For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
June 27, 2007

FINANCE COMMITTEE ADOPTS NEW BUDGET GUIDELINES

WHEATON-- The DuPage County Finance Committee approved a series of budget guidelines on Tuesday that will help maintain the County’s good financial policies, and provide flexibility in financial and program operations.

Patrick O’Shea (District 2), Chairman of the Finance Committee, notes that the County Board rules passed earlier this year called for the establishment of formalized and budgetary policies.

“These new guidelines will help provide the public with a better understanding of our financial thinking,” said O’Shea.  “During these difficult financial times we are facing, we must not rest on our laurels; we should be looking for ways to improve on our practices and processes.”

Having a set of guidelines in place will help maintain the County’s recognized financial management and its AAA bond rating.  According to the Civic Federation -- a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region -- DuPage County’s budget practices have “an established track record of prudent financial management.” 

The budget guidelines adopted on Tuesday were a collaborative effort noted O’Shea. 

“I want to thank Members Paul Fichtner (District 1), Grant Eckhoff (District 4), Robert Schroeder (District 5) and Brien Sheahan (District 2) for their suggestions and guidance,” said O’Shea.  “By working together, we can ensure the residents of DuPage County have a financially sound and responsible budget.”

The guidelines approved by the Finance Committee will now go before the entire County Board on July 10^th for final action.

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