Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said his office expects to send at least $100,000 back to county coffers after finishing fiscal year 2016 under budget.
Speaking at his monthly news briefing this week, McMahon expressed pride in that fact, especially as it continues a trend of positive spending results by the office throughout his six-year tenure and which stretches back to his predecessor.
“It’s great news. We do our best to pay close attention to our operating budget,” McMahon said, noting the overall spending plan totals $9.8 million, with the bulk going toward staffing.
McMahon also framed an under-budget year within the context of his recent announcement that, as has been done for several years, he had distributed year-end lump-sum compensatory payments to employees. Most of the lump sums were a combination of a one-time payment plus a cost-of-living adjustment pay increase retroactive to March 2016. The maximum lump sum was $1,000, McMahon said in a statement last week.
Although not a new initiative, McMahon said, he felt compelled to formally announce the payments to educate the public amid discussions about how his office was handling its spending on personnel.
“I want the public to know what we’re doing,” McMahon said, adding that he’s heard from citizens — some curious, some supportive of the move.
The impetus for the payment, which also predates McMahon, has been the long-standing gap between what prosecutors make in Kane County compared to neighboring counties, where some have gone to earn larger paychecks with fewer responsibilities. Several attorneys gained experience in Kane before being hired away over the years, which is why he’s pushed to level the playing field, he said.
“What I want is to pay employees a competitive, fair, responsible wage,” McMahon said. “We’ve narrowed that gap. My hope is that we can get rid of (lump-sum payments). I can do that when the gap is eliminated.”
Kane County Chairman Chris Lauzen raised the issue of lump-sum distributions during budget talks earlier this year and has maintained his opposition to the practice.
“It is important for taxpayers to know this is not a county policy, it is State’s Attorney Joe McMahon’s policy,” said Lauzen, who said McMahon’s office has handed out about $1.6 million in bonuses over the past five years.
The fact the state’s attorney’s office is returning money to the county’s coffers is misleading, Lauzen said. “It’s an unfortunate budget gamesmanship, over budget so you can give some back,” Lauzen said.
Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. Freelancer Gloria Casas contributed.