Peoria Standard

Peoria County Ways and Means Committee met November 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present: Allen Mayer - Chairman; James Fennell, Brad Harding, Phillip Salzer, William Watkins, Jr., Sharon Williams - Committee Members

Members Absent: Steven Rieker

Others Present: Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Larry Evans - State's Attorney's Office; Eric Dubrowski – Chief Financial Officer; Julie Ciesla – Finance; Gretchen Pearsall – Director of Strategic Communications; Angela Loftus – Asst. Director of Human Resources; Beth Derry - Regional Office of Education; Dave Ryan - Supervisor of Assessments; Steve Sonnemaker, Mike Deluhery, Gabe McLeod – County Clerk; Michael Brooks – Veterans Assistance Commission; Tom Bride – Election Commission; Nicole Demetreas - Treasurer; Kent Rotherham - Auditor; Mark Little – Chief Information Officer; Jennifer Shadid – Courts; Doug Gaa - Sheriff's Office

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mayer at 1:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes:

A motion to approve the minutes of September 26, 2017 was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Fennell. The motion carried.

Budget:

Mr. Sorrel advised that the recommended budget for all funds for FY2018 has sources totaling $122,564,277.00 and $126,677,192.00 in expenditures. He stated that staff recommends that the recommended property tax levy remains unchanged from FY2017. He advised that revenues for budgets under the purview of this committee total $3,923,803.00 and expenditures total $4,068,911.00. He commented that this committee has oversight 3% of revenues and 3% of expenditures across all funds. He stated that the General Fund budget as recommended totals $42,454,020.00, with expenditures of $42,121,983.00; this committee has purview of 7% of General Fund revenues and 8% of General Fund expenditures.

A motion to approve all funds as recommended by the County Administrator was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Ms. Williams.

County Auditor-

Mr. Sorrel advised that revenues are budgeted at $60,000.00, with expenditures of $173,750.00. He noted that the current Auditor is proposing to reimburse a portion of his salary back to the County.

County Clerk-

Mr. Sorrel advised that revenues are budgeted at $1,891,950.00, with expenditures of $824,180.00. Additional revenue is for liquor licenses has been built into the budget; fees have not been adjusted in more than 15 years, and an increase in those revenues is supported by Administration. A fee increase would necessitate a separate action by the County Board.

County Clerk’s Recording Automation Fund-

Mr. Sonnemaker noted that the Recorder’s Automation Fund Loan was extended from two years to four years (expiring 2020) to ensure adequate revenues to repay the loan.

County Election Commission-

Mr. Sorrel advised that recommended revenues total $31,205.00 and expenditures total $782,628.00. He stated that revenues are relatively flat as compared to the current year.

Mr. Dubrowski advised that the Election Commission has requested to move $170,000.00 in the Election Judges Salaries Line (51150) to a new Election Judges Salaries Line Item under Contractual Services, clarifying that election judges are contractual and not personnel expenses.

A motion to approve the recommended amendment was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion to amend carried, with Mr. Harding voting nay.

Mr. Bride commented that budget expenditures tend to increase in even numbered years, as larger elections are held in those years. He added that expenses fluctuate from year to year dependent on the type of elections being held.

County Treasurer-

Mr. Sorrel advised that overall revenues are recommended at $1,062,690.00, with expenditures at $409,723.00.00.

Finance-

Mr. Sorrel advised that revenues of $68,220.00 are proposed., with expenditures of $425,939.00.

Regional Office of Education (ROE)-

Mr. Sorrel advised that total revenues as originally recommended are $45,000.00, with total expenditures as originally recommended at $230,522.00.

Mr. Dubrowski advised that a staff proposed amendment represents a more accurate reflection of expenses to account for the move of (1) FTE on the county payroll to a non-county, grant funded portion of the operation, adding that revenues will decrease to reflect the elimination of the reimbursement associated with the position. Mr. Mayer advised that this action is in line with action taken by the County Board as to how this employee will be handled.

A motion to approve the recommended amendment was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion to amend carried, with Mr. Harding voting nay.

Supervisor of Assessments-

Mr. Sorrel proposed recommended revenues of $54,310.00 and expenditures of $562,692.00. He noted that the more significant changes are due to changes in benefits for those Board of Review members whose terms begin June 1, 2018.

Mr. Ryan noted that the Staffing Summary in the budget book indicates 11.60 FTEs for 2018, and advised that the total number of 2018 FTE’s has been reduced to 8.2 due to staff lay-offs and reclassification of three Board of Review members.

