McLean County Times

McLean County Board Finance Committee met Feb. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Minutes of the Finance Committee Special Meeting 

The Finance Committee of the McLean County Board met at 2:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.

Members Present: Chairman Catherine Metsker, Members Chuck Erickson, Josh Barnett, William Friedrich and Val Laymon

Members Absent: Member Gerald Thompson

Other Members Present: None

Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Chris Spanos First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary

Department Heads/Elected

Officials Present: Marshell Thomson, Animal Control; Rebecca McNeil, County Treasurer; Kathy Michael, County Clerk

Others Present: Tim Wiley, Nursing Home; Will Scanlon, Circuit Court Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.

Chairman Metsker presented the December 16, 2021, special meeting and January 5, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee for approval.

Motion by Barnett/Laymon to approve the December 16, 2021, special meeting and January 5, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee Motion carried.

Chairman Metsker confirmed with Ms. Taylor there were no requests to speak by members of the public or employees.

Ms. Marshell Thomson, Animal Control Director presented her monthly reports and updates on services and indicated they had no events coming up. She thanked everyone for assistance getting employees to the Animal Control facility during the winter storm. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.

Ms. Metsker noted that Ms. Anderson, County Auditor had no items for action or information.

Ms. McNeil went over her month reports and indicated that there was not a lot to report in January as it is the start of a new year. She provided historical comparison on tax revenue. Ms. Metsker asked about PPRT amount. Ms. McNeil indicated last year they did a recalculation of the formula so did not have numbers to compare in 2021 under that formula. Ms. Metsker asked if had any information on the Governor freezing gas tax. Ms. McNeil indicated she had heard increase that was supposed to occur in 2022 might not. Ms. Metsker asked them to confirm we do not budget on what we hope to get, but what we have gotten in the past. Ms. Taylor confirmed they look at trends from the last 5 year when planning the budget. Ms. McNeil went over the investment report and noted rates were still very low. She then went over Blue Cross Blue Shield report and noted last year there was a credit given and we are not receiving that credit amount this year. She also discussed stop loss. Ms. McNeil then went over the Nursing Home report including revenue and expenses. She indicated they did not receive additional funding from the pandemic in 2021 compared with 2020 but the Nursing Home was able to shift some expenses to federal funding and reduce their costs. Ms. Laymon asked when the final numbers would be entered on any outstanding items. Ms. McNeil indicated they still have numerous entries county wide for 2021 to be entered and would make adjustments through the end of March. She noted records are not final until end of June. Mr. Friedrich asked her to confirm the difference in numbers on the insurance report from January 2020 and January 2021 was a credit from Blue Cross Blue Shield as part of our negotiations with them and not happening this year. Ms. McNeil confirmed and noted that our rates did not increase this year.

Motion by Laymon/Friedrich 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 a reclassification for a position in her department. Ms. Laymon asked about status on wage evaluation for all county employee positions. Ms. Taylor stated a salary study RFP had been created and Staff hoped to have something to present in March or April. She indicated the study itself could take 3-6 months to complete.

Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to recommend approval of the reclassification request. 

Motion Carried.

Ms. Michael’s presented her monthly report to the Committee. Ms. Metsker indicated they continue to see a lot of work in the Recorder of Deeds Office. Ms. Michael noted they are doing a fee study and hoped to bring information to the committee next month. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request on three items on the agenda including approve an Ordinance Transferring Monies from the County General Fund 0001 to the Children’s Advocacy Center Fund -0129, the Court Security Fund 0141, the IDPA IV-D Fund 0156, and the Tort Judgement Fund 0135 for Fiscal Year 2022; an Ordinance Transferring Monies from the Health Department Fund 0112 to the Persons with Developmental Disability Fund 0110 for Fiscal Year 2022; and a Resolution Transferring Monies from the Working Cash Fund 0002 To the F.I.C.A./Social Security Fund 0130 and IMRF Fund 0131 for Fiscal Year 2022. Ms. Taylor indicated these three funds rely on property tax and this allows us to transfer funds if needed to cover expenses until property tax installments come in at the beginning of the summer.

Motion by Barnett/Erickson to recommend approval of an Ordinance Transferring Monies from the County General Fund 0001 to the Children’s Advocacy Center Fund -0129, the Court Security Fund 0141, the IDPA IV-D Fund 0156, and the Tort Judgement Fund 0135 for Fiscal Year 2022; and an Ordinance Transferring Monies from the Health Department Fund 0112 to the Persons with Developmental Disability Fund 0110 for Fiscal Year 2022; and a Resolution Transferring Monies from the Working Cash Fund 0002 To the F.I.C.A./Social Security Fund 0130 and IMRF Fund 0131 for Fiscal Year 2022.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Auditor, Treasurer and County Clerk Offices. Ms. Taylor indicated this was clean up for the audit.

