McLean County Board Justice Committee met March 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman George Gordon, Members George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Carlo Robustelli, Randall Martin, Lyndsay Bloomfield
Members Absent: Member Jim Soeldner
Other County Board Members Present:
Staff Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator, Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Mr. Donald Knapp, State’s Attorney, Mr. Michael Donovan, Director Court Services; Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center, Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender, Ms. Kathy Yoder, Coroner; Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff; Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit
Clerk
Others Present:
Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the January 21, 2020 special meeting and February 4, 2020 regular meeting for approval.
Motion by Schafer/Martin to approve the minutes from the January 21, 2020 special meeting and February 4, 2020 regular meeting.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender presented her caseload report. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any further questions; hearing none, he thanked her.
Ms. Rodriguez indicated that Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center was not present as she was attending conference but indicated her reports were included in the packet and would answer any questions. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Jon Sandage, McLean County Sheriff presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2020 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance General Fund – Sheriff’s Department 0029. Mr. Sandage indicated he was not sure total funding they would need as he was not sure when there would be legislative action to assist with funding. Mr. Gordon asked if there had been discussions about legislative action. Mr. Sandage indicated there had been conversations but no action. Ms. Schafer asked if amount was for one person. Mr. Sandage confirmed it was for one deputy at the academy now. He stated they plan to send another 3 to 5 deputies this year and up to 10 correctional officers. Mr. Sandage indicated in the past they never received a bill it was direct billing between the academy and the training standards board, but now we received a bill with no guarantee we will be reimbursed. Mr. Gordon asked how far in advance the Sheriff’s department makes commitments to go to the academy. Mr. Sandage indicated they reserve spots several months in advance at the Academy as there are not enough spots.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2020 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance General Fund – Sheriff’s Department 0029
Motion Carried. Chair voted
Mr. Sandage presented his monthly reports. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any further questions on the reports; hearing none, he thanked him.
Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner presented her monthly reports. She indicated autopsy numbers were up and went over those numbers. Mr. Gordon asked how this affected them daily. Ms. Yoder indicated they usually have one to two autopsies a day and now have 6 scheduled for the next day and 2 for the following day. Ms. Schafer asked if increase caused by taking over for Sangamon County. Ms. Yoder indicated that was some of it, but all counties are up right now for different causes including McLean County. Ms. Yoder stated she has a great staff working to keep up. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any further comments or questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Donald Knapp, State’s Attorney, presented the State’s Attorney reports. Mr. Knapp indicated there is a lack of attorneys for hire outside of Chicago. He went over numbers of attorney’s licensed in other counties beside Cook County in the last five years and the lack of applications for open positions. Ms. Schafer asked about reasons behind this. Mr. Knapp indicated fewer graduating law school, salary and location and types of law individuals want to practice are all factors. He stated he did not feel salary was a main factor. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any other questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Michael Donovan, Director of Court Services presented his monthly reports. He highlighted that staff of the new emerging adult program was asked to go to Loyola University to discuss the program as McLean County is one of the few counties doing this. Ms. Schafer asked if we are the only county in the state or country. Mr. Donovan confirmed only one in the state with a program for 18-21-year-old individuals. Ms. Schafer asked about best practices they are utilizing. Mr. Donovan indicated they are still defining processes but are utilizing best practices from other disciplines. Ms. Bloomfield asked if they had any success cases to share with the Committee. Mr. Donovan indicated he would check with Staff and bring something to them. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any further questions for Mr. Donovan; hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk present his monthly reports. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none he thanked Mr. Everhart.
Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator provided her report on recent positions filled. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none he thanked her.
Under other Business Ms. Rodriguez indicated Staff is working on training costs for the Sheriff and did not bring larger dollar amount in the appropriation as they were still working on solutions. Mr. Robustelli asked if the Asset Forfeiture Fund could be utilized. Ms. Woods indicated the fund is restricted but they were looking into whether that could be short-term option. Mr. Gordon asked if there have been discussions among other counties about possible assistance. Ms. Rodriguez indicated she had not heard any discussions. She indicated it is difficult to determine how the fines and fees changes are going to affect the budget and provided example of legislation that has been proposed that would change DUI fines and fees that would affect the budget. Mr. Gordon stated he felt the general opinion regarding fines and fees as opposed to taxes is changing. Ms. Rodriguez indicated Administration will work to adjust the budget based on changing revenues. She indicated this will affect more than the Sheriff department. She stated other departments may not have other places to pull revenue from to balance their budget. Ms. Schafer stated she felt this was pushing costs down to the local level, but since this is a public safety issue, she hoped legislation would come forward to assist with these costs.
Chairman Gordon presented bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a Prepaid and Fund Total of $429,083.07.
Motion by Robustelli/Bloomfield to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid and fund total of $429,083.07.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 5:01 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7264
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