Proposed McLean County budget contains pay raises, added personnel

Posted on September 18, 2018
Members of the McLean County Board are scheduled to take up the budget in November. (Patrick Baron/WJBC)

By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – The proposed budget for McLean County calls for a steady tax rate and pay raises for county employees.

During Tuesday’s McLean County Board meeting, County Administrator Bill Wasson presented the proposed spending plan of nearly $95.8 million, up about one percent from the previous year’s budget.

Wasson reminded board members the county employees’ pay was frozen last year as he proposed an across-the-board increase of 2.25 percent.

Wasson also proposed the addition of the equivalent of 16 full-time positions, including three in the new veteran’s court, two and a half as part of the jail expansion and one in the circuit clerk’s office to accommodate new requirements for electronic civil filing.

The proposed tax rate is the same as the current rate. Wasson noted property values are expected to rise about one percent, and the owner of a 160-thousand dollar home is expected to pay about $500 to the county.

The board is scheduled to vote on the budget in November.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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