Preliminary budget shows $981,000 in levied income vs. $1.8 million in expenses; possible wind-farm permit revenue noted

Chair Sarah Mussman opened the preliminary budget discussion, stressing the numbers presented were preliminary and provided by department heads. Mussman said the Public Building Commission's four-year analysis showed roughly $981,000 in levied income against about $1.8 million in expenses and cautioned the presented budget does not include health insurance cost increases or tort transfers.

Committee members discussed potential revenue from two proposed wind farms; Mussman noted the projects could generate up to $100,000 in permit fees but added Illinois caps permit fees at $50,000 per permit. The committee also discussed whether levy-extension funds could be kept in Ford County, contingent on statute and legality, and acknowledged that ARPA funds are no longer available to cover some costs.