The DuPage County Board approved the 2016 budget on Nov. 24, which reduces spending and includes no property tax increase for the eighth consecutive year. The budget is $444.4 million, a decrease of $5.1 million from the previous year’s approved budget. It includes $56.5 million in capital projects for stormwater, drainage and road construction and $66.9 million in property taxes. Additionally, the DuPage County sales tax will fall a quarter-cent on Jan. 1, 2016. That portion of the sales tax currently funds the DuPage Water Commission, which moves toward becoming a self-sustaining utility. The sales tax reduction returns an estimated $33 million to consumers. Since taking office in 2010, County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has cut more than $33 million from the county’s budget. The 2016 budget took effect Dec. 1. To view the full budget, visit www.dupageco.org/finance.