Peoria County Board - Ways & Means Committee met July 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| MEMBERS PRESENT: | Steven Rieker – Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison – Vice Chairperson; Eden Blair, James Fennell, Rachel Reliford, Phillip Salzer, William Watkins, Jr., Matt Windish |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: | |
| STAFF PRESENT: | Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord – Chief Financial Officer; Gretchen Pearsall – County Administration; Rachael Parker – County Clerk; Tom Bride – Election Commission; Dave Ryan – Supervisor of Assessments; Nicole Bjerke – Treasurer; Michael Brooks – VAC; Becca Cottrell – Recycling & Resource Conservation |
| OTHERS PRESENT: |
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rieker at 3:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of May 23, 2022 was made by Ms. Reliford and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion carried unanimously (8-0).
Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates
County Clerk
⮚ Collections and Transactions Report
Ms. Parker commented that Recordings have slowed in conjunction with the slower housing market, and liquor license applications have increased slightly.
Peoria County Election Commission
Mr. Bride advised that the primary held June 28, 2022 saw an overall good turnout despite the new voting system and new processes. He noted that as compared to 2018, vote-by-mail saw an increase of approximately 160% as compared to 2018, and early voting numbers increased by 20%.
Mr. Bride advised that vote-by-mail applications will be mailed to approximately 100,000 Peoria County voters in mid-August for the November 2022 elections, with an additional 18,000 to 19,000 applications emailed to voters with accessible emails.
Mr. Bride advised that today is the final day to file for a vacancy, and he anticipates that November ballots will be finalized by September 1.
Mr. Bride advised that he will be leaving his position at the end of this week, and the Board of Election Commissioners will appoint an Acting Executive Director.
Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review
• Tax Cycle
Mr. Ryan advised that all assessment information has been turned in by the Townships, and 2022 assessments will be completed within a month. He stated that as 2022 is a non-reassessment year, approximately 3,500 to 4,000 assessment notices will be sent out, with the remainder receiving a flat equalization factor.
Mr. Ryan advised that the EAV has been increasing and several years of increases in assessed value are anticipated.
Treasurer
Ms. Bjerke advised that the second distribution totaled $178 million to districts, with the third distribution scheduled for August 9, 2022. She noted that the second property tax installment is due September 7, 2022.
Ms. Bjerke advised that the office is in the midst of training two new employees.
Veteran's Assistance Commission
Mr. Brooks advised that the Commission currently has 604 active VA claims awaiting decision and 202 awaiting appeals, for a total of 806 claims. He stated that year-to-date lump sum payments to veterans total $4.5 million, with total VA compensation year-to-date of $30.3 million.
Mr. Brooks advised that the next Walk-In Wednesday will be held August 31, 2022.
Mr. Brooks advised that he has met again with Tazewell County Veterans Assistance Commission Superintendent and the Tazewell County Administrator to further discuss HB5184, which stipulates that all VACs must prepare VA claims as of January 1, 2023. He stated that Tazewell County anticipates hiring several additional Veteran Services Officers (VSOs) in 2023, and Peoria County VAC will hold VA claims training sessions with Tazewell County within the next several months.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program Update Ms. Cottrell updated the committee on the status of the C-PACE Program. She commented that the program was launched in August 2021. She stated that 14 Illinois counties have adopted this new program, with 9 counties adopting subsequent to Peoria County. She stated that although Peoria County has not yet received a project, the Sustainability Department continues to promote the via speaking engagements and presentations, printed postcards, labor paper advertisements, and direct mailings
Resolutions
• Monthly Delinquent Taxes
Mr. Rieker noted that many of the parcels listed on the resolution this month are sales to the City of Peoria Land Bank.
A motion to approve was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Mr. Fennell. The motion to approve carried unanimously (8-0).
• Election Commission Budget Amendment
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. Mr. Bride advised that the Commission is the recipient of an Elections Security Grant, administered by the Illinois State Board of Elections, which will assist with security issues related to elections. He stated that purchases related to the reimbursement grant have been expended.
The motion to approve carried unanimously (8-0).
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Rieker at 3:54 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07252022-1242
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