Finance

The City is committed to maintaining long-term financial stability through the highest principles of governmental budgeting. This is achieved through sound financial planning and a focus on optimizing resources and maximizing efficiencies. Over the past several years, there have been minimal tax increases to residents and our annual budgets continue to keep City services affordable to the taxpayers.

Additionally, the City is committed to transparency and making materials informative and understandable to the public. Each year, the City’s budget team continues to improve the budget document to effectively communicate budget information to help taxpayers understand how their City government is funded, how their tax dollars are supporting vital services, as well as the City’s Strategic Goals and spending priorities.

Department Overview

The Finance Department is responsible for: revenue collection, utility billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and purchasing. Other functions include: customer service, parking permit administration, real estate transfer tax processing, cash management and maintaining the City’s capital and financial assets and investments. The Finance team manages the City’s annual budget process, various annual audits, issuance of debt as well as appropriation and tax levy ordinances.

Financial Stability

Excellence in Finance Management and Reporting

The City of Des Plaines is a leader in government finance, demonstrated by its consistent awards for excellence in financial management and reporting.

In 2025, the City received the Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA) Triple Crown recognition for three outstanding achievements: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Des Plaines is one of only 200 Triple Crown winners in the country.

Municipal Excellence: Financial Stability

In alignment with the City Council’s Strategic Plan and financial policies, the City of Des Plaines continues to maintain long-term financial strength and stability. The City Manager and Finance Director, in partnership with the City Council, have taken great strides over the past several years to better position the City to be fiscally sound and responsible. 

Those measures include:

• In 2024, the City achieved a 93.57% reduction in overall General Obligation debt since 2005.
• The City has maintained a 25% Fund Balance for 15 consecutive years excluding 2025, in alignment with Council’s financial policies that aim to preserve the City’s financial strength.
• In 2025 the City had $43.5M in capital improvements/investments (street, alley, water, sewer, facilities, IT and equipment improvements, etc.) with no bond issued in 2025.

FAQs