LaSalle County finance staff reviewed general fund revenue projections and asked the finance committee to weigh conservative options for the tax levy and revenue estimates.

Staff explained that the county's tax levy number remains to be set and that it may be appropriate to be conservative given collection history. The treasurer and staff's figures were discussed while members noted a roughly $1 million difference in prior-year collections compared with levy figures used in the draft budget.

Staff also described a state law change affecting sales and use tax allocation. As staff summarized: Public Act 1030983, signed 08/09/2024 and effective 01/01/2025, requires retailers with a physical presence in Illinois who source sales out of state to collect and remit occupation (sales) tax by destination. Staff said that change has, in practice, tended to increase local sales tax allocations while decreasing use tax allocations; staff cited a webinar chart showing a $20 million decrease in use tax from April 2024 to April 2025 with corresponding sales tax increases. Finance staff adjusted use-tax projections downward and said sales tax and state income tax projections were based on what had been received year to date.

Other revenue items discussed included the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) amounts provided by the state, interest income projections, penalties and various circuit clerk and treasurer revenues. Staff noted the county retains sizable specialty funds and savings (including ARPA and iFiber balances), but that general fund revenue and expense estimates showed a gap in the draft that the committee will continue to address.

Committee members asked for the budget spreadsheet in Excel format for further review and for staff to revisit levy assumptions and revenue projections before finalizing the budget. Finance staff said they will reconvene presentations and follow up at a future finance meeting.