McLean County Finance Committee met Sept. 7.
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, William Friedrich, Val Laymon and Ryan Lawler.
Members Absent: None
Other Members Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Christopher Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division; Taylor Williams, Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Michelle Anderson, McLean County Auditor; Rebecca McNeil, Treasurer; Marshell Thomson, Animal Control; Tim Daugherty, Facilities Management; Tim Wiley, Nursing Home Director
Others Present: None
Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Metsker presented the August 3, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to approve the August 3, 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 County employees.
Michelle Anderson, County Auditor provided information on the Commissary Audit. Ms. Anderson indicated second year she had completed this as the Illinois Department of Correction no longer did them. Ms. Anderson indicated the audit was a clean audit as no staff benefited from the account, fair prices were charged, and all benefits given were entitled tuses of the commissary. Ms. Laymon asked if there was a more detailed report on what was purchased. Ms. Anderson indicated there was not a compiled detailed report but she was provided statements to help her gather the information. Mr. Barnett asked about the cash balance on fund. Ms. Taylor indicated typical to see a special fund with that amount and noted that special funds are typically restricted as to expenses allowed. Mr. Barnett asked how they set fees charged for items in commissary. Ms. Anderson indicated a third party sets the prices, but noted she had to do comparisons for audit and prices were lower than prices charged at Walmart and Target. Mr. Friedrich asked how this audit compares to other audits. Ms. Anderson indicated the Department of Correction sets the standards. Mr. Friedrich asked her to confirm audit went smooth, no flagged items and staff were cooperative. Ms. Anderson confirmed. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any additional questions; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker noted Ms. Kathy Michael, County Clerk was not present but her monthly reports were in the packet. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions to please reach out to the County Clerk.
Ms. Marshell Thomson, Animal Control Director presented her monthly reports and an update on events at the department. Ms. Thomson also indicated this year had a dramatic increase in bat incidents. Ms. Laymon asked about number for euthanizing animals. Ms. Thomson went over reasons animals are euthanized including police incidents and illnesses not because they do not have the space. Discussion about need for fostering of animals. Mr. Erickson asked how euthanized – Ms. Thomson went over process. Discussion about other needs at the facility and programs that could be put into place in the community. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any further questions; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker noted that Mr. Timothy Jorczak, Supervisor of Assessments had nothing for the committee this month. She thanked him for the meetings hehad organized in the community to explain EAV and how taxes are figured.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Ms. Becky McNeil, County Treasurer a request to approve Resolutions authorizing the County Board Chair to Surrender Tax Sale Certificates of Purchase. Ms. McNeil went over documents presented regarding two mobile home parcels and one real estate parcel.
Motion by Barnett/Laymon to recommend approval of Resolutions authorizing the County Board Chair to Surrender Tax Sale Certificates of Purchase.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Ms. Becky McNeil, County Treasurer a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2022 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the County Treasurer.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2022 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the County Treasurer
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Ms. Becky McNeil, County Treasurer a request to accept and place on file the County’s Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports. Ms. McNeil went over revenue report. Ms. Metsker asked about income tax we are no longer collecting on some items, such as taxes on food. Ms. McNeil noted the State indicated they would be replacing that with other funds. Ms. McNeil then went over shared sales tax numbers and property tax numbers and distribution as well as Motor Fuel Tax that continues to provide significant revenue.
She went over investment report noting rates are increasing and some are over 3%. She indicated short term treasury rates are at an all-time high. Mr. Thompson noted there is a negative side to the higher rates. Mr. Friedrich asked about negative amount under Commerce Bank. Ms. McNeil indicated that can show up depending on when she prints the report as it is payroll clearing account but assured them the roll over to cover is completed about the same time.
