County reports below‑budget first‑quarter revenues; staff flags tax‑settlement timing and grant rollovers

County finance staff told the committee that, through March (the first quarter), countywide revenues were at 19.8% of expected annual revenues and expenditures were at 17.7% of budgeted amounts.

Shadi Lunden, presenting the quarterly report, said the general fund had received 19.3% of expected revenues and recorded 20.5% of expected expenditures. She told committee members to expect the first formal property‑tax settlement in June and the next Peoria Public Road Tax (PPRT) distribution in July, both of which could materially affect second‑quarter figures.

Lunden noted changes in revenue mix: local use tax collections have declined substantially due to recent legislative changes, but some of that has been offset to date by increases in sales taxes (including supplemental sales tax and public facility sales tax). She cautioned that projections were based on only two months of updated activity and would be refined over time.

Staff also told the committee of specific line‑item effects: a $117,000 appropriation rolled over for a digital equity grant meant county administration revenues appear below budget this fiscal year while the associated expenses will appear in later periods. The public defender’s expected grant has not yet recorded revenue or expense. Fines appeared low because late fees on property taxes are recorded in December; fines through March were at 33.9% of their annual budget excluding those tax‑late fees.

On other items, Lunden reported the county had received a $40,000 contract reimbursement from the 4 Creeks Wind energy project; as related expenses are processed that revenue will be recorded. She also explained timing artifacts that inflate midyear expense categories — insurance premiums paid in January and twice‑annual debt transfers for bond payments — that typically even out by fiscal year end.

In separate fund reporting, a presenter reported the long‑term care services fund had a March fund balance of about $2,700,000, had earned roughly $90,000 in interest between the prior year and the current fiscal year, and remained on track toward a projected year‑end balance of about $4,120,000.

Committee members asked no substantive follow‑up questions at the meeting; staff said updated revenue projections will be provided in future quarterly reports and again when the June tax settlement and July distributions are recorded.