McLean County Finance Committee met June 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 400 of the Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.
Members Present: Chairman Catherine Metsker, Members Gerald Thompson, Chuck Erickson, Josh Barnett, Val Laymon and Matt Coates.
Members Absent: Member William Friedrich
Other Members Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Ashley Scarborough, Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division, Taylor Williams, Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Rebecca McNeil County Treasurer; Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center, Timothy Jorczak, Supervisor of Assessments, Michelle Anderson, County Auditor
Others Present: Connie Clifford, Assessors Office; Hope Wheeler, Clifton, Larson & Allen
Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Metsker presented the May 4, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Laymon/Thompson to approve the May 4, 2022, regular 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. Kathy Michael, County Clerk presented her monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she moved to the next item.
Ms. Marshell Thomson, Animal Control Director was not present, but her monthly reports were provided in the packet. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker presented for action on behalf of Mr. Timothy Jorczak, Supervisor of Assessments a request to approve an Ordinance of the McLean County Board to Opt-Out of Preferential Assessment for Affordable Rental Housing Construction and Rehabilitation Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-178. Mr. Jorczak went over back ground of this resolution that designed around how Cook County currently handles property tax assessments in this area. He noted that all counties but Cook can opt out. He stated based on the amount of additional information his staff would have to collect to implement the program and the fact there are no current properties or applications in the County that would meet the requirements, he felt the County should opt out of the program. He noted they could reinstate this at a later date. Ms. Laymon noted the mass housing need in McLean County but asked him to confirm there is currently no need for this type of project. She also asked that a tickler be put in place so the Board could consider this again in the future. Mr. Jorczak noted no planned projects had been brought to his office and he stated he would be happy to revisit next year. Ms. Metsker asked how the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal were affected by this. Mr. Jorczak explained that the City and the Town or any township would reach out to the Assessors’ office if a project was coming on line. Ms. Metsker asked if they could revisit this should the Town or City or another municipality bring a proposed project forward. Ms. Taylor suggested Administration could have a semi-annual review with Mr. Jorczak.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of an Ordinance of the McLean County Board to Opt-Out of Preferential Assessment for Affordable Rental Housing Construction and Rehabilitation Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-178. Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented for action on behalf of Ms. Michelle Anderson, County Auditor the acceptance and placement on file of the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) – December 31, 2021. Ms. Anderson indicated this is not an audited document but that she gets her information from audited information. Ms. Anderson went over information provided in the PAFR including revenue sources, county expenses, Nursing Home revenue and expenses and EAV growth.
Motion by Barnett/Laymon to accept and place on file the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) as of December 31, 2021.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2021, for acceptance and placement on file. Ms. Anderson noted that the single audit report would be presented in July as they were still working on it as there were changes in reporting on COVID and other Federal funding. Hope Wheeler, Clifton Larson and Allen presented the highlights from the Audit and indicated they provided a clean unmodified opinion. She went over management letter and went over items that the noted. She stressed that these were just recommendations of areas to work on and not something that affected the opinion they provided. Ms. Taylor noted Administration would reach out to each department regarding areas they could improve. Ms. Metsker asked that items be put in goals for each department head for the next year.
Ms. Anderson went over changes in 2021 CAFR from the 2020 CAFR including, moving Township Motor Fuel Tax and Township Bridge Program from Special Revenue to custodial and the merging of ARPA Fund into the General Fund. She noted operating loss for the Nursing home, the General Fund balance and balances in the special revenue funds including the Highway Fund and Health Funds. Ms. Metsker thanked her, the outside auditor, Administration staff and the Treasurer for their hard work on the audit.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to accept and place on file the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2021. Motion Carried.
Ms. Rebecca McNeil, Treasurer presented for action a request to approve Real Estate Deed of Conveyance Resolutions for Real Estate Parcel 21-05-433-015 and Real Estate Parcel 18- 05-276-001. She noted goal of program is to help people keep their property and these are examples of working toward that goal.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of Real Estate Deed of Conveyance Resolutions for Real Estate Parcel 21-05-433-015 and Real Estate Parcel 18-05-276-001.
Motion Carried.
Ms. McNeil presented for acceptance and placement on file her monthly reports. She went over reports including PPRT, sales tax, motor fuel tax. She also went over the Investment report and Nursing Home report. Ms. McNeil indicated that she would provide information on abatement amounts and how they affect the County next month. She noted that Rivian’s abatement this year was significant.
Motion by Erickson/Laymon to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve an Abatement Ordinance abating the 2021 taxes on property purchased by Rivian. Ms. Metsker indicated information had been provided in the packet on the current request. Mr. Erickson asked if Board members or members of the public could review the information provided to the EDC. Ms. Taylor noted any Board member could go and review but stated she would have to double check if anyone from the public could go and review. Mr. Erickson stated that while the amount was large, it meant the company was investing in the area and meeting the benchmarks. Mr. Erickson stated when the Board initially passed this agreement, members were adamant that benchmarks be met to receive abatements. Mr. Erickson noted that abatement requests have been denied when companies did not meet benchmarks.
Motion by Barnett/Laymon to recommend approval of an Abatement Ordinance abating 2021 taxes on property purchased by Rivian.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor presented for action a request to approve an Abatement Ordinance abating the 2021 taxes on property purchased by Brandt. Ms. Metsker noted this is smaller but still important. Ms. Taylor noted the EDC provided an independent review to make sure Brandt had met the required benchmarks.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to recommend approval of an Abatement Ordinance abating 2021 taxes on property purchased by Brandt.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with bills in the amount of $1,895,601.29 for review, and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor. She noted there were no transfers to come before the Committee.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to approve the bills as presented.
Motion carried.
Chairman Metsker asked if there was other business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, she adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8790
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