LaSalle County finance committee members reviewed the State's Attorney's budget packet and questioned several special funds and projected revenues, including the drug enforcement fund (fund 25) and the opioid settlement account (fund 73).

The State's Attorney's budget presentation showed planned increases in several line items: appellate assistance, travel, education, library, trial expenses and computer software were among the items noted for adjustment. The trial expense line was described as covering fees for expert witnesses and other trial-related costs.

Committee members and county staff discussed the drug enforcement fund balance. Staff reported the drug fund had roughly $164,000 on hand and a proposed drug enforcement expense request of about $105,100, with only an estimated $25,000 in budgeted revenue projected for the fund next year. Committee members asked whether the fund would be adequate for anticipated expenses and whether the general fund could cover shortages; staff said the general fund could be used if necessary but the drug fund is restricted by statute to enforcement-related expenses.

The committee also discussed the opioid settlement fund, which receives distributions from national settlements with drug manufacturers. Staff described the opioid fund as strictly limited to certain categories of expenditures and reported carrying forward a multi-month balance (staff said about two years' worth of expenses remained in the account). County staff said the Attorney General monitors distributions and that county reporting is required quarterly. Staff explained opioid distributions are unpredictable and come from multiple settlements; the county recently received a distribution and projects revenue of about $150,000 next year, while actual receipts are erratic and depend on national settlement timing.

Members asked whether the State's Attorney could use other county funds if the special funds run short. Staff said discretionary general fund accounts exist and could be used in a pinch, but statutory and settlement restrictions limit how drug and opioid funds may be spent.

Committee members asked for copies of monitoring guidelines and statute references for restricted funds and for clarification of projected revenues and trial-related expenses. No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting; members asked staff to circulate fund guidelines and to return with any additional details requested by finance.