County highway official outlines FY2027 levy placeholder and project matching to secure federal and state aid

A county highway presenter (speaker 2) walked the committee through the County Highway Fund assumptions used in the FY2027 budget draft, recommending a $900,000 property-tax placeholder and explaining how levying to the maximum could qualify the county for an estimated $1,416,000 in federal funding and $262,000 in state matching aid. "If you levy to the max... they give me a 1.4 $1,416,000 of federal funding," the presenter said.

The presenter outlined several expense and investment items that factor into the department’s plan: a GIS sign-location program to catalog and scan sign locations, salary and insurance adjustments for staff, anticipated increases in fuel and asphalt costs, and possible equipment replacements. On equipment and shop repairs, a quoted estimate of roughly $35,000 was noted for some shop work; the presenter described holding some expenditures until projects meet matching thresholds. Committee members questioned snowplowing arrangements with townships and whether bringing in temporary 'snowbirds' or purchasing an additional tandem plow would be more cost-effective, with the presenter warning that fleet and route logistics make substitution complex.

Members also discussed the county-bridge matching program (typically a 20% local share) and transfers from motor fuel tax (MFT) to County Highway for reimbursable maintenance work. The presenter emphasized the uncertainty of some revenue items (Rebuild Illinois) and recommended using conservative forecast formulas while pursuing grants and matching funds.