McLean County Finance Committee met Nov. 2.
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 and Val Laymon
Members Absent: Members William Friedrich and Ryan Lawler Other Members Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Chris 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: Rebecca McNeil, Treasurer; Marshell Thomson, Animal Control; Tim Jorczak, Supervisor of Assessments
Others Present: None
Chairman Metsker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Metsker presented the October 5, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Finance Committee for approval.
Motion by Barnett/Laymon to approve the October 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.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Marshell Thomson, Animal Control a request to approve a contract with Changing Seasons Lawn and Landscaping, Inc. Ms. Thomson indicated this was the same company as last year. She noted they did a great job making sure there was access to the facility during inclement weather.
Motion by Thompson/Erickson to recommend approval of a contract with Changing Seasons Lawn and Landscaping, Inc.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Thomson presented her monthly reports to the Committee and noted things were going well at the facility. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any further questions or comments; hearing none, she thanked her.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Mr. Jorczak a request to approve a Contract for Professional Appraisal Services. Mr. Jorczak indicated this is a specialized field so there are not many companies who provide the services needed, so this is a contract with a company out of Texas for data collection regarding improvements at the automotive plant. He noted they are working with several stake holders and this is part of the plan to make sure they receive the best information regarding improvements that are to be completed in the next 24-36 months at the plant.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to recommend approval of a Contract for Professional Appraisal Services.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker indicated the last tax meeting was recorded and encouraged everyone to go out and watch the video as it provides very good information on the tax assessment and collecting process. Mr. Jorczak noted the last set of notices went out in the last couple of weeks.
Chairman Metsker indicated Michelle Anderson, County Auditor had nothing on the agenda and moved to the next item.
Chairman Metsker presented on behalf of Ms. Becky McNeil, County Treasurer a request to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports. Ms. McNeil went over Tax Revenue amounts and budget. She noted property tax revenue and distributed amounts and noted the tax sale is scheduled for this Friday, November 4th. Ms. McNeil then went over the Investment Report and noted the Feds made another adjustment today. Ms. Metsker asked about spending limitations on the additional funds gained through investment of the ARPA funds. Ms. McNeil indicated revenue would go to the General Fund. Mr. Thompson asked about federal guidelines on ARPA fund interest. Ms. McNeil indicated according to Federal guidelines the interest on those funds are the County’s funds. Ms. McNeil noted these investments are short-term based on spending timeline. Mr. Thompson asked about the deadline to spend ARPA funds. Ms. Taylor indicated the funds have to be obligated by end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.
Ms. McNeil then went over the employee benefit fund including activity regarding claims. She then went over the Nursing Home report including expenses, revenue and account receivable numbers. She noted Nursing Home staff has been working to verifying numbers that may need to be written off. Ms. McNeil indicated she was a little concerned about the cash amount but felt it would be ok if work continued to improve revenue amounts.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to accept and place on file the County Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Reports.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Metsker thanked her for attending the tax meetings. Ms. McNeil indicated Mr. Jorczak did a great job explaining to the community the process and appreciated all of the work he and his staff did and continue to do.
Ms. Metsker indicated Ms. Kathy Michael, County Clerk was not present but her monthly reports to the Committee were in the packet. Chairman Metsker asked if there were any questions to please reach out to Ms. Michael.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation Plan. Ms. Taylor noted this is required each year as part of the budget for all employees who are not part of a union. Ms. Taylor indicated this plan included new definitions and categories based on the salary study. Ms. Metsker noted the definitions and chart on pages 36-38 of the packet were helpful. Ms. Metsker asked Ms. Taylor to explain why Administrative Office of the Courts (AOIC) was identified in the plan. Ms. Taylor noted AOIC is the administrative branch that sets salaries for some employees in the Court Services department and Juvenile Detention Center as their salaries are reimbursed by the State. Ms. Metsker noted information on page 40 of the packet regarding how new hire salaries are established as well as information on page 41 of the packet regarding review of salaries by the oversight committees. Ms. Metsker further noted pay grade chart on page 43 of the packet and stated she felt it would be easier for employees to understand.
