Peoria Standard

The Peoria County Board met Aug. 18.

Here are the minutes of the meeting as provided by Peoria County:

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: Baietto, Dillon, Elsasser, Fennell, Harding, Mayer, Morris, O'Neill, Pearson, Phelan, Rand, Trumpe, Watkins and Williams, with Ardapple, Parker, Rosenbohm, and Salzer absent.

I. CITIZENS’ REMARKS

There were no citizens’ remarks.

State’s Attorney, Jerry Brady announced that Steve Giebelhausen would be leaving the office. He said that it is bittersweet because after Bill Atkins left, he has really stepped up and he will leave a void in the State’s Attorney’s office. He thanked him for his dedication and hard work. He noted that he will be moving to Fort Madison, Iowa, and working at a law firm.

Mr. Giebelhausen thanked Mr. Brady for his kind words. He expressed that he would miss working with the board, elected officials and staff and wished everyone the best.

II. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval to place a Referendum Question on the November 8, 2016, General Election ballot to create a Special County Retailers' Occupation Tax for Transportation.

Dillon moved to approve the resolution and O’Neill seconded.

Elsasser explained that if consideration is made to raise taxes, the MFT is the best way because it is paid by those traveling through and does not infringe on the businesses and the sales tax rate, but the authority is not there for the Board. He said that this is not his first method to raise tax for the roads, but the Board should let the voters decide.

Dillon thanked staff for their work and Chairman Rand for his vision and leadership to drive the conversation. He noted that it has been in discussion since last November with public meetings, and it has brought the Board to the point to put the question on the ballot.

Fennell stated that it is needed for the community to subsidize the road projects, and he will be out supporting it.

Chairman Rand highlighted that Mr. Sorrel has done a yeoman’s job in analyzing the problem. He noted that he wishes there was a larger sum to fix the $215 million problem. He recognized that it is a compromise for the Board. He said he intends to support the resolution.

The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay with Harding voting nay.

2. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval to place an Advisory Referendum Question on the November 8, 2016, General Election ballot to increase property taxes by up to 0.5¢ for providing assistance to military veterans, their families and the families of deceased veterans, and up to 1.0¢ for services delivered to its residents who are persons with developmental disabilities.

Mayer moved to approve the resolution and Baietto seconded.

Mayer explained that there has been plenty of discussion about the resolution and it is an advisory referendum. He identified that in discussion with his constituents, this is one of the most important items. He said that when the Board asks for more money in taxes, the voters want specifically designed things and they prefer to be consulted. He urged an aye vote.

The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 2 nays with Elsasser and Morris voting nay.

III. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairman Rand recognized the Board for everyone’s effort and thanked them for coming to an extra meeting. He acknowledged Peoria Public Schools District 150 Board Member Dan Adler in the audience, and mentioned the need to have a conversation about the referenda on the ballot with the district. He said having a dialogue with the public school district is something he is absolutely for.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

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