Will County Hiring Freeze Would Be 'Financially Prudent', Board Speaker Says

WILL COUNTY, IL — A county-wide hiring freeze has been proposed for the 2018 fiscal year in Will County.

Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis, a Frankfort Republican, has called for a countywide hiring freeze for the next fiscal year. According to a release, his announcement was made in the wake of the recently passed state of Illinois budget which reduced funding for local governments.

Moustis 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 in a release. “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.”

According to the release, local governments across Illinois, like 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 will see $2.4 million less.

The board said county health insurance premiums for employees are also 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 in a release. “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.”

According to the release, along with a temporary hiring freeze, Moustis asked departments not to increase their budgets for personnel during the next fiscal year. Essential services, like the Sunny Hill Nursing Home, would be exempt from the freeze. Those currently in the hiring process would also not be affected.

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