Motion by Laymon/Erickson to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Auditor, Treasurer and County Clerk Offices.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Class C Raffle Application for the VFW.

Motion by Friedrich/Barnett to recommend approval of a Class C Raffle Application for the VFW.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve Resolution Amending the Funded Full-Time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2022 for the Circuit Clerk and Circuit Court Departments. Ms. Taylor indicated this was an example of departments working together to find efficiencies in staffing. She noted this is a one-to-one change where the Circuit Court is giving up one FTE and Circuit Clerk is taking one FTE.

Motion by Erickson/Barnett to recommend approval of Resolution Amending the Funded Full-Time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2022 For the Circuit Clerk and Circuit Court Departments.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Nursing Home holiday benefit. Ms. Taylor indicated the memo outlined the appropriate handbook and line items that it affects. Mr. Barnett asked if this would affect individual’s taxes. Ms. Taylor confirmed it would not. Ms. Laymon asked about review of handbooks. Ms. Taylor stated Administration is collecting handbooks that are in use throughout the County and are in the process of comparing those to make sure they do not conflict with county policies.

Motion by Laymon/Friedrich to recommend approval of Nursing Home holiday benefit

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve Proposed Insurance Program for Policy Year 2022. Mr. Spanos handed out additional insurance materials. Mr. Spanos indicated Gallagher information was in the packet. He stated that another group put forth a proposal and went over total amount and indicated the quote does not include the Nursing Home. He noted staff had been collecting information from departments for months, but still might have some changes on the Gallagher amount regarding the cyber security coverage and the other provider had received additional information on the nursing home. He stated that to accurately compare they would need to wait and hoped to have additional information before Thursday. Mr. Barnett asked if we had been happy with service we are getting now. Mr. Spanos confirmed they had been. Ms. Laymon asked if they would have additional information to consider at a stand up if we could get more information to consider. Mr. Spanos confirmed they would. Ms. Friedrich indicated Gallagher is a broker and asked how many insurance people they put bid out to. Mr. Spanos indicated he was not sure but noted not many insurance companies do this type of work. Mr. Spanos noted provider we had last year got out of the business and that is why our amount went up. Mr. Friedrich indicated he has worked with Gallagher personally and agreed they are good to work with. Mr. Friedrich asked how much time Staff spent on this. Mr. Spanos indicated that all departments spend time on this but it has been several weeks. Mr. Friedrich state he would be ready to vote today. Mr. Erickson asked if there would be a reason they could not wait until Thursday.

Motion by Barnett/Friedrich to recommend approval of Proposed Insurance Program for Policy Year 2022.

Motion by Laymon/Erickson to postpone to date certain until Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Motion carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request under Section 108-43 F (2) (b) [3] of the McLean County Code to authorize County Administrator to offer a salary above that identified in Section 108-43 F (2) (b) [2].

Ms. Metsker asked for a motion to go into a Closed Session (if necessary) pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to go into a Closed Session (if necessary) pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

Motion carried.

Finance Committee entered closed session at 3:26 p.m.

Finance Committee returned to open session at 3:35 p.m.

Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to recommend approval of request under Section 108- 43 F (2) (b) [3] of the McLean County Code to authorize County Administrator to offer a salary above that identified in Section 108-43 F (2) (b) [2].

Motion Carried.

Ms. Taylor indicated they would be bringing a second item for stand up that would need a closed session based on approval of reclass for the County Clerk. Mr. Barnett asked Staff to confirm they just approved reclass and Clerk was still wanting to start an individual above starting step. Ms. Metsker confirmed. Mr. Erickson indicated he wanted to get all perspectives. Ms. Taylor confirmed Ms. Michael would be invited to closed session since it is in her department. Mr. Friedrich asked members to reach out and get information from Ms. Michael before closed session. Ms. Laymon asked about reclassification. Ms. Taylor indicated that reclass was to add additional job duties but request for salary above starting step for a particular individual. Ms. Metsker encouraged members to reach out to the Clerk and Administration. Mr. Friedrich asked if administration made the final decision. Ms. Taylor indicated Administration had authority to approve Impacted positions from 31 up to step 40, but board has ability to set starting rate.

Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with transfers and bills in the amount of $880,420.15 for review, and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor.

Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to approve the bills as presented.

Motion carried.

Mr. Spanos noted in the next month or two they would be bringing items to the Committee in closed session on contracts and proposed litigation.

Ms. Laymon asked if he would be sending information on insurance prior to stand up. Mr. Spanos confirmed.

Chairman Metsker asked if there was other business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, she adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

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