McLean County Finance Committee Met Jan. 6.
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 Catherine Metsker (in-person) Members Gerald Thompson, Chuck Erickson, Laurie Wollrab, Josh Barnett, William Friedrich and Val Laymon (via 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; Samantha Vazquez, Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Ms. Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary (In-Person); Chris Spanos First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division (via remote attendance)
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Ms. Becky McNeil, Treasurer (in person), Marshell Thomson (via remote attendance)
Others Present:
Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Metsker presented the Minutes of December 2, 2020 regular meeting of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Erickson/Wollrab to approve the December 2, 2020 regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee.
Motion carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the Chairman.
Chairman Metsker asked if there were any members of the public to appear before the Committee. Ms. Rodriguez indicated a request had been received to speak at the meeting, but Administration had not heard back from the individual nor were not present. Ms. Metsker moved forward with the agenda.
Chairman Metsker indicated that Ms. Kathy Michael, County Clerk has sent an email to Ms. Metsker stated she was unable to attend. Ms. Metsker stated that Ms. Michael encouraged members to please contact her with any questions about her reports or general questions about her office.
Ms. Marshell Thomson of Animal Control provided a general overview of their programs and went over numbers in her reports. Mr. Erickson stated that several years ago Animal Control was moved from the Health Department to a separate department under the oversight of the Finance Committee and they had set goals at that time to try to bring down euthanasia rates and increase adoptions. He stated that he felt Marshal had done an excellent job and thanked her for all her efforts. Ms. Metsker agreed. Mr. Thompson indicated that numbers do not match for number of animals in and out of the facility. Ms. Thomson indicate it is a rolling number so does not always matchup. Ms. Laymon asked about comparison from 2019 and decrease in possible revenue. Ms. Thomson indicated adoption fee is only $10.00 so it does not bring in enough to cover costs. She stated that medical treatments are provided through a trust fund to help offset the costs. Ms. Thomson also indicated the transfer information does not always include all the agencies they partner with and provided a couple of examples of agencies that only take specific types of dogs. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions, hearing none he thanked her.
Member Erickson departed the meeting at 4:55.
Chairman Metsker indicated Ms. Michelle Anderson, County Auditor was not present, and did not have a report on file.
Ms. Rebecca McNeil, McLean County Treasurer presented her monthly reports. She asked them to please call her office if they wanted in-depth information on the numbers provided. She then went over her reports including summary of tax revenue, budget comparison, shared sale tax revenue, property tax revenue and motor fuel tax revenue, investments and blue cross blue shield health insurance information. Ms. McNeil then went over the Nursing Home report
including year-to-date numbers for revenue and expenses, cash and investments and fund equity. She noted the numbers are through November and would be adjusted with transfers from other funds when the numbers are finalized for year end. Ms. Metsker encouraged members to meet with Ms. McNeil outside of this meeting if they had more questions.
Motion by Barnett/Friedrich to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried. Roll call vote – all present voted yes including the Chairman.
Ms. Wollrab asked the number at the bottom of the health insurance report that showed a decrease in members enrolled. There was discussion about decrease in number and Ms. Taylor indicated they could provide her with reasons that the number was down 25 employees from the beginning of the year.
Ms. Camille Rodriguez County Administrator presented for action a request to approve an Amendment to the Funded Full Time Equivalent Positions Resolution for FY2021 for the Health Fund 0112, Health Department 0061, Health Promotion 0067. Ms. Rodriguez indicated this was also presented to the Health Committee on Monday and provided explanation as to transition in positions and the savings that would be recognized. Ms. Wollrab asked if the Board of Health also reviewed these. Ms. Rodriguez stated that because the Health Department budget falls under the County the request comes to the County Board. Ms. Wollrab stated she understood but felt the Board of Health should also review this. Ms. Rodriguez stated when she was with the Health Department, she would apprise the Board of Health but would also come to the County Board for approval. Ms. Wollrab asked if she had apprised the
Board of Health. Ms. Rodriguez indicated she could not speak for Ms. McKnight as to whether she had apprised the Board of Health. Ms. Wollrab stated she would be voting no because she felt Ms. McKnight needed to be there to answer questions. Mr. Barnett asked if Health Committee approved. Ms. Rodriguez stated it was approved unanimously and Ms. McKnight was present at that meeting to answer questions. Ms. Laymon stated she understood grants needed to be put in certain budgets but concerned that during the pandemic we are moving from multiple individuals down to fewer individuals who would be public facing. She asked for more clarification as to our strategy for outreach regarding public health concerns.
Ms. Rodriguez indicated public health outreach that is conducted by public health promotion specialists are prescribed by grants given by the Illinois Department of Illinois Public Health and if we are achieving the goals then we do not receive the grants. She stated it may seem like they are cutting programs, but the good news is that they are achieving health outcomes, so the grant amounts decrease. She stated that when outcomes are achieved, we do not have enough work for individuals. She said Ms. McKnight is managing a pandemic without someone at her side to help manage the media and write scripts about the pandemic and stated that from experience she appreciated having the latest information handed to you before meeting with the media. Ms. Rodriguez stated she felt this position was a vital position and would be handling pandemic information for at least another year and would also be a liaison for the public with both the Health Department and the Emergency Management Agency. Ms. Laymon thanked her for providing more information about the position.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of an Amendment to the Funded Full Time Equivalent Positions Resolution for FY2021 for the Health Fund 0012, Health Department 0061, Health Promotion 0067.
Motion carried. Roll call vote – Ms. Wollrab said no. all members present voted yes, including the chairman.
Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Class C Raffle License for the Fraternal Order of Eagles #527.
Motion by Barnett/Friedrich to recommend approval of the Class C Raffle License for the Fraternal Order of Eagles #527.
Motion carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes, including the chairman.
Ms. Rodriguez presented her report on recent employment activities. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with bills in the amount of $1,180,894.77 for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor.
Motion by Thompson/Wollrab to approve the presented transfer and bills with prepaid total and fund total amount of $1,180,894.77.
Motion carried. Roll call vote – all present voted yes including the Chairman.
Under other business Ms. Wollrab stated she was disappointed with actions that occurred at the Capital today and hoped the Board could put forth a statement condemning those actions. Ms. Laymon also express concern and support for Ms. Wollrab’s suggestion.
Chairman Metsker asked if there was anything else, hearing nothing he adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7959
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