Roger Fonstock, director of Kane County IT and Buildings, told the commission on Jan. 13 that fiscal‑year 2025 closed with sales‑tax receipts (RTA) about 98% of projection and expenses running under budget by roughly $394,000. Fonstock said the commission did not use the fund balance budgeted for FY2025 and he expects final invoices may reduce the reported underspend slightly.

Looking to 2026, Fonstock presented a recommended budget of $2,030,422. The proposal includes a planned fund‑balance utilization of $353,000 intended for one‑time projects and carryovers from prior work. He said software license and maintenance obligations and outstanding consulting invoices could still affect closing figures and that quarterly payments are typical for software maintenance.

Commissioners pressed on personnel costs. One commissioner raised a question about a roughly $53,000 increase in salaries and whether the budget included a cost‑of‑living adjustment (CPI). Fonstock said a CPI increase was not included in the budget as submitted and that moving additional funds into personnel would require consultation with the finance department and possibly a formal budget amendment or resolution.

Fonstock said, based on current receipts and anticipated invoices, the department expects to finish FY2025 “in the black by several $100,000,” and reiterated that the commission had recommended the budget that the county board later approved. He said the commission would receive a fuller expense report at the next meeting covering a 90‑day period of the new fiscal year.

Next procedural step: the commission will monitor final FY2025 invoices and, if necessary, work with finance staff on recommended adjustments to personnel funding and bring those changes back to the commission for formal action.