McLean County Times

McLean County Finance Committee met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Finance Committee of the McLean County Board met on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.

Members Present: Chair Val Laymon, Members Natalie Roseman-Mendoza, Corey Beirne, Mark Clauss, Buck Farley, Brian Loeffler

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; Don Rood, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie A. Morlock, Recording Secretary

Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Aileen Pagán Vega, Children’s Advocacy Center; Sheriff Matt Lane, Sheriff’s Department; Jerry Stokes, Highway Department

Others Present: Dan Leary, Information Technology.

Chair Laymon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and declared a quorum.

Chair Laymon presented the consent agenda including the minutes from the December 4, 2024 regular meeting, November 14, 2024 special meeting and invoices in the amount of $967,017.94.

Motion by Mendoza/Beirne to approve the minutes from the December 4, 2024 regular meeting, November 14, 2024 special meeting and invoices in the amount $967,017.94.

Motion carried.

Chair Laymon confirmed with Administrator Cassy Taylor there were no requests to speak.

Chair Laymon noted that Mr. Timothy Jorczak, Chief County Assessment Officer was not present but had a report in the packet. Chair Laymon asked if there were any questions or comments, hearing none, she moved on to the next item on the agenda.

Chair Laymon pulled the Treasurer report action item from the agenda as the Treasurer was unable to attend the meeting and there was no report to consider.

Chair Laymon noted that Marshell Thompson, Director of Animal Control was not present but her report was in the packet. Chair Laymon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she moved to the next item on the agenda.

Chair Laymon noted Michelle Anderson was not present and had no items for the Committee so she moved to the next item on the agenda.

Chair Laymon noted that Kathy Michael, County Clerk was not present but her regular reports for the County Clerk’s office were in the packet. Chair Laymon asked if there were any questions; hearing none she moved to the next item on the agenda.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator a request to approve a Class C Raffle Application from the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington/Normal.

Motion by Roseman-Mendoza/Clauss to recommend approval of a Class C Raffle Application from the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington/Normal.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Class C Raffle Application for the VFW Post 454. Ms. Taylor noted the application approved last month was an extension of the 2024 application as they did not have a winner for the roll over raffle. She indicated this application was for the next raffle in 2025 that would start in February of 2025.

Motion by Farley/Loeffler to recommend approval of a Class C Raffle Application for the VFW Post 454.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Reclassification in the Children’s Advocacy Center Department. Ms. Taylor noted that Ms. Pagán Vega is present if there were any questions, but noted changes to priorities and responsibilities for the position supported a reclassification of this position.

Motion by Roseman-Mendoza/Farley to recommend approval of a Reclassification in the Children’s Advocacy Center department.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Resolution Amending the Funded Full-time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2025 for Fund 0129, Children’s Advocacy Center Department. Ms. Taylor noted this request was a result of the expansion of the CASA program into Logan County. Mr. Beirne and Ms. Laymon both noted their support of the effort to expand services.

Motion by Beirne/Roseman-Mendoza to recommend approval of a Resolution Amending the Funded Full-time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2025 for Fund 0129, Children’s Advocacy Center Department.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Resolution Amending the Funded Full-time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2025 for Fund 0001, Information Technologies Department. Ms. Taylor noted the work was originally planned as contract work but IT felt it would be better to have a part-time position. Ms. Taylor noted this change was budget neutral.

Motion by Clauss/Loeffler to recommend approval of a Resolution Amending the Funded Full-time Equivalent Positions Resolution for 2025 for Fund 0001, Information Technologies Department.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Reclassification in the Highway Department. Ms. Taylor noted the Highway department is having difficulty filling civil engineer positions and hoped this reclassification would help in the recruiting process. Mr. Stokes noted there is a large need for civil engineers as there are fewer going through the civil engineering programs. He indicated he felt this change would allow them to be more competitive in the current market. Mr. Clauss asked if they offer hiring bonuses or other incentives. Mr. Stokes indicated they do not offer hiring bonuses, but if the civil engineer lives in the County they would have use of a County vehicle.

Motion by Loeffler/Roseman-Mendoza to recommend approval of a Reclassification in the Highway Department.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the McLean County Board, McLean County Sheriff and Illinois Fraternal Order of Police representing correctional officers, correctional sergeants and control operators. Ms. Taylor noted they offered this incentive last year when they were having difficulty filing open positions. She indicated there was a favorable response so they were looking to continue this incentive. Mr. Lane agreed the incentive program helped with recruitment efforts for correction officers. Ms. Laymon asked how this is communicated. Mr. Lane noted they get word out through union representatives and tell potential applicants about it if they call with questions or show interest in the position.

Motion by Farley/Loeffler to recommend approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the McLean County Board, McLean County Sheriff and Illinois Fraternal Order of Police representing correctional officers, correctional sergeants and control operators.

Motion Carried.

Chair Laymon presented for action on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve a contract between Illinois FOP Labor Council and County of McLean/McLean County Sheriff of Deputies, Sergeants, Investigators and Lead Process Servers. Chair Laymon indicated information had been distributed to the members prior to the meeting. She noted that if members had any questions, they would need to go into closed session. She asked if any member had a need to go into closed session; hearing no request she called the question.

Motion by Farley/Loeffler to recommend approval of a contract between Illinois FOP Labor Council and County of McLean/McLean County Sheriff of Deputies, Sergeants, Investigators and Lead Process Servers.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Taylor indicated she did not have anything further for the Committee.

Chair Laymon asked if there was any other business; hearing none, she noted the next meeting would be Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. and adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10759