PIKE COUNTY’S FIRST 2027 BUDGET DRAFT SHOWS $803,000 GAP

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pike County officials began the difficult work of developing the county’s 2027 budget Wednesday evening, with the first working draft showing projected General Fund expenses exceeding anticipated revenue by approximately $803,000.

The preliminary figures presented to the Pike County Board estimate 2027 General Fund revenue at $5,855,683 and departmental requests and other projected expenses at approximately $6,659,110. County officials repeatedly emphasized that these are early working figures based largely on requests submitted by department heads—not an adopted budget or final spending plan.

Officials said the county must now find ways to narrow the gap through spending reductions, additional revenue or adjustments to the departmental requests. The preliminary shortfall does not yet include additional money that might be needed for contingencies.

The Sheriff’s Department received particular attention because it represents approximately $2.2 million of the county’s roughly $6 million General Fund operation.

Sheriff David Greenwood told the board that payroll projections will be revised because two anticipated deputy positions would begin at entry-level wages. Board members also reviewed overtime, training, fuel, prisoner medical care and other operating expenses.

The county currently houses approximately 15 federal prisoners at a rate of $60 per inmate per day. If that population remains steady, it could produce approximately $328,500 in annual revenue. Greenwood also said a renegotiated prisoner medical-services agreement is expected to reduce costs by approximately $42,000 to $43,000 annually.

Officials identified several possible revenue adjustments during the discussion. The county’s personal-property replacement-tax estimate may increase to approximately $198,000, while projected landfill tipping-fee revenue was adjusted to a more conservative estimate of $425,000.

While the first 2027 worksheet shows a sizable gap, Walker Filbert challenged the suggestion that Pike County is currently running a deficit in the 2026 fiscal year.

Using figures from the county’s financial system, Filbert said the General Fund finished the first nine months of the fiscal year approximately $183,500 ahead when $250,000

in wind-farm revenue is included. Without that one-time revenue, the fund was running approximately $66,000 behind—less than one percent of the county’s expense budget.

Filbert also said revenue was running at approximately 73 percent of its annual budget through August, while expenses were at about 70 percent. By that comparison, expenses were approximately $314,000 below budget while revenue was roughly $128,000 below projections, producing a net positive budget variance of approximately $187,000.

Pike County has collected more than $20.6 million in property taxes during the current collection cycle, but only about $1.1 million—or 5.3 percent—was directed to the county’s General Fund. The remainder supports schools, townships and other local taxing bodies.

Based on present revenue and spending trends, Filbert projected that the General Fund could finish the fiscal year approximately $622,000 ahead. Removing the $250,000 in wind-farm revenue would leave a projected operational surplus of approximately $372,000. He cautioned that the projection is based on current trends and the final three months could produce different results.

The board did not approve a 2027 budget or adopt any spending reductions Wednesday. Members will continue reviewing departmental requests and discussing the budget at upcoming meetings.

In separate action, the board approved four health-insurance options for county employees for 2027, along with the proposed employee contribution rates. The action includes monthly Health Savings Account contributions of $150 for Fraternal Order of Police members and $100 for other eligible employees enrolled in qualifying high-deductible plans. Union representatives retain the right to bargain over the changes.