LaSalle County budget subcommittee members spent the meeting reviewing updated revenue and expense figures and identifying options to close a projected general-fund gap of about $3.2 million.

County finance staff reported that, after accounting for transfers already recorded and a forthcoming jail deposit, the general fund still shows a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall in current projections. Staff said a jail-related deposit of $611,008.99 is expected to be posted to the general fund, and a planned public‑safety transfer of $3.5 million is awaiting direction from finance. The subcommittee discussed using some iFiber funds as a temporary transfer if needed.

The discussion focused on three near‑term levers to balance the proposed 2026 budget: (1) delaying or reducing transfers from iFiber, (2) moving a portion of the planned public‑safety transfer into the general fund earlier in the year, and (3) lowering specific levies where surplus balances exist (for example, IMRF and Social Security levies were discussed as potential sources). County staff emphasized that transfers would be budgeted and could be withheld if ultimately not needed.

Subcommittee members directed staff to remove fund‑balance uses from several departmental lines in the draft 2026 budget so the proposal would rely on actual revenue rather than on one‑time balance‑sheet items. Staff said several department-level fund‑balance uses currently appear in the report (account code examples discussed included 3990001 and fund 31) and should be set to zero in the proposed budget so totals reflect true revenue and expenses.

Officials also reviewed recent changes staff had made to the draft: modest revenue increases tied to reimbursements (including a DCFS reimbursement and school reimbursement lines), adjustments to payroll and new sheriff positions, and updated transfers processed that morning. Staff reported year‑to‑date general‑fund revenues and expenses that left the county a few million dollars short under current assumptions; at one point in the discussion staff summarized the gap as roughly $3.2 million. Members noted there are roughly two scheduled meetings left before final filing and urged a faster line‑by‑line review.

Practical next steps affirmed by the group included staff emailing the updated budget report to committee members, a detailed line‑by‑line review scheduled for the next Thursday meeting, and returning the resolution for consideration at the following meeting. Several members urged caution about drawing down iFiber balances and suggested using a public‑safety transfer only if necessary.

The subcommittee also discussed levy strategy. Staff reported preliminary assessor figures indicating an approximate 7% rise in assessed value (EAV) countywide; with current levy proposals that could increase levy collections but members explored reducing levies for IMRF and Social Security to use existing surpluses and limit the overall levy rate increase. Staff noted truth‑in‑taxation rules would require hearings if levy increases exceed statutory thresholds.

The meeting closed with administrative items and scheduling confirmations for the next detailed review. No ordinance, resolution or appropriation was passed during the meeting; the subcommittee set tasks for staff and scheduled further budget deliberations.