McLean County Finance Committee met Sept. 1.
Here are 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, Members Chuck Erickson, Laurie Wollrab, William Friedrich and Val Laymon
Members Absent: Members Josh Barnett and Gerald Thompson Other Members Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, Interim County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Samantha Vazquez, Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Marshell Thomson, Animal Control; Rebecca McNeil, County Treasurer
Others Present: None
Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Metsker presented the minutes of the August 4, 2021 regular meeting of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Laymon/Friedrich to approve the August 4, 2021 regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee.
Motion carried.
Chairman Metsker confirmed there were no members of the public to appear before the Committee.
Chairman Metsker indicated Kathy Michael, County Clerk was not present and presented on her behalf a request to approve an Illinois State Board of Elections FY22 Polling Place Accessibility Grant. Ms. Laymon asked if these items could be used again. Ms. Metsker stated it was her understanding most could be used again.
Motion by Wollrab/Laymon to recommend approval of an Illinois State Board of Elections FY22 Polling Place Accessibility Grant.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker indicated her monthly reports were in the packet and asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she moved to the next item.
Ms. Marshell Thomson, Animal Control Director presented for action a request to approve an Ordinance by the McLean County Board Amending Chapter 165, Animals, 205 Fees, Article XI Miscellaneous Code Fees, Section 205-32 in the McLean County Code. Ms. Thomson stated that the increase in fees would help cover costs and maintenance at the facility. Ms. Taylor noted this is only the second time to increase in the last 20 years and has focused on what would be cost efficient for the community. Ms. Laymon asked how our fees will compare with other counties. Ms. Thomson stated we are comparable. She also noted the Mensen Fund covers a lot of adoption fees which helps with costs. Ms. Wollrab asked why there was not an increase for the dangerous dog’s fees. Ms. Thomson explained process of designation and annual fee. Ms. Wollrab stated she felt fees should be reviewed on a regular basis. Ms. Metsker asked about time frame. Ms. Wollrab stated a review every 3 to 5 years. Ms. Laymon asked if looking at fees regularly was something we would be considering for all departments or just for this department. Ms. Metsker stated Committee could only request for departments under their purview. Mr. Erickson asked if elected officials could increase fees on their own. Ms. Vazquez stated there are different statutory regulations for how fees can be increased, so it would depend on the fee.
Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to recommend approval of an Ordinance by the McLean County Board Amending Chapter 165, Animals, 205 Fees, Article XI Miscellaneous Code Fees, Section 205-32 in the McLean County Code.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Thompson presented her monthly reports. Ms. Thomson stated repairs from flooding are going well. She stated they were having an adoption event and provided information on that event. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker indicated that Ms. Michelle Anderson, McLean County Auditor was not present, but had not action items or report in the packet and recommended if there were questions from the Committee they contact Ms. Anderson.
Ms. Rebecca McNeil, County Treasurer presented a request to approve a Resolution Authorizing the County Board Chair to Execute a Deed of Conveyance. Ms. McNeil went over process and need for this action item. Ms. Metsker asked her to confirm owners had several years to pay taxes prior to this step. Ms. McNeil confirmed. Mr. Friedrich asked if legal had any issues. Ms. McNeil stated this process is outlined in State Statute. Ms. Vazquez confirmed statute process and no legal issues.
Motion by Friedrich/Wollrab to recommend approval of Resolution Authorizing the County Board Chair to Execute a Deed of Conveyance
Motion Carried.
Ms. McNeil presented for action a request to approve a Resolution Authorizing the County Board Chair to Surrender Tax Sale Certificates of Purchase. Ms. McNeil went over process on these parcels. Ms. McNeil stated this is a good as taxes were not paid for several years and now paid.
Motion by Friedrich/Erickson to recommend approval of a Resolution Authorizing the County Board Chair to Surrender Tax Sale Certificates of Purchase
Motion Carried.
Ms. McNeil presented for action a request to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports. She went over sales tax numbers. Mr. Friedrich asked her to explain 68.54% reduction in PPRT. Ms. McNeil went over calculation and stated the County does not have any control over this. Ms. McNeil indicated they had reached out to get more information on reduction. Ms. Metsker agreed it is hard to determine budget because of this. Mr. Erickson asked and Ms. McNeil provided history of instance when the state made error and the County had to pay back a portion of PPRT.
Ms. McNeil then went over shared sales tax revenue and property tax revenue and motor fuel tax revenue. She went over the investment report and indicated rates are still very low. She let the Committee know she had a meeting scheduled with Chase Bank to discuss investment of County funds, especially ARPA funds. Mr. Friedrich asked if it could get to point where we would have to pay them. Ms. McNeil stated we have avoided that. Mr. Friedrich stated priority for taxpayers should be that our funds are protected. Ms. McNeil confirmed that is her priority.
Ms. McNeil went over benefit fund and indicated that she could not get August numbers as they were not in the system yet. She then went over the nursing home fund including revenue and expenses. Ms. McNeil also went over fees her office charges and indicated all but two are set by State statute.
Motion by Wollrab/Laymon to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Interim County Administrator indicated she had no items to be presented to the Committee. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, she moved to payment of the bills and transfers.
Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with bills in the amount of $752,070.36 for review ,and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor.
Motion by Erickson/Wollrab to approve the bills as presented.
Motion carried.
Under other business Mr. Friedrich stated Nursing Home Fund and Mental Health are important to the Community, but he was concerned about fund balance for the Nursing Home. There was a discussion among members as to benefits of Nursing Home, Blue Ribbon suggestions both completed and in progress, as well as history and future of the Fund Balance. Members asked for update on Blue Ribbon panel suggestions.
Chairman Metsker asked if there was other business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing she adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8366
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