County Board Approves Balanced Budget with No New Taxes

The Sangamon County Board approved a balanced $206 million budget Tuesday with no new taxes or fees and a property tax rate expected to fall for the fifth consecutive year.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget totals $206,072,498 and includes funding for public safety, county operations and major construction projects. The county's property tax rate is also expected to remain below its 1993 level, more than three decades ago.

"This, I believe, will be the 5th year that the county's property tax rate will go down," County Administrator Brian McFadden said. "That's pretty unprecedented. We haven't seen that here at the county level in quite some time, and I don't know of any other taxing body in the county that has reduced its rate 5 years in a row."

The budget includes additional funding for the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, including three more deputy positions and expanded training opportunities under Sheriff Paula Crouch.

Since taking office, Crouch has made improving deputy training a priority, moving away from online courses in favor of more in-person instruction. The change gives deputies opportunities to ask questions, work through real-life scenarios and learn directly from instructors and one another. Deputies have also completed de-escalation training, and the Sheriff's Office has worked with the Springfield Police Department to provide joint training opportunities.The three additional deputy positions will help address staffing needs and strengthen the department's ability to respond to calls throughout Sangamon County.

The budget also provides funding for continued work on the Springfield-Sangamon County Hub and the $16.2 million Public Health and Community Services Building. The public health project will bring several county and community services under one roof, making it easier for residents to access health care, housing assistance, employment resources and other services in one location.

Another significant savings in the new budget comes from the elimination of the County Recorder's Office, which is expected to save taxpayers approximately $430,000 annually.

Recorder Frank Lesko made eliminating his own elected office a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign, promising to save taxpayers money by combining its operations with the County Clerk's Office. Lesko initially estimated the move would save more than $250,000 a year, with the potential for additional savings over time.

Voters approved the consolidation with nearly 68 percent of the vote in April 2025. Lesko has since worked with County Clerk Don Gray to prepare for the transition, including cross-training employees and combining operations. The merger takes effect December 1, with the latest budget estimates putting annual savings at approximately $430,000.

“For five straight years, we've been able to lower the county's property tax rate, and we're doing it again without raising taxes or cutting the services people count on,” said Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter. “We're adding sheriff's deputies, improving training and moving forward with major projects, all while balancing our budget. I think that's something Sangamon County taxpayers can feel good about.”

The new budget takes effect Dec. 1, 2026, and covers county operations through Nov. 30, 2027.