Springfield, Ill. – Sangamon County officials unveiled a fiscal‑year‑2027 spending plan that trims overall expenditures while continuing a historic run of property‑tax reductions. The $206 million budget, presented by County Administrator Brian McFadden to the County Board on Tuesday night, is about five percent lower than the $217 million plan approved for FY 2026.

Why the budget is smaller

McFadden explained that the lower total reflects the use of bond proceeds and other capital‑fund reserves that were built up in previous years for one‑time projects, primarily infrastructure improvements. “That reflects the expenditure of bond proceeds and other capital funds, where reserves were built up over a period of time, specifically to be spent on one‑time items, primarily capital projects,” he said, noting that the FY 2026 budget had been more than 35 percent higher than the prior year to fund those projects.

Property‑tax levy rate continues to fall

What sets this budget apart, McFadden said, is the property‑tax levy rate. “I believe this will be the fifth year that the county’s property tax rate will go down,” he told the board. “That’s pretty unprecedented. We haven’t seen that here at the county level in quite some time. I don’t know if any other taxing body in the county has reduced its rate five years in a row.”

The county’s levy accounts for roughly ten percent of the average property‑tax bill, meaning most homeowners will see only a modest impact on their overall tax burden. McFadden cautioned that new construction and rising property values could cause a slight increase for some, but emphasized that any rise would be limited in scope.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) changes

Another factor that could affect local revenue is the expiration of the Northend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in FY 27. “The Northend TIF is expiring in FY 27,” McFadden noted. “We will be able to recapture property‑tax revenue that will no longer go into the TIF and will now come back to the taxing bodies, primarily the schools.” This recapture is expected to bolster school funding without raising the levy.

Next steps

The County Board will consider the annual property‑tax levy request in December, when it will be placed on the ballot for voter approval. If passed, the budget will guide county operations for the next fiscal year, which begins on December 1.

Implications for residents

For families and businesses in Sangamon County, the budget signals a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent use of reserves. By keeping the overall spending down and maintaining a declining tax rate, the administration aims to preserve essential services while respecting the financial concerns of taxpayers.

Community leaders and local advocacy groups have praised the approach as a model of responsible stewardship, noting that lower taxes can help families retain more of their hard‑earned income and support local economic stability.

Full details of the FY 2027 budget are available in the county’s PDF release.

Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.