McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre isn't counting on any federal stimulus money to provide COVID-19 relief, but said the county is well positioned to handle fiscal uncertainties the pandemic could bring next year.
Funding for state and local governments is a key component of a COVID relief bill that is being negotiated in Washington.
McIntyre said Tuesday the county will get along fine without the help, but he's concerned how state budget cuts Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered could impact the county's bottom line.
“We don’t know what the outcome will be come 2021, if there’s going to be any cutbacks to state grants and what the state will do, and that will make a difference,” McIntyre said during the county board's virtual meeting. “Obviously, that will impact our operations.”
The county is getting reimbursed for COVID-related expenses as all local governments are, though McIntyre noted that funding hasn't yet arrived.
Earlier on Tuesday, Pritzker called for $700 million in state budget cuts because of the pandemic, and renewed his call on the federal government to provide additional COVID relief.
McIntyre said the county doesn't need a federal bailout.
“We’re not operating in the red like many counties who are going to the state asking for more and more money all the time because they don’t seem to be able to manage,” he said.
McIntyre added he doesn’t foresee the need for the county to raise taxes. Last month, the county adopted a $104 million budget for 2021 that keeps property taxes level.
Nursing home rates
In another matter, the county board approved a 3% increase in private pay rates at the McLean County Nursing Home in Normal. The daily rate will increase from $239 to $246 for someone living in a private room on prvate pay. The daily rate will increase from $222 to $229 for a semi-private room on private pay.
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