The DeKalb County Finance Committee proposed three referendums to be placed on the ballot next year.

These referendums are in response to a $58.6 million fiscal year 2006 budget.

“These items are geared toward providing services within our county, as the costs go up,” said County Administrator Ray Bockman.

The spending plan contains tax referendums geared toward forest preserve land acquisition, the Veterans Affairs Commission and expanding staff and facilities at the DeKalb County Jail.

The forest preserve does not have the funds to operate and the jail needs to expand to handle the capacity and staff, he said.

Spending is increasing within employees’ wages and insurance costs for the county’s FY2006 budget, according to the budget narrative, posted at www.dekalbcounty.org. An increase of 10 percent, or up to $5 million, in spending is to be made this year.

“The referendums call for a property tax [increase] of 3 percent for the Forest Preserve lands and the Veterans Assistance Commission … The jail expansion would be a sales tax of one-half of one percent,” Bockman said.

The referendums will affect veterans, homeowners and consumers, he said.

The reason the referendums are going on the ballot is because the county does not have the authority to levy any tax without the permission of the voters, Bockman said.

“Any voters who live within the county and are currently registered are able to vote,” said Mary Lynn Meisch, Chief Deputy of Elections.

“The veterans’ affairs and forest preserve referendums will be on the ballot for the March 21st primary,” she said. “The public safety sales tax will be voted upon in November 2006.”

There will be a public hearing discussing the tax ordinances and overall budget at the next finance committee on Nov. 2. The county board is expected to vote and adopt the budget later that month.