Peoria County financial update: July fund balances steady; budget book to be released Sept. 30

County staff reported that Peoria County’s July month-end finances are generally on track and said the recommended budget book will be released Tuesday, Sept. 30. Heather, a county staff member who presented the monthly report, told the board that revenues overall and the general fund are tracking to plan but that year-to-date expenses currently exceed revenues because some larger payments (for example, debt service) occur later in the fiscal year. Heather said personnel spending is at 52% of budget versus an expected 58% through July, attributing the difference largely to vacancies.

The July ending fund balance for all funds was reported as $153,000,000. Heather said the general fund balance figures in the packet varied in phrasing but cited $31.5 million “including PCAPS” and referenced a $33,800,000 general fund balance figure in the same discussion. She also reported Public Product Replacement Tax (PPRT) receipts of $4,300,000 to date and an anticipated roughly $1,200,000 remaining in two distributions (October and December), noting that PPRT is a volatile revenue source and the shortfall was considered in the FY2026 budget planning.

On the long-term care service fund, Heather reported a July fund balance of $3,600,000 and interest earned to date of just over $68,000, and said the fund remains on track to meet board goals. Heather also noted that several capital projects have been completed this year but that final payments and formal closeouts can take a couple of months after physical completion.

County Administrator Sarah explained the timing and workflow for the recommended budget. She said the board members will receive the recommended budget before it is posted online; any changes between department requests and the recommended budget are worked through in conversations between staff and department heads up until the book is finalized and printed. Sarah reviewed the amendment process under the county board’s rules of order: committees may amend the recommended budget; executive committee and the full committee will meet jointly to endorse, reverse, or alter committee amendments; and board members who wish to file a floor amendment on the appropriation and levy ordinances must file notice by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week the ordinances are considered with the committee chair (Miss Williams) or the administrator.

A member requested the budget book in both electronic and PDF formats; Sarah confirmed both will be published and that a hard copy will be available on request. Multiple board members thanked the budget team for meeting the release timeline.

The report and timeline were presented as information; no additional formal action was taken at this meeting.