By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board members have narrowly decided a one-cent property tax rate increase is worth it at a time when the state budget is uncertain.
The County Board struck down a plan to ward off a rate hike. Member Chuck Erickson proposed sweeping $400,000 in fund balances to prevent a rate increase.
“We can balance the budget, pay for the jail expansion, preserve the financial integrity of our fund balances and our budget and protect our taxpayers,” Erickson said.
His proposal called for pulling $200,000 from the county’s general fund, $100,000 from the Health Department Administrative Support fund, $30,000 each from the Health Department Promotion and Highway Matching funds, $25,000 from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and $15,000 from the FICA fund.
Board chairman Matt Sorensen cast the tie-breaking vote (10-9) to defeat the measure.
“With the level of uncertainty presented to us by the state of Illinois, it just felt like there was too much risk for the future of McLean County,” Sorensen said.
Board member Mark Johnson considered the plan a responsible way to keep taxes in line.
“Taxpayers expect us and the integrity of this board to do what we can to save where we can,” Johnson said.
Board member Carlo Robustelli said the county must prepare for the unintended consequences of sweeping various funds to fill the gaps.
“I don’t know that anybody sitting around this table can say with 100-percent assurance they know exactly what this means,” Robustelli said.
Transportation committee chairman Jim Soeldner worries the county is already delaying dozens of road projects as it is.
“We feel an increase in our (transportation) levy is warranted to prepare for unforeseen circumstances<” Soeldner said.
Several critics slammed Erickson’s proposal as an ’11th hour’ attempt to undo what the county administration and various board committees had done in creating the budget.
Board member Paul Segobiano worried about setting a precedent.
“I think once we start making a crack in this budget process, we aren’t gong to have enough finger to plug the dike,” Segobiano said.
Erickson objected to claims that he didn’t go through the proper channels.
“It wasn’t like I was sitting in my little laboratory and I was coming up with little potions about how they would work,” Erickson retorted. “I was in consultation with County Administrator (Bill Wasson),” adding he also addressed his idea to Sorensen on Monday night.
The County Board then passed the rate hike along with a $92 million budget for 2016 in matching 12-6 votes.
Enterprise zone
In other business, the County Board approved submitting an application to the state to extend an enterprise zone that’s set to expire next year. The area covers portions of McLean and Ford counties.
Court fees
The board also approved a $1.50 increase in court fees that go to the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center. That represents at 10-percent increase to $16.50.
William Caisley, a retired judge, cast the only no vote. He said the county should be devoting tax money to CAC, rather than relying on those who go through the court system.
“I think it’s terrible the amount of court costs we are imposing upon people,” Caisley said.
The County Board also approved several tax abatement deals for Bloomington developments, including the redevelopment of apartments at 312 and 314 N. Main St., properties at 307 and 309 W. Washington St. and for construction of the Green Top Grocery store development at 915 and 921 E. Washington St.
Board members Catherine Metsker and George Wendt voted against all three proposals, while Erickson voted ‘no’ on the apartments and properties on West Washington Street.
Those plans had already been approved by District 87, the City of Bloomington and all other taxing bodies, expect for Heartland Community College which will consider the proposal at its meeting Tuesday night.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
