Will County Board Speaker Proposes Hiring Freeze
Prudence urged ahead of new budget
JOLIET— Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort) has called for a countywide hiring freeze for the 2018 fiscal year. His announcement was made in the wake of the recently passed state of Illinois budget which reduced funding for local governments. He has also asked county departments to hold the line on personnel hires for the remainder of this year’s fiscal budget.
“It would be financially prudent for the county to take steps now to compensate for expected funding cuts from the state,” Moustis said. “We have to plan accordingly and not outspend our revenues. I believe we can make our hiring choices more efficient without impacting any vital services to the people of Will County.”
“It would be financially prudent for the county to take steps now to compensate for expected funding cuts from the state,” Moustis said. “We have to plan accordingly and not outspend our revenues. I believe we can make our hiring choices more efficient without impacting any vital services to the people of Will County.”
Local governments across Illinois, such as Will County, will see less funding from the state of Illinois as it keeps a greater percentage of local sales tax receipts and decreases replacement tax allocations, local distribution funds, sales tax surcharges, and regional transit authority dollars. Will County specifically will see $2.4 million less. Finally, county health insurance premiums for employees are expected to rise by an estimated $2.3 million next year. In total, Will County will have to make up for a $4.7 million reduction in revenue. The total county budget for the current fiscal year is $570 million.
“We will see less money next year, but nothing we can’t handle,” Moustis said. “I’m just asking the county executive and all other departments to plan ahead so they don’t get stuck in a tight spot next year.”
Along with a temporary hiring freeze, Moustis asked departments not to increase their budgets for personnel during the next fiscal year. Essential services, such as the Sunny Hill Nursing Home, would be exempt from the freeze. Individuals currently in the hiring process would also not be affected.
“We will see less money next year, but nothing we can’t handle,” Moustis said. “I’m just asking the county executive and all other departments to plan ahead so they don’t get stuck in a tight spot next year.”
Along with a temporary hiring freeze, Moustis asked departments not to increase their budgets for personnel during the next fiscal year. Essential services, such as the Sunny Hill Nursing Home, would be exempt from the freeze. Individuals currently in the hiring process would also not be affected.
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