For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
April 8, 2008

COUNTY APPROVES REVISED FISCAL YEAR 2008 BUDGET

BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING TO BEGIN REGIONAL TRAFFIC RELIEF PROJECTS

WHEATON, IL ― The DuPage County Board approved a revised Fiscal Year 2008 Budget on Tuesday that addresses only those critical needs facing the County.  The Board was able to revise the budget due to a new revenue source secured in January with the passage of the RTA Act.    

DuPage County Board Chairman Robert J. Schillerstrom said the revised budget will    provide $1.4 million to begin planning for regional road projects that will improve safety and provide congestion relief and provide an initial allotment of $1 million for the creation of a strategic reserve.

“Passage of the RTA Act allowed us to fund our critical public safety and human service agencies; prevent layoffs in the Sheriff’s Office, State’s Attorney’s Office, and our Probation office; and continue our efforts to ease the traffic gridlock that chokes transportation in our region,” said Schillerstrom.  “I am also pleased we were able to create a strategic reserve that would help preserve public safety and support critical operations in the event of longer-term adverse economic conditions, or emergencies.”

Last month, after the County secured its new revenue source, Board Members worked quickly to maintain headcount and avoid layoffs, which would have interrupted critical services.  That action cost $10.5 million.  Revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2008 (December 1, 2007 – November 30, 2008) estimate the County will receive $20 million, which left only $9.5 million for critical needs in this budget cycle. 

Included in the revised Fiscal Year 2008 budget is the allocation of $500,000 for Human Service Grants, which the Chairman anticipates will grow to $1 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2009.  The Health Department is also picking up the additional funding amount to bring Access DuPage and Mental Health to Fiscal Year 2006 levels. 

The Board also approved pay raises for County employees, some of whom have not had a raise in two-years and which was not included in the budget passed last November. 

The $1.4 million allocated to the County’s Transportation Division will allow planning and design engineering to begin on critical congestion relief road projects in the region.  The Division plans to have the engineering conform to federal guidelines, which will make some of these projects eligible for federal funding in the future, especially with the Federal Transportation Bill scheduled to be negotiated in Washington beginning in 2009.  Planning engineering is necessary prior to completing contract plans in anticipation of construction activities in the field.  With additional revenue coming in next year, the County will look to provide the Transportation Division with $14 million to continue these projects. 

“I am very pleased that this Board took the time to examine and debate the critical needs facing our communities,” said Schillerstrom.  “Now, as we begin moving forward with preparations for the next budget cycle, we can continue working together to ensure the programs and services that make our County great receive the funding they need.”

Throughout the budget process, County Board Committees examined each Department and County agency to determine which items were of a critical nature.  Those items not deemed critical will be part of the Fiscal Year 2009 budget discussions.  That budget cycle, says Schillerstrom, will allow for a more thorough examination of programs and needs given the estimated $48 million the County will receive via the RTA Sales Tax in the next Fiscal Year.

To view the County’s revised Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, please visit www.dupageco.org.

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