McLean County Board passes $137 million budget

Posted on November 15, 2024

*The $137 million budget represents a 6.5% decrease from the past year. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Board on Thursday voted to pass its budget for fiscal year 2025.

The $137 million budget represents a 6.5% decrease from the past year. Nearly half, 47%, will go to paying county employee salaries, up 4% from last year.

The budget also includes $18 million for 52 capital projects, such as plumbing, elevator modernization, playground equipment, security upgrades, seven county highway projects and more.

“This is the largest tax levy drop that we’ve seen as far as the rate drop. We dropped almost 7%, so this is the largest drop we’ve had since I’ve been on the board. I’m proud of the budget and the work that went into it. I’m proud of the work, and voted yes to support our employees,” said Elizabeth Johnston, vice chair of McLean County Board.

McLean County board member Chuck Erickson was one of six members who voted ‘no’ on the budget.

“I think we need to make sure we continue the fiscal conservatism, which this county has had a long and proud history of. There’s a lot of things in the budget I liked, very concerned about the levy,” he said.

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