The Vermilion County Finance Committee met tonight and passed most budgets for the fiscal year starting December 1st. All must be finally approved including then tax levy. The tax levy has a deadline of September or any adjoined meeting of the September meeting, meaning the September meeting cannot close until the tax levy is determined. However, many September meetings have been adjourned into November to finalize the tax levy.
Most budgets tonight were passed without comment. Two budgets raised questions. The first was the State’s Attorneys Office which requested an increase in the personal salary line, including unfilled positions. Finance Chair Jerry Hawker questioned it saying he wanted to treat all the departments the same on salary issues until union negotiations were completed.
The Finance Committee ultimately approved the State’s Attorney’s Office budget as requested with all increases. The Animal Control Department and Shelter Budget raised questions due to the salary increase given to the new director by the Chairman of the County Board without full Board input or consultation. That budget was ultimately approved by the Committee with some dissenting votes. All budgets and the tax levy to pay for them will go the full County Board for final approval.