McLean County Board Finance Committee met June 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Finance Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 404 of the Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.
Members Present: Chairman Jim Soeldner (present), Members Catherine Metsker, Chuck Erickson, Laurie Wollrab, Carlo Robustelli, Jacob Beard and Josh Barnett (others by remote attendance)
Members Absent: None
Other Members Present:
Staff Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator; Ms. Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator, Ms. Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Ms. Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary; Ms. Jessica Woods First Assistant Civil State’s Attorney (remote attendance)
Department Heads/Elected
Officials Present: Ms. Becky McNeil, Treasurer (via remote attendance)
Others Present:
Chairman Soeldner called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum
Chairman Soeldner presented the Minutes of the April 21, 2020 special meeting and May 6, 2020 regular meeting of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Wollrab/Beard to approve the Minutes of the April 21, 2020 special meeting and May 6, 2020 regular meeting of the Finance Committee.
Motion carried.
Chairman Soeldner confirmed there was no members of the public to appear before the Committee.
Ms. McNeil presented her monthly reports. She provided summary of revenue and pointed out the decrease in revenue due to COVID 19. She indicated text month would see decrease in sales tax as that would be the March numbers. She indicated before we were doing well as we were coming in under budget and still under budget, but that will change in the next couple of months. She then went over property taxes and distribution they were able to make. She indicated that the escrow tax files have been coming in. Mr. Barnett asked if we are on track receiving tax payments as compared to a normal year. Ms. McNeil indicated they are not seeing a lot of hold back right now. She indicated she would be able to give a better information after the June 17th due date. She then went over investment report and indicated rates continue to go down. Ms. McNeil went over the Blue Cross Blue Shield report and indicated expenses are under those from May of 2019 which might be due to COVID 19. She then went over the Nursing Home Fund report including decreased revenue due to decreased census and not receiving an IGT payment this month. She went over expenses, receivables and cash for the nursing home.
Ms. McNeil went over report they provide each year that summarizes where the property taxes go including airport authority, schools, and levy. She also showed the division between school districts. Ms. McNeil went over the McLean County Government Tax rate report that shows our rate has been flat since the 2008 collection year and went over the finalized tax rate for current year. Mr. Beard asked her to confirm that the rate that we vote on during the budget changes based on property tax appeal processes. Ms. McNeil confirmed the final rate comes out after all of the appeals are completed in the month of December. Mr. Soeldner stated he appreciated her doing this report and asked where it is posted. Ms. McNeil indicated reports are posted under her section of the website.
Motion by Metsker/Barnett to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Kathy Michael, County Clerk presented for action a request to approve an Illinois Stated Board of Elections Voter Registration State Grant 2020 Acceptance Agreement and Addendum. Ms. Michael stated this is an annual grant and will be about $70,000. She indicated they submit receipts each year and submit more than they are originally told they will get as some counties do not utilize all the funds they are given, and the excess funds are distributed counties that turned in receipts for extra expended funds. Ms. Metsker asked her to confirm this is a reimbursement grant that pays for the previous election. Ms. Michael confirmed.
Motion by Barnett/Beard to recommend approval of an Illinois Stated Board of Elections Voter Registration State Grant 2020 Acceptance Agreement and Addendum.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Michael presented her monthly reports. Ms. Wollrab asked her to provide more information on vote centers. Ms. Michael indicated the legislator passed requirement to provide a vote center and she has been in discussion with City of Bloomington to have one center for both of them. Mr. Soeldner asked if this would be only for election day. Ms. Michael confirmed and went over early voting sites. Ms. Michael went over marriage certificate requests and how they expect them to increase as we start to open back up to the public. Mr. Soeldner asked if there were any further questions for Ms. Michael, hearing none, he thanked her and moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Marshell Thomson of Animal Control was not present, but her month reports were in the packet. Chairman Soeldner asked if there were any questions, hearing none he moved to the next item on the Agenda.
Mr. Soeldner indicated next on the agenda was the Auditor and her general report and asked if there were any questions. Ms. Rodriguez indicated the Auditor would be joining for the special meeting on Monday. Mr. Soeldner moved on to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented a memo from the Economic Development Council providing an update on loan program and marketing for loan program. Chairman Soeldner asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he moved to next item on the agenda.
Ms. Rodriguez presented her report on recent employment activities. Chairman Soeldner asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Ms. Rodriguez indicated they sent out press release on the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program and placed on the website. She stated that Mr. Hoban is aware of time frame as he will assist applicants and will be accepting applications through the end of June and hold the public hearing on June 30th via “Go To Meeting”. She indicated some other counties are doing a second round of this, so it might be something we could do as well later in the year as the program goes through December 31st.
Under other business Ms. Wollrab asked if Ms. Rodriguez could prepare for next month an update on budget and revenue so we can track status of 2020 including unemployment, property taxes. Ms. Rodriguez indicated Staff would be able to provide that next month.
Chairman Soeldner presented the Finance Committee with bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor.
Motion by Metsker/Wollrab to approve the presented transfer and bills with prepaid total and fund total amount of $1,308,986.91.
Motion carried.
Chairman Soeldner reminded the Committee there would be a special meeting on Monday, the 8th at 4:30 p.m. Ms. Rodriguez thanked the Committee for their willingness to attend the special meeting and indicated Staff hoped to get a draft out to them before the meeting and then at the meeting would get final report and memo explaining differences between draft and final. Ms. Metsker asked if cost was a flat fee and there was no additional cost because of the delay. Ms. Rodriguez confirmed.
Chairman Soeldner asked if there was anything else, hearing nothing he adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7387
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