit to about $25,000,000 by using the remaining COVID Funds for Building Maintenance Projects. BUT COVID FUNDS ARE NOW GONE.
Kane’s Board WILL be balancing the 2025 Budget with $25 Million in Reserves (we currently have about $70,000,000. In reserves).
Unless something major changes, in 2026 we will have a $40,000,000 deficit. KANE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES TO COVER THAT SHORTFALL.
The Kane Board has voted to put a .75% Sales Tax referendum on the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Ballot. That would generate about $51,000,000, per year, in revenue.
This revenue is desperately needed.
If the referendum fails, we will have no choice but to make DRASTIC CUTS affecting personnel and services.
I’ll continue to keep you informed on this issue as things progress.
