Comptroller Rogers told the Kankakee City budget committee that December financial statements show no major red flags and that revenue and expenditures are broadly in line with expectations. "There's really nothing out of whack," Rogers said, adding the city is sitting at about 75% of expected revenues for the budget year and that having received property-tax receipts pushes that percentage higher.

Rogers warned the committee that January will include three payroll periods, which will increase salary expenses for that month. She also explained a large grants line—about $300,000—reflects unexpected grant revenue tied to the Riverwalk project and will be used to pay Riverwalk-related costs when processed through the city's accounts.

On audit timing, Rogers said the city filed for an extension and has had to extend beyond that; staff are working to complete the audit in January. To improve capacity and help with project-level tracking and grant reporting, Rogers announced two new hires: a senior accountant (a replacement for a prior employee) and an additional accountant to handle CDA/grant compliance. The new staff members have started and are expected to appear before the committee next month so members can meet them.

Rogers also pointed to cash balances, saying the city had received its property taxes and that interest income (about $90,000 in Illinois funds this year) is helping the cash position. She noted a printing-error on one report's year date but confirmed collections equaled "103% of what we levied," including some amounts recovered that had been written off previously.

The committee did not take formal action on any finance items during the meeting; Rogers said staff will continue reclassifying some expenditures to ARPA and ECDA grant categories as audits and accounting adjustments proceed.