Winnebago County’s Finance Committee failed to agree on a balanced budget Tuesday.
The county has a deficit of more than $7 million. Officials say this is due to increased employee salaries, as well as funds paid out by arbitration. They say one example is that since police aren't allowed to strike, an arbitration court decides the amount awarded in the case of an impasse.
The Rockford Register-Star reports proposed solutions include department heads asking for less money next year, raising the county's property tax rate, and hiring a chief financial officer to better manage accounts.
County Administrator Steve Chapman will give a presentation on these and other proposals to the full board Thursday.