Peoria County Public Safety and Justice Committee met Sept. 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Rosenbohm – Chairperson; Eden Blair, Brian Elsasser (via teleconference), Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Phillip Salzer, Sharon Williams |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: Brandy Bryant |
| OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Randy Brunner – Chief Financial Officer; Gretchen Pearsall, Jack Walton – County Administration; David Tuttle, Jodi Noe – ETSB; Robert Spears – Circuit Clerk; Jamie Harwood – Coroner; Nathan Bach – Public Defender; Mark Bronke, Robert Askins – Probation & Court Services; Gabe McLeod, Jennifer Shadid – Courts Administration; Brian Asbell, Doug Gaa – Sheriff’s Office; Nicole Bjerke - Treasurer |
Chairman Rosenbohm called the meeting to order at 12:32 pm.
A motion to allow the participation of Mr. Elsasser via teleconference was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Mr. Salzer. The motion carried unanimously 6-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of August 24, 2021 was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Mr. Rieker. The motion carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
Budget
A motion to approve budgets under the purview of the Public Safety and Justice Committee as recommended by the County Administrator was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Mr. Rieker.
Mr. Sorrel advised that the recommended budget for all funds for FY2022 has sources totaling $118.58 million and expenditures totaling $121.88 million. He explained the difference between revenues and expenditures is due to a planned use of fund balance. He further noted that staff intends to propose several recommended FY 2022 appropriations of built-up reserves, including the new finance software and upcoming Highway Department road and bridge projects.
Mr. Sorrel stated that the FY2022 General Fund budget has a recommended balanced budget of $47,185,810.00 in revenues and expenditures. He advised that the largest revenue source comes from intergovernmental revenues, while the largest expense is in personnel services.
Mr. Sorrel stated that the property tax levy for taxes payable in 2022 is recommended at $27,863,685.00 with a continued flat tax rate of 82.41¢ per $100.00 of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV). He advised that the Supervisor of Assessments projects a conservative 1.1% increase in EAV for taxes payable in 2022. He advised that Operations comprises 74.4% of the total levy, with the remaining 25.6% going toward pension related obligations. He called attention to the recommended increase in the FICA Fund to build reserves in order to address seasonal cash flow issues, and an increase in the Risk Management Fund reflects recommendations via the Bellwether study on the means of funding risk management services. He commented that to offset those increases, the General Fund portion of total revenue decreased by approximately the same amount as the increase in the Risk Management Fund. Additionally, he remarked that as short-term debt was paid off this year, there is no need to levy for the Debt Service Fund in FY 2022.
Mr. Sorrel advised that the Public Safety and Justice Committee has oversight of multiple departments and budgets in both the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds totaling a recommended $19,876,375.00 in revenues and $39,664,610.00 in expenditures. He commented that the committee represents 17% of the revenue budget and 32% of total expenditures across all funds.
Mr. Sorrel advised that the Public Safety and Justice Committee has oversight of 23% of revenues and 2/3 of expenditures in the General Fund.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates
• ETSB
No verbal report. No questions or comments from committee.
• Public Defender Report
Mr. Bach directed committee members to the submitted report and stood for any questions. There were no questions or comments from committee.
Joint Resolution
• Appropriation in County Sheriff budget related to cost of FOP Corrections Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement (joint with Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs Committee)
A motion to approve was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Dr. Blair. Mr. Brunner advised that the appropriation request is a result of several factors related to the Corrections contract ratified earlier this month. He stated that the contract includes a market adjustment related to recruitment and retention. He also stated that a longevity bonus plan was approved in July 2021 has been implemented by the Sheriff. Additionally, the union agreed to health plan changes as part of the contract agreement, and staff requests a transfer to the Employee Health Fund to cover the cost of the insurances increase.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (6-0). Mr. Elsasser absent for vote.
Resolutions
• COLA Increase for Public Defender
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Rieker. Ms. Shadid advised that the State’s Attorney has received a 2.5% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase effective July 1, 2021 the Public Defender’s salary must be at least 90% of the State’s Attorney’s salary per the Counties Code.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
• SFY22 Family Violence Coordinating Council Grant
A motion to approve was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Mr. Reneau. Ms. Shadid stated that Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) has awarded grant monies in the amount of $38,800.00 for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 20, 2022. She advised that the grant awarded by the ICJIA funds one part-time position, including benefits and any expenses related to grant activity. She commented that staff requests approval to enter into the grant agreement and appropriation of the grant funding, and no budget amendment is necessary.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
• FFY21 State Court Improvement Program Grant for Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Project
A motion to approve was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Mr. Reneau. Ms. Shadid stated that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) has awarded grant monies in the amount of $114,200.00 for the term of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. She advised that the grant awarded by the AOIC funds 75% of costs associated with two full time independent contractor attorneys who serve as guardian ad litems in juvenile abuse and neglect court. She commented that staff requests approval to enter into the grant agreement and appropriation of the grant funding, and no budget amendment is necessary.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (6-0). Mr. Elsasser absent for vote.
• FFY21 State Court Improvement Program COVID-19 Grant for Remote Juvenile Court Project
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Mr. Salzer. Ms. Shadid advised the $41,026.00 grant is a one-time funding opportunity which came about due to the COVID_19 pandemic. She stated that a remote court site will be created at the Juvenile Detention Center and the grant will fund two part-time employees to act as remote court hearing coordinators and related necessary technology. She stated that the term of the grant runs from September 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. She advised staff requests authorization to enter into the grant agreement and related budget amendment to recognize the funding.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
• FFY21 State Court Improvement Program Grant for Child Protection Data Courts Project
A motion to approve was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Dr. Blair. Ms. Shadid advised that the $10,558.00 grant funds one part-time independent contractor to review closed juvenile abuse and neglect cases and gather statistics used to evaluate operations within the juvenile courts system. She stated that the term of the grant runs from October 1, 2021 through September, 2022.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (6-0). Mr. Elsasser absent for vote.
• IDOT 2022 DUI Grant
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Reneau and seconded by Mr. Rieker. Mr. Bronke advised that Probation and Court Services received a $305,000.00 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. He stated that Probation and Court Services has been the recipient of this continuation grant for the past twelve years. He stated that the grant funds the costs for the DUI Court, including two assigned DUI probation officers, monitoring equipment, and the Public Defender’s and Assistant State’s Attorney’s portion of time dedicated to DUIs.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0) with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Rosenbohm at 12:55 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09282021-1049
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