Veteran's Assistance Commission-

Mr. Sorrel advised that recommended revenues stand at $460,578.00, with recommended expenditures of $501,957.00. He stated that a slight increase in revenues is largely due to EAV growth. He commented that there is no recommended change to the rate, although the levy would go up due to increased EAV. He advised that an increase in expenditures is due in part to an increase in the cost associated with the current building space, as well as an increase in wages and benefits.

Mr. Harding asked if the budget will come to a balanced position. Mr. Sorrel advised that the recommended budget utilizes $41,379.00 of reserves, and if adopted as recommended, $101,204.00 would remain in reserves at the end of FY2018, approximately $19,000.00 under policy.

The motion to approve all funds as recommended and amended by the County Administrator carried, with Mr. Harding voting nay.

Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates:

Auditor-

Mr. Mayer advised that he has been working with the County Administrator and State’s Attorney’s Office on ballot language for the auditor referendum. Mr. Sorrel advised that the referendum question is calendared as a resolution going forward to the Executive Committee.

County Clerk-

Mr. Sonnemaker advised that the remodel of the office is complete. He emphasized that the remodel will allow a better utilization of staff and service to the public. He stated that the scanning project is going well and is nearing completion.

County Election Commission-

Mr. Bride advised that the filing period for major parties begins this coming Monday. He stated that the polling places for Limestone Township precincts #14, #18 and #19 have been moved to Coyote Creek Golf Center. He also commented that the polling place for Hallock precincts #1 and #2 has been relocated to the Edelstein Congregational Church, and it will be necessary to relocate the Northwoods Community Church polling place. He stated that all voters within those precincts will receive new voter registration cards with the new location noted, and a follow-up letter will also be mailed to households. Mr. Mayer recommended utilizing the Communications staff to assist in disseminating information related to the polling place changes.

Finance-

Mr. Dubrowski advised that the FY2019 recommended budget will be released October 11, 2018.

Regional Office of Education-

Ms. Derry provided an update on activities of the Regional Office of Education:

• 3,000 8th grade students attended Career Spark, an inter-active career expo held at the Peoria Civic Center. The event was a joint venture of Junior Achievement and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.

• The annual region report was distributed to committee members. Ms. Derry outlined the state mandated responsibilities delivered by the 3 FTEs in the office. The report also captures the different types of programming offered through the training center located in Edwards and the high school at Wildlife Prairie Park.

Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review-

• Tax Cycle

Mr. Ryan noted that the FY2017 budget was $668,630.00 as compared to the FY2017 recommended budget of $562,692.00.

Mr. Ryan advised that Senate Bill 851 was proposed in late October, although not voted on. He stated that the Bill would have increased the Owner-Occupied Exemption from $6,000.00 to $10,000.00 and the Senior Exemption from $5,000.00 to $8,000.00, as well as a Long Time Owner Occupied Exemption. He stated that passage of the Bill would have increased the number of individuals with exemptions, and increased the staffing level. Mr. Mayer suggested that Mr. Ryan discuss the application process for exemptions at a future committee meeting. Mr. Ryan noted that if a senior forgets to file, the state allows an individual to go back one year on Senior and Senior Freeze Exemptions, and stated that reminder notices are sent to individuals 65 and over who have filed for the Senior Exemption a reminder to file for the Senior Freeze.

• Board of Review

Mr. Mayer noted that there are no longer members of the Board of Review with commercial experience, and suggested that a Board of Review member report on the current caseload and how that loss of experience is affecting appeal cases.

Treasurer-

Ms. Demetreas advised that 1,997 parcels were sold at the tax sale held November 6, 2017, with the value of the sale at just over $5 million. She stated that 560 parcels went to the Trustee. She added that the final distribution will be December 5, 2017, with the interest distribution in mid- December.

Veteran's Assistance Commission-

Mr. Brooks advised that $9.6 million Mr. Brooks advised that over $9.6 million in compensation has been paid in 2017 to date, over $3 million more than the same time last year.

Mr. Brooks stated that he and Mr. Sorrel attended a VA Town Hall meeting in Pekin. He stated that he attended the Goodwill Stand Down in October. He also advised that he taught a class on VA Compensation.

Legislative Update-

Mr. Sorrel advised that the contract with Peoria County’s current legislative services consultant expires in December. He stated that staff is reviewing the RFP responses, and a recommendation for contract award is anticipated to come forward at the December meeting of the committee.

Resolution:

• Monthly Delinquent Taxes

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Watkins and seconded by Mr. Salzer. The motion carried.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Mayer at 2:12 p.m.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01232018-483