Mr. Erickson asked Ms. Taylor to confirm this plan does not apply to union employees. Ms. Taylor confirmed. Mr. Erickson asked if this applied to Circuit Clerk employees. Ms. Taylor confirmed. Mr. Erickson noted the Board had allowed Mr. Everhart’s staff to receive the salary adjustments early to assist with hiring staff. He asked if Mr. Everhart had been able to hire staff as a result of that action. Ms. Taylor noted she felt it was too early for him to be fully staffed; however, there had been an increase in the applicant pool, some employees have returned and some employees have postponed retirement due to the salary increase. Mr. Erickson asked what the process would be if Mr. Everhart needed an additional increase. Ms. Taylor noted she would come back to the Board to discuss any further adjustment outside the recommended Budget. Ms. Metsker noted the salary study included the Circuit Clerk office and asked Ms. Taylor if she felt confident the changes made would be beneficial to Mr. Everhart and filling positions. Ms. Taylor indicated she felt the changes would be beneficial.
Motion by Laymon/Thompson to recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation Plan.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for I.M.R.F. Fund 0131. Ms. Taylor indicated IMRF benefits budget is based on the FTEs included in the 2023 budget. Ms. Metsker asked about the reimbursement for Ford County. Ms. Taylor indicated amount is zero this year, but last year the Chief Judge asked that a McLean County employee assist Ford County while they were searching to fill their Court Services Director position. She noted that our employee assisted and Ford County reimbursed us for those services. Ms. Metsker asked her to confirm Ford County did not need our services this year. Ms. Taylor confirmed Ford County is fully staffed.
Motion by Barnett/Laymon to recommend approval of Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for I.M.R.F. Fund 0131.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget Social Security Expense Fund 0130. Ms. Taylor noted this budget line pays for social security benefits for FTE’s included in the 2023 budget.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for Social Security Expense Fund 0130.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Class C Raffle License application for the VFW.
Motion by Laymon/Barnett to recommend approval of a Class C Raffle License Application.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for the General Fund 0001, Assessment Office Department 0049, Property Assess/Review/Supervise Program 0054. Ms. Metsker asked Ms. Taylor to confirm this increase corresponded to the agreement approved by the Committee for Mr. Jorczak. Ms. Taylor confirmed.
Motion by Thompson/Laymon to recommend approval of Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for the General Fund 0001, Assessment Office Department 0049, Property Assess/Review/Supervise Program 0054.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Master Service Agreement, Statement of Work – Audit Services and Statement of Work – Direct Examination Services with outside Auditor. Ms. Taylor indicated this agreement was for work done by the outside auditor each year. Ms. Taylor noted Staff spoke with Auditor and Treasurer to get their input and they both felt work completed by Clifton Larson Allen including extra ARPA funding matters was done well. Mr. Erickson asked about rotation of outside auditor. Ms. Taylor noted time restrictions were added in the current contract. Ms. Dreyer noted this was the third continuation. Ms. Taylor indicated they would review records to see if an RFP should be issued next year. Mr. Thompson asked about pool for audit services. Ms. Taylor indicated there are several firms who submitted responses when the last RFP was issued. Ms. Laymon noted a couple of scrivener errors.
Motion by Erickson/Thompson to recommend approval of a Master Service Agreement, Statement of Work – Audit Services and Statement of Work – Direct Examination Services with outside Auditor.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Metsker presented the Finance Committee with bills in the amount of $1,838,325.08 for review, and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor.
Motion by Laymon/Erickson to approve the bills as presented.
Motion carried.
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 Thompson/Barnett 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.
Finance Committee entered into closed session at 5:17 p.m.
Motion by Thompson/Barnett to return to open session. Motion Carried. Finance Committee returned to open session at 6:03 p.m.
Chairman Metsker asked if there was other business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, she adjourned the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9277
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