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Bremen CHSD 228 staff outline budget; debt levy unchanged, no new construction bond planned
Summary
District staff presented a budget overview saying operating funds cover daily costs, revenue is nearly 50/50 local and state, transportation and salaries are major expenses, insurance costs are rising (PPO +21.5%, HMO +7.3%), and the debt-service levy remains unchanged since 2019.
Bremen CHSD 228 staff presented the district's fiscal outlook, saying the budget relies on four main operating funds and three non-operating funds and that the district is maintaining healthy fund balances.
"We are currently maintaining healthy fund balances and a solid financial position," said Speaker 1, the presenter, summarizing the district's financial status. Staff described the operating funds as education; operations and maintenance; transportation; and IMRF and Social Security. Non-operating funds identified were debt service, capital projects and working cash.
Speaker 1 said the district's revenue mix has shifted and is now "almost 50/50" between local and state sources, a change from prior years when local taxes made up a larger share. The presenter warned that inflation trends and timing of property tax receipts make revenue projections more complex this year.
Transportation and purchased services are significant budget drivers. Speaker 2 said transportation "makes up about 55% of the overall budget" for that object, followed by instructional and professional services. The presentation listed purchased services to include outside attorneys, athletic trainers, auditors and the treasurer's office.
Salaries and benefits remain the largest share of operating expenditures, and staff noted notable increases in health insurance costs: "a 21.5% increase to our PPO and a 7.3% increase to our HMO plan," Speaker 1 said. The presenter said there are no additional outstanding qualified school construction bonds and that current projects and programming are being maintained with existing fund balances, which has avoided placing additional burden on taxpayers.
On debt, staff stated the debt-service levy "has remained the same since 2019" and reported it is expected to remain unchanged through 2040 unless the district borrows additional funds. The presenter emphasized ongoing monitoring: district and building administration will continue to review allocations throughout the year and adjust planning and forecasting as needed.
No formal motions or votes were recorded during the presentation. The presenter asked the board for questions at the end of the briefing; the transcript shows discussion moved next to community and extracurricular programming remarks.
The district said it will continue to analyze revenues and expenditures and return to the board with updates as part of its regular financial monitoring.
