Peoria County Ways and Means Committee met Nov. 29.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| MEMBERS PRESENT: | Steven Rieker – Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison – Vice Chairperson; Eden Blair, James Fennell, Rachel Reliford (via teleconference), Phillip Salzer, William Watkins, Jr. |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: | |
| STAFF PRESENT: | Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office (via teleconference); Jamie Dowell – County Administration; Rachael Parker – County Clerk; Elizabeth Gannon – Election Commission; Dave Ryan – Supervisor of Assessments; Nicole Bjerke, Ryan Sanders – Treasurer; Michael Brooks – Veteran’s Assistance Commission |
| OTHERS PRESENT: |
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Rieker at 3:30 p.m.
A motion to allow the participation of Ms. Reliford via teleconference was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of October 25, 2021 was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates
County Clerk
⮚ Collections and Transactions Report
Ms. Parker advised that revenues continue to exceed FY 2021 budget projections.
Peoria County Election Commission
Ms. Gannon advised that two vendors provided presentations of their voting systems at a meeting of the Voting System Evaluation Committee. She remarked that based on the submitted proposals, the presentations, the committee’s overall criteria, Hart InterCivic has been chosen as the preferred vendor, and has been approved by the Election Commission Board.
Mr. Rieker noted that the committee reviewing the vendor and selection process is a bipartisan committee consisting of members from the Election Board and the Peoria County Board, a staff member from the Peoria County IT Department, and Peoria County legal representation.
Ms. Gannon advised recommendations for the purchase of voting booths and upgrade of poll books will be brought forward to the Elections Board in December and the County Board in January. She stated that it is the intent to have all components ready to utilize by the June 2022 election.
Ms. Gannon advised that the total cost of the voting equipment, voting booths, and poll book upgrade will total approximately $1 million to $1.5 million.
Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review
• Tax Cycle
Mr. Ryan advised that the Board of Review hearings will conclude in January and a final abstract will then be sent to the Department of Revenue for approval. He stated that upon approval, the final abstract is sent to the County Clerk’s Office and finally to the Treasurer’s Office.
Mr. Ryan that although the Board of Review has several large, upcoming commercial hearings, the number of hearings overall has been down.
Mr. Ryan advised that Senior Freeze notices will be mailed in early 2022.
Treasurer
Ms. Bjerke advised that 2,038 parcels went to the tax sale, a slight increase from 2020. She stated that 1,578 of those parcels were sold to tax buyers and 460 parcels went to the Trustee. She commented that the tax sale amount of $2.5 million will be included in the final real estate tax distribution on December 8, 2021. She added that an interest distribution will take place mid
December.
Ms. Bjerke advised that real estate tax pre-payment will be available December 1-31, 2021.
Ms. Bjerke advised that she has prepared a draft of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Township of the City of Peoria to initiate accepting tax payments for that township.
Veteran's Assistance Commission
Mr. Brooks reported that the VAC currently has 679 total active cases, with 501 active VA Compensation Claims awaiting decision and 178 active VA Compensation Appeal Claims awaiting decision. He advised that $6.1 million in lump sum payments to veterans and a total of $39 million in veteran payments have been brought in thus far in 2021, both increase from 2020 totals.
Mr. Brooks advised that approximately 40 veterans on average are utilizing Walk-In Wednesdays.
Mr. Brooks advised that he is negotiating the availability of a Veteran’s Service Officer at the Peoria VA Clinic twice a week. He also stated that the VAC attended five outreach events in October and November.
Resolution
• Monthly Delinquent Taxes
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Rieker at 3:53 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11292021-1089
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