Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Ways & Means Committee met Aug. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Rieker – Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison – Vice Chairperson; Eden Blair, James Fennell, Phillip Salzer, William Watkins, Jr., Matt Windish

MEMBERS ABSENT: Rachel Reliford

STAFF PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Gretchen Pearsall – County Administration; Sherri Ernst – County Clerk; Elizabeth Gannon – Election Commission; Dave Ryan – Supervisor of Assessments; Nicole Bjerke – Treasurer; Michael Brooks – VAC

OTHERS PRESENT:

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rieker at 3:30 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of July 25, 2022 was made by Mr. Fennell and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates

County Clerk

➢ Collections and Transactions Report

Ms. Ernst directed committee members to the submitted report. She stated that the office is currently over $72,000.00 over budget in revenues.

Peoria County Election Commission

Ms. Gannon advised that the filing periods are nearly complete and anticipate a certification from the State Board of Elections within the next week. She stated that vote-by-mail and early voting will begin September 29, 2022. She commented that, per state statute, a permanent vote-by-mail mailer has been mailed to all Peoria County registered voters who are not already enrolled in the program. She stressed that permanent vote-by-mail is an option and is not mandatory.

Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review

• Tax Cycle

Mr. Ryan advised that 2021 assessment notices have been mailed. He stated that 3,700 notices were sent to individuals who had changes other than equalization, and equalization factors and notices have been published in the newspaper. He advised that the filing deadline for the Board of Review is September 29, 2022.

Treasurer

Ms. Bjerke advised that with third distribution of August 9, 2022, distribution stands at 57%. She noted that the second property tax installment is due September 7, 2022, with the third distribution scheduled for September 21, 2022.

Ms. Bjerke advised that the office is gathering sealed bids for the Trustee auction which runs through August 26th at 5:00 p.m.

Veteran's Assistance Commission

Mr. Brooks advised that the PACT Act was signed by the President on August 10th, commenting that this is the most expansive Act in nearly 30 years.

Mr. Brooks advised that the Peoria Chiefs “Hero for A Day” promotion, saluting active and retired miliary, runs through September 4th. He stated that 34 veterans have been honored at the games.

➢ NACo Operation Green Light

Mr. Sorrel discussed Operation Green Light, a program launched at the recent NACo Conference. He stated that the initiative highlights and brings attention to veteran’s services in counties, parishes, and boroughs across the nation. He stated that Peoria County plans to prepare a proclamation recognizing those efforts, and light the courthouse and jail facilities green from November 7th through November 13th as a way of showing support and appreciation to the veterans community.

Resolutions

• Monthly Delinquent Taxes

A motion to approve the July 2022 and August 2022 Delinquent Tax resolutions was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Watkins. The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0).

• Ordinance allowing Peoria County Treasurer to adopt a single bidder rule for annual tax sale

A motion to approve was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Mr. Fennell. Ms. Bjerke advised that in response to the pandemic, the Trustee’s annual tax sale began a sealed bid process as opposed to an in-person auction. She stated that the new system has resulted in a large increase in tax buyers, with some buyers attempting to increase their odds of being awarded more bids by creating multiple new buyers, which effectively eliminated buyers with a single bid. She advised that the Property Tax Code now allows counties with a less than 275,000 population to adopt an Ordinance adopting a single bidder rule.

The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0).

Committee Action

• Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Groves Allison and seconded by Mr. Watkins. Ms. Bjerke explained that the Certificate is currently held by the Trustee and he either reached out to or was approached by an individual about purchasing the Certificate. She stated that the individual would then provide the Trustee the funds to redeem the taxes.

The motion to approve carried unanimously (7-0).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Rieker at 3:53 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10032022-1285