Peoria County Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs Committee met Aug. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| COMMITTEE MEMBERS RESENT: | James Fennell – Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Brandy Bryant (via teleconference), Linda Daley, James Dillon, Betty Duncan (via teleconference), Kate Pastucha, Rachel Reliford, Steve Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Phillip Salzer, Sharon Williams |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: | Andrew Rand, Rob Reneau |
| STAFF PRESENT: | Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Asst. County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Randy Brunner – Chief Financial Officer; Julie Kusturin – Finance; Nicole Bjerke – Treasurer; Rachael Parker – County Clerk; Brian Asbell – County Sheriff; Beth Crider – Regional Office of Education; Andrew Braun – Planning & Zoning; Jamie Dowell – County Administration; Monica Hendrickson – Health Department |
| VISITORS | Chris Setti – Economic Development Council |
Chairperson Fennell called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
A motion to allow the participation of Ms. Duncan via teleconference was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Ms. Daley. The motion carried unanimously (12-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of July 27, 2021 was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Ms. Reliford. The motion carried unanimously (13-0).
Informational
⮚ Monthly Financial Report
Ms. Kusturin provided an overview of financial activity through June 30, 2021, representing 50.0% of the fiscal year. Highlights include:
⮚ General Fund Revenues as a whole are trending at or above expectations.
⮚ Including Property Tax distribution, the General Fund has seen an increase of $4.3 million (21%) over 2020.
⮚ Sales Tax exceeds 2021 budget expectations by $1.3 million.
⮚ Income Tax is trending higher than expectations; 4 of the past 6 months have seen the highest income tax receipts in at least the past 24 years. The increase is primarily due to income taxes collected on unemployment benefits and an increase from 95% to 100% of LGDF allocated to local governments.
⮚ Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) is trending $2.5 million (85%) above expectations. The success of technology, banking, insurance, housing, and communications sectors are offsetting losses by the airline, travel, hospitality, and small business sectors.
⮚ Due to the receipt of property taxes, County Highway, IMRF, and FICA fund balances are now within policy limits.
⮚ Heddington Oaks Financial Report
No verbal report. No questions or comments from committee.
⮚ Heddington Oaks 2021 Financial Plan
Ms. Musselman advised that Quarter 2 has been updated to reflect all attempted collections through the end of the quarter. She advised that both the Medicaid and Medicare Cost Reports have been filed. She noted that the Quarter 2 goal of attempted collection of 30-40% of total Accounts Receivable was met. She stated that actual cash receipts of 3%, with 7$% of those moving through the court process, 23% are under review with RSM, 8% are under internal review. She advised that just under $2 million of a total $4.3 million in outstanding AR is actively being pursued currently.
⮚ Legislative Update
No report.
⮚ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) update
Mr. Sorrel advised that a first report to the U.S. Treasury is due August 31, 2021. He stated that the report must include a General Plan for how Peoria County will utilize its allocation, which may be amended throughout the reporting life of the grant. He added that at this time, the county is not required to articulate in which years the allocation will be spent. He also advised that results of citizen feedback will be included in the initial report.
Mr. Sorrel advised that just over 350 citizens completed all or a portion of the Citizen Feedback Survey. He stated that the results indicated spending priority support of ARPA permitted use categories in the following rank order:
1) investment in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure
2) providing premium pay for essential workers
3) address negative economic impact
4) support public health expenditures
5) replace lost public sector revenue
Mr. Sorrel advised that an open-ended survey question asking the most important issue facing Peoria County Government as it relates to COVID-19 has not yet been thoroughly analyzed to determine if the results are consistent with or deviate from the spending priority rankings.
Mr. Sorrel summarized the recommended allocations for the Permitted Use Categories as follows:
Support Public Health Response - $2.4 million (the county is also seeking support from the city of Peoria to cost share an equal amount to create a $4.8 million equity-based fund, with the funding utilized for evidence-based practices and solutions)
Address Negative Economic Impacts - $1 million for small business assistance
Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss - $28.9 for capital improvements, with $14 million being dedicated to the Health and Human Service Campus and the remaining $14.9 million in capital improvements to be discussed and prioritized by the Infrastructure Committee
Water and Sewer Infrastructure - $2.5 million for broadband infrastructure; additionally, leveraging the $2.5 million to gain competitive grants
Premium Pay for Essential Workers – Undetermined - an evaluation of costs and clarification of premium workers is being analyzed by staff
Mr. Sorrel again stressed that the allocation amounts are recommendations and may be revised throughout the life of the grant.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Fennell at 2:32 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08242021-1025
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