Ms. McNeil went over the BCBS plan and indicated it is doing well. Ms. McNeil went over Nursing Home report including monthly revenue and expenses. Mr. Friedrich indicated fund was down a couple of years ago and asked about turn-around. Ms. McNeil noted the Nursing Home Fund is stable at this time. She indicated private pay had increased and nursing home staff continues to work on AR balance. She indicated they are watching cash balance right now as it continues to be very low. Ms. Taylor indicated Mr. Wiley has worked to increase private pay as well as find ways to address the AR balance. Ms. McNeil agreed further noting Mr. Wiley keeps communication lines open and has been working to minimize expenses as well as revenues. Ms. Metsker indicated the Health Committee analyzes this and noted there had been an increase in physical therapy and hospice that have assisted with revenue. Mr. Thompson asked about progress. Ms. McNeil indicated staff not only has to work on current accounts but past accounts and having outside assistance would help. Ms. Taylor noted the Health Committee just approved an outside firm to assist with AR accounts.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Metsker thanked her for time spent at meetings held throughout the county regarding taxes. Ms. McNeil indicated they spend time with constituents to help them understand where taxes go and how to get any tax breaks they may be entitled to.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a position reclassification request moving a Building Maintenance Worker position to a Building Mechanic II position in Facilities Maintenance. Ms. Taylor indicated request was brought forward by Mr. Daugherty to reclass to skill set they need. She indicated Staff would be presenting a Capital Improvement Plan that involved several projects where this skill set would be needed. Ms. Metsker asked if team notes these changes in relation to the salary study. Ms. Taylor indicated they take into consideration the salary study when these requests are presented to them and requestions are in line with the study that will be brought forward with the 2023 budget.
Motion by Laymon/Friedrich to recommend approval of a position reclassification request Building Maintenance Worker to building Mechanic II position – Facilities Maintenance.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve adding positions to the Impacted Position List. Ms. Taylor noted positions included in the request and indicated the salaries would be in line with the salary study. Ms. Metsker noted she appreciated department heads doing things to retain employees and asked if this request would also be in line with the salary study. Ms. Taylor confirmed.
Motion by Thompson/Erickson to recommend approval of add positions to the Impacted Position List.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve administrative salary adjustments in the office of the Circuit Clerk. Ms. Taylor stated there seems to be a revolving door with some positions and this is affecting court operations. She noted these would be budget neutral within his 2022 budget because Mr. Everhart has had several positions open for several months. Mr. Friedrich asked if the new computer system upgrade would assist with needs. Ms. Taylor indicated the computer project was a large-scale project that would take several years to implement. She stated it will help eventually but not for the short term. Ms. Laymon asked about adjustments and regular salary studies in the future. Ms. Metsker noted larger firms do these annually but they have staff to assist with those and we do not have staff for annual market reviews. Ms. Metsker noted in the past public monies were set for other projects such as building the jail.
Ms. Taylor stated the departments who have brought requests to the Committee are ones that have extreme needs and lack of staffing is affecting operations not only in their departments but other departments. She stated study results will go into effect January 2023 that will show appreciation to County staff, but these requests address current critical needs in departments. Mr. Barnett asked about policy that might be put in place that would set automatic cost of living increases. Ms. Taylor stated they could change policy but that would cost money that might not regularly be there. Mr. Thompson noted past economic situations were not what they are now and past Administrations have dealt with economic challenges the best they could during those times. Mr. Erickson noted there are a lot of priorities that have to be balanced out.
Motion by Friedrich/Laymon to recommend approval of administrative salary adjustments in the office of the Circuit Clerk.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor indicated she had nothing further for the Committee. Chairman Metsker asked if anyone had any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker asked for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 102/2(c)(11): Pending Litigation. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
Motion by Barnett/Thompson to go into Closed Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 102/2(c)(11): Pending Litigation. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
Motion Carried.
The Finance Committee entered into closed session at 5:51 p.m.
Motion made by Thompson/Friedrich to returned to open session.
The Finance Committee returned to open session at 6:44 p.m.
Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with bills in the amount of $1,125,796.30 for review, and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor. She noted there were no transfers to come before the Committee.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9206
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