Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met Oct. 13.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL BY THE COUNTY CLERK

Attendance was taken with the Roll Call-Pro voting system, and the following members of the Board were present: Members Blair, Bryant, Daley, Dillon, Duncan, Elsasser, Fennell, Groves Allison, Rand, Reliford, Reneau, Rieker (Via teleconference), Rosenbohm, Salzer, Watkins, Williams, and Windish, with Member Pastucha absent.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

∙ Approval of September 8, 2022 County Board Meeting Minutes

Member Watkins moved for approval of the minutes and Member Daley seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

∙ A Proclamation recognizing Peoria City/County Citizens Leadership Academy graduates

Scott Sorrel, County Administrator, introduced Andre Allen as the County’s first Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer.

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

Karrie Alms addressed the Board. Ms. Alms contended that the Auditor referendum placed on the March 2018 primary election ballot was not eligible to be placed on that ballot as defined by the Illinois Constitution. She brought up the most recent Auditor referendum that will appear on the November 2022 general election ballot. She reported that the County Clerk filed a referendum with the Election Commission on the deadline but filed another referendum four days later. She believed the Open Meetings Act was violated. She reported that, per a FOIA request, the County Administrator instructed a staff member to replace the agenda briefing from committee with a new version, and no revision markings were noted. She stressed the importance of the Open Meetings Act in communicating information to the public.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

C1. The Treasurer report consisting of the Bank and CD's Portfolio for the month of August 2022 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of July 2022.

C2. The Auditor's report of expenditures from Accounts Payable system is accessible at www.peoriacounty.org/auditor/transparency.

C3. A resolution (items 1-2, 4 reconveyances, item 3 surrender; items 5-9, 11-65 conveyances) from the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the County Board Chairman be authorized and directed to execute deeds of said property to the highest bidder and be authorized to cancel the appropriate Certificates of Purchase. This resolution shall be effective ninety days from October 13, 2022 and any transaction between the parties involved not occurring within this period shall be null and void.

C4.vvvvv A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of an appropriation in the amount of $15,000.00 into the FY 2022 Drug Forfeiture Fund – Sheriff from unappropriated fund balance for purchase of an additional K-9 unit and related training.

C5. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Midwest Engineering Associates, Inc., Peoria, IL, in the amount of $388,500.00, for professional engineering services for multiple Peoria County facilities projects.

C6. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval to commit local funding to match any Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Funds received for the resurfacing of Cameron Lane between Illinois 116 and Smithville Road.

C7. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval to commit local funding to match any Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Funds received for the resurfacing of Koerner Road from Charter Oak Road to Illinois Route 8.

C8. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Supplemental Agreement with Midwest Engineering Associates, Inc., Peoria, IL, to add two sub-consultants to provide Phase II Preliminary Engineering for the reconstruction of Old Galena Road.

C9. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Joint Funding Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to utilize Federal Funding for the replacement of a culvert on Graham Chapel Road.

C10. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of annual appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds in the amount of $3,000,000.00 for County Highway maintenance activities in accordance with Illinois Department of Transportation regulations for calendar year 2023.

C11. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Hanson Professional Services, Peoria, IL, for Phase I & II Preliminary Engineering for the design of bridge Structure Number 072-3127 on Duncan Road.

C12. Chairman Appointments.

Member Blair moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Reliford seconded. The Consent Agenda was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

V. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of a Proclamation extending the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in Peoria County, Illinois.

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Reneau seconded. Member Elsasser clarified that ARPA funds would not be affected by whether the resolution passed. He mentioned he spoke with neighboring counties, and they have not passed this resolution for a while. He questioned how much longer this would be in effect. Chairman Rand reported that this resolution concerns the nature of the ongoing disaster and refers to federal disaster funds, not ARPA funds. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 4 nays, with Members Elsasser, Reliford, Rosenbohm, and Windish voting nay.

2. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending adoption of Peoria County’s Employee Health Plan Premium increase and subsidy for employees and eligible retirees on the Standard PPO $2,000 Plan, the Qualified High Deductible Plan, and the IMRF Medicare Eligible Retiree Plan, effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Duncan seconded. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of the FY 2023 Authorized Staffing Count for Administrative Departments.

