PEORIA (25News Now) -Peoria County government officials are proposing a $183 million budget for the next fiscal year, nearly $9 million more than this year, while keeping its property tax rate unchanged.
County Administrator Scott Sorrel said the increased spending is largely driven by investments in infrastructure, rising personnel costs and efforts to maintain county services.
“We want to invest in our buildings and invest in our roads and our bridges,” Sorrel said. “And then secondly, we continue to focus on having a highly skilled, highly competent workforce.”
According to Sorrel, roughly 62% of county spending goes toward its workforce, including wages, benefits and state-mandated pension obligations. Approximately 60% of the county’s budget supports public safety and criminal justice services.
The county is also proposing to use approximately $12.7 million from its reserves, primarily for major infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
Sorrel explained that the county intentionally saves money over time to pay for expensive projects, such as bridge replacements, rather than using reserves to cover every day operating expenses.
The county expects to begin 2027 with approximately $141 million in reserves across all its funds and finish the year with slightly more than $128 million.
Sorrel emphasized that the county’s general fund is balanced without relying on reserves.
What does this mean for taxpayers?
Despite the increase in spending, the county plans to maintain its existing property tax rate.
However, Sorrel says that doesn’t necessarily mean homeowners will see the same amount on their property tax bills.
“Property values are anticipated to grow, for tax bills payable in 2027,” Sorrel said.
As property values increase, the county expects to collect additional property tax revenue, even without raising its tax rate.
Sorrel said Peoria County accounts for roughly 10% of a resident’s overall property tax bill, depending on where they live.
Where is the money going?
Among the county’s biggest priorities are continued improvements to the Peoria County Jail.
Sorrel says the first phase of the jail’s master plan, which is already fully funded, will involve constructing new kitchen and laundry facilities.
When the jail was expanded in the late 1990s, those facilities were not expanded to accommodate the larger building. Sorrel said the equipment is now aging and the facilities need upgrades.
The proposed budget also includes $1.5 million to be set aside for the second phase of improvements, expected in the coming years.
That phase will focus on replacing aging mechanical systems, particularly in portions of the jail dating back to 1985.
Long-term plans could also include converting some of the jail’s existing housing units into facilities better equipped to address behavioral health needs.
Sorrel said more than 60% of the county jail’s population has a mental health, behavioral health or substance use diagnosis, or a combination of those conditions.
Other planned improvements include rebuilding the courthouse’s Main Street entrance, upgrading courtrooms and consolidating certain county offices.
Looking ahead, Sorrel says one of the county’s biggest financial challenges will be maintaining services while keeping them affordable for residents.
“Affordability is obviously a huge issue,” Sorrel said. “And that means that we’ve just got to be smarter with the revenues that we have.”
The Peoria County Board is reviewing the proposed budget before taking final action.
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