FY2010 Budget Approved: Balanced Budget, No Tax Increase
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After a full day of discussion, the County Board approved and adopted the FY2010 Budget yesterday evening. Though the amendment I sponsored to cut 5% across the board, excluding the Health and Hospitals System and court-mandated
programs, did not pass, the administrative holdback was increased by 1.5% to reflect the decreased sales tax receipts we will be seeing at the end of the year.
Amendments passed today decreased President Stroger's proposed budget by approximate $34 million. Other highlights from the final budget passage include:
- My amendment
to eliminate the proposed Cook County Film Office passed, cutting $250,000
of expenses.
- $3 million appropriated for a Foreclosure Mediation Program. The 14th
District, like the rest of the country, is facing an
unprecedented surge in foreclosures and this intervention will help protect our entire community.
- $275,000 approved to support Rape Crisis Hotlines run throughout Cook County, including the Northwest CASA Hotline
Because the budget cuts approved during the amendment process were insufficient to anticipate the challenges of the coming year and were based on increasing revenue estimates instead of better management, I voted against the final passage of the FY2010 budget. The approved budget did not reflect a truly streamlined
government, and failed to implement potential efficiencies in the County
bureaucracy.
Though this year's budget process has ended, I will continue to work at implementing cost-saving measures throughout Cook County and providing services at a cost which does not overburden taxpayers.
The final FY2010 Budget will be posted on the Budget Department's website when all amendments have been factored in.
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