Peoria Standard

Peoria County Ways and Means Committee met April 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present: Allen Mayer - Chairman (via teleconference); Steven Rieker - Vice Chairman; James Fennell, Phillip Salzer, William Watkins, Jr., Sharon Williams - Committee Members 

Members Absent: Brad Harding

Others Present: Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman - Assistant

County Administrator; Larry Evans - State's Attorney's Office; Andrew Rand - County Board Chairman; Eric Dubrowski - Chief Financial Officer; Randy Brunner, Kim Hudson - Finance; Beth Derry - Regional Office of Education; Steve Sonnemaker - County Clerk; Dave Ryan - Supervisor of Assessments; Rick Salisbury - Board of Review; Elizabeth Gannon - Election Commission; Nicole Demetreas - Treasurer; Kent Rotherham - Auditor; Trisha Collins - VAC; Mark Little - Chief Information Officer; Dan O'Connell - Facilities; Chad Lucas - Sikich

Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Rieker at 1:00 p.m.

A motion to approve the participation of Mr. Mayer via teleconference was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion carried.

Approval of Minutes A motion to approve the minutes of March 28, 2017 was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Williams. The motion carried.

Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates Regional Office of Education (ROE) Ms. Derry provided an update on activities of the Regional Office of Education:

• Interviews for a new Administrator at the Peoria Regional Learning Center will be taking place today.

• The Arts in Education Spring Celebration began last week.

• The SAT was given to all high school juniors on April 5th.

• A joint press conference with the Coroner was given on a recent bullying incident. She also commented that it is the role of the ROE to ensure that every school has a current and up-to- date bullying policy that is state compliant; however, enforcement is the responsibility of the local school board.

• Partnering with entities such as Minority Youth Prevention, Peoria Public Schools, Peoria Police Department and Caterpillar in seeking grant opportunities in education.

County Auditor 

Mr. Rotherham advised that he is reviewing the bidding process; future projects include reviewing the P-Card system, controls of food costs, invoicing and compiling financial information regarding Heddington Oaks.

County Clerk 

Mr. Sonnemaker advised that with the tax levy at 82 1/2¢, an additional $308,000.00 in revenue over what is being levied for the General Fund. He stated that numbers are also based on an increase in the rate setting EAV of 3.6%.

Peoria County Election Commission 

Ms. Gannon advised that the April 4, 2017 election saw a 16.5% turnout, with several close races. She stated that a discovery recount on one such race has been scheduled for May 2, 2016, with five specific precincts within the district to be evaluated.

Mr. O'Connell advised that the owner of the Brandywine facility has made significant progress on mold abatement. He stated there is a difference of opinion between the owner and county staff on the percentage of asbestos material in the black mastic glue in the floor tile; however, staff continues to work with the owner on that matter. He commented the owner has placed additional exterior lighting on the exterior of the building, performed an exterior and interior clean-up of the premises and will be installing rooftop HVAC units. He stated that Dewberry Architects has been instructed to proceed with the design of the 6.000 square feet to be utilized by the Election Commission.

Mr. Fennell asked if ADA compliance issues were being addressed, and Mr. O'Connell advised that the City of Peoria has jurisdiction over the facility, as it lies within city limits. Mr. Rieker noted that the county continues to pay rent for the facility and questioned whether recovery is possible for the loss of ability to utilize the facility is brought up to standard. Mr. O'Connell stated that there has been discussion with the State's Attorney's Office on how to proceed with terminating the contract if the owner were to default on repairs; however, as the owner has put forth effort in renovations, the lease will continue to be paid.

Finance 

Mr. Dubrowski advised that external auditors arrived last week. He stated that staff is prioritizing time between the audit, budget and compliance matters, reporting and cost benefit analysis.

Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review

•Tax Cycle 

Mr. Ryan advised that staff is working with IT, County Clerk and the Treasurer's Office on an updated website, and noted that a property owner's name will now be public on the site.

Mr. Ryan advised that reorganization of the office is taking place due to layoffs.

•Board of Review 

Mr. Salisbury advised that after a full Board is seated, Rules for the coming year will be adopted and a new session will begin in June.

Treasurer 

Ms. Demetreas advised that tax bills are being mailed out today; tax due dates are June 6, 2017 and September 6, 2017. She stated that the first distribution will take place in late June. She advised that the new website can be found at: propertytax.peoriacounty.org. She also noted that property tax bills may now be printed online.

Veteran's Assistance Commission 

Ms. Collins advised that staff attended several events in April, including VetConnect, the Goodwill groundbreaking ceremony and a retiree event/appreciation day. She advised that the VAC has 200 active claims awaiting decisions and 80 in the appeals process. She stated that March saw $764,000.00 in VA compensation, with a current year total of $2.4 million. She advised that March saw 175 veterans and families and assisting with emergency financial assistance in the amount of $4,071.46.

Ms. Collins advised that she continues to attend Veteran's Court weekly, and stated that VAC meetings are held monthly.

Legislative Update 

Mr. Sorrel advised that April 28th is the deadline in both Chambers for a third reading on bills. He stated that nearly all the bills related to requests for direct support are now in Rules Committee in their respective chambers, with very little likelihood of those bills moving. He advised that the two bills related to requests for position support have also been referred to Rules Committee.

Mr. Sorrel summarized other legislation being tracked: HB 678 - Juvenile Court Hearings required within 24 hours - the bill is on the Calendar of 2nd Reading - the County is opposing as filed. SB 1799, a companion bill, is friendly and the County would support. The Senate bill is on its 3rd reading, and is anticipated to have a stronger chance of moving than the House bill.

Mr. Sorrel advised that there has been no movement relating to the General Assembly and Governor compromising on the State budget. He commented on the continued downgrading of the State's financial and credit ratings with bond houses, and advised that further downgrades of the credit rating will impact the ability of the County to borrow if and when needed. Mr. Mayer noted that Local Government Funds managed by the Treasurer recently received a credit upgrade to Triple A, and is one of the highest rated local government investment pools in the country.

Resolutions

•Monthly Delinquent Taxes 

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion carried, with Mr. Mayer voting aye via teleconference.

•Take Notice Fee Reduction 

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Williams. Mr. Sonnemaker advised that a $20.00 fee for filing and processing of a Take Notice was initially set via a Fee Study based upon the Code of Peoria County. He advised that it has subsequently been determined that the Take Notice amount is set in the Tax Code as opposed to the County Code. He advised that based upon the recommendation of the State's Attorney's Office, the Take Notice fee revert to $10.00 plus postage costs. The motion carried, with Mr. Mayer voting aye via teleconference.

A motion to go into executive session for the purpose of reviewing Audits was made by Mr. Watkins and seconded by Mr. Salzer. The motion carried.

Executive Session

Regular session was resumed upon a motion by Mr. Salzer and second by Mr. Fennell.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Vice-Chairman Rieker at 2:10 p.m.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/download?path=%2Fcountyboard%2FCommittee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2017%2FApril%2F25+-+Ways+and+Means%2F170425Minutes.pdf