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Blair seconded. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

4. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Local Agency Agreement for participation in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2023 County Engineer’s Salary Program.

Member Dillon moved to approve the resolution and Member Blair seconded. Member Salzer explained that the purpose of the resolution is for the State to pay 50% of the County Engineer’s salary. He detailed that the County Engineer will be evaluated in five categories. He stated that Peoria County is ranked tenth out of the 99 counties participating in this program. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

5. A joint resolution from your Finance, Audit, and Legislative Affairs Committee and your Executive Committee recommending approval of revisions to the County Board’s financial policies.

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Rosenbohm seconded. Mr. Sorrel summarized the two recommended amendments to the financial policies. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

6. A joint resolution from your Finance, Audit, and Legislative Affairs Committee and your Executive Committee recommending approval of the Annual Authorization for Year End Transfers.

Member Elsasser moved to approve the resolution and Member Blair seconded. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

7. A joint resolution from your Finance, Audit, and Legislative Affairs Committee and your Executive Committee recommending approval to abate the tax levy for the principal and interest payments due in FY 2023 for:

a. The General Obligation Bonds (alternate revenue source) Series 2020B (previously 2010F) b. The General Obligation Bonds (alternate revenue source) Series 2022 (previously 2011)

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Daley seconded. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

8. Adoption of the Annual Tax Levy – All Funds. (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Fennell moved to approve the ordinance and Member Williams seconded. Mr. Sorrel detailed the recommended levy. He reported that the tax rate remains flat at 82.41¢ per $100 of equalized assessed value. He reported an estimated 4% property value growth across the county. He summarized the amounts levied to multiple funds. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

9. Adoption of the Peoria County Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Fennell moved to approve the ordinance and Member Salzer seconded. Mr. Sorrel presented a slideshow detailing the proposed budget. He summarized notable changes to the property tax rate, including a decrease in the amount levied to the IMRF fund. He reported that the general fund reserve is above the required amount of 24% and will continue to be above that threshold until FY2032, absent intervention from future County Boards.

Member Dillon commended Mr. Sorrel and his team for their work. He questioned why the levy for IMRF decreased, and the levy for FICA increased. He believed that there should be a correlation between the two. Mr. Sorrel explained that the IMRF amount decreased because of a smaller workforce and market performance. He stated that the FICA amount increased to meet seasonal cash flow needs.

Member Elsasser questioned what percentage the County levies from property taxes. Mr. Sorrel reported that property taxes represent approximately 19.5% to 20% of the County’s overall revenue and about 14% of the general fund’s revenue. Mr. Elsasser asked what percentage the average taxpayer pays to the County specifically. Mr. Sorrel noted that the County receives approximately 9% to 12% of the tax bill. Mr. Elsasser questioned whether the increase in equalized assessed value is over a 3 or 4-year rolling average. Mr. Sorrel believed it was over a 4-year rolling average. Mr. Elsasser commented that he would continue to argue in favor of using ARPA money for certain expenditures so the general fund won’t be depleted.

Member Fennell thanked everyone involved for their work. He commented that the process went smoothly. Chairman Rand thanked all committee chairpersons for completing the job a month before schedule. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Elsasser questioned whether the Auditor referendum was acceptable to appear on the ballot. Jennie Cordis Boswell, Assistant State’s Attorney, confirmed the Board adopted the resolution to put the referendum on the ballot, and all deadlines were met. She explained that the Election Commission processed the filing, and the referendum was properly on the ballot.

Member Blair announced the launch of startabusinessgp.org. She explained that the website would be a resource for entrepreneurs starting a business. She noted grants would be available for Peoria County entrepreneurs who might need financial assistance starting their businesses. She stated the press event would occur on October 19th at 9:30 am.

Member Groves Allison asked for a presentation or report on the Justine Peterson funds. Mr. Sorrel said he could schedule one for a future Executive Committee meeting.

Member Dillon announced a meeting on October 24th at 4:00 pm to discuss temporary rules to pass to the new Board. He asked members to give recommendations on anything they would like to amend.

Member Duncan wished Monica Hendrickson a happy birthday.

Member Daley asked members to suggest alterations to the proposed ethics ordinances so they can be voted on in November.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, the Chairman announced the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10132022-1293