DuPage County's books are clean heading into budget season.

Independent auditor Baker Tilly delivered an unmodified "clean" opinion on the county's fiscal year 2025 financial statements at the Finance Committee's Tuesday, Aug. 11 meeting. Managing Director Joe Lightcap told the committee that auditors found no material weaknesses in internal controls for the year ended Nov. 30, 2025. The opinion does not cover the DuPage Airport Authority, which is audited separately.

An unmodified opinion is the highest level of assurance an independent auditor can give, meaning the county's financial statements are materially accurate and free of significant errors. Hinsdale residents fund a share of DuPage County operations through their property tax bills, making the county's fiscal health a direct pocketbook issue.

Chair Paula Deacon Garcia opened the meeting by signaling that rising costs are already shaping the FY2027 budget. "A budget transfer for increased health insurance costs will appear on a future agenda," Garcia told committee members.

That wasn't the only sign of cost pressure. The committee approved a $51,000 transfer from the Treasurer's Office salary line to cover increased printing, paper and postal charges.

Recorder pitches self-funded budget

DuPage County Recorder Elizabeth Chaplin presented her office's FY2027 budget at the same meeting, emphasizing that the Recorder's Office does not draw on the county's general tax levy. The office funds itself through a $26 recording fee, part of the $86 total fee charged for each recorded document. The remaining $60 goes to other county functions.

Chaplin's presentation covered revenues and expenses across three funds: the General Fund, the Document Storage Fund and the GIS Fund. Committee members focused their questions on salary-related matters, according to meeting minutes posted on DuPage County Legistar.

The FY2027 budget process formally launched May 12, when the Finance Committee approved the budget calendar and financial policies. Tuesday's departmental presentations are part of that ongoing review cycle.

In other action, the committee approved a tenfold increase to the DuPage Animal Friends unrestricted grant, raising it from $50,000 to $550,000. No public comments were offered. Member Grant Eckhoff attended remotely; all other members were present in person.

The specific dollar amounts in the Recorder's three-fund budget were not detailed in available meeting records.

Hinsdale Government Week Ahead

The next DuPage County Finance Committee meeting date has not been posted to the county's official calendar. The committee typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month, which would place the next session in September.