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County highway officials say state invoicing and projects limit levy flexibility; committee trims overtime budget
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Summary
Highway staff told the committee that motor‑fuel tax cash appears large but is largely encumbered by ongoing projects and delayed state invoices; the committee reduced an O05 overtime line from $120,000 to $100,000 for budgeting purposes but acknowledged actual overtime depends on weather and contractor schedules.
County highway staff told the Finance and Budget Committee that while cash on hand in motor‑fuel tax (MFT) accounts appears to be in the millions, significant obligations and delayed state invoices mean much of that balance is committed to projects.
‘‘We have $2.2 million in cash and about $2.6 million in projects,’’ the highway presenter said, noting the state can bill years after projects are completed and that some reimbursements may be outstanding for three to seven years under the state’s schedule. Staff cautioned against equating cash‑on‑hand to unencumbered funds.
Members questioned whether withholding projects in townships with recurring assessment problems or reducing levies was appropriate. The highway office described its role in setting engineering parameters and charging preliminary engineering and inspection fees to townships; it also said townships keep separate MFT allotments and the county holds funds for townships when appropriate.
The committee scrutinized large overtime lines across highway funds and discussed an IDOT audit that prompted splitting maintainer wages across funds to avoid future disallowed reimbursements. Highway staff said overtime is driven in part by weather, storm responses and contractor schedules; they said splitting wages (50/50 between O05 and Fund 17) was intended to reduce audit risk.
For budget presentation purposes the committee agreed to lower the O05 overtime request from $120,000 to $100,000 while recognizing that actual overtime payments could exceed the budget if circumstances require.
Next steps: Highway staff will provide detailed account (GL) listings and a township‑by‑township breakdown of MFT balances and obligations on request.
