Peoria County Board - Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs Committee met July 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| COMMITTEE
MEMBERS PRESENT: | Sharon Williams–Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison, Brandy Bryant, Eden Blair, Linda Daley, James Dillon, Daniel Kelch, Danny Phelan, Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Phillip Salzer |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: | Camille Coates, Betty Duncan, Matt Windish |
| STAFF PRESENT: | Shauna Musselman – Asst. County Administrator; Dana Hughes - State's Attorney's Office; Nick Ruybalid – County Administration; Heather McCord – Chief Financial Officer; Julie Kusturin – Finance; Rachael Parker, Brooke Sommerville – County Clerk; Andre Allen – Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer; Brittany Graves – DEI Generalist; Chris Watkins - Sheriff |
| VISITORS | Brian LeFevre – Sikich, LLP |
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of June 27, 2023 was made by Ms. Daley and seconded by Mr. Reneau. The motion carried (12-0).
Informational
➢ Monthly Financial Report
Ms. Kusturin advised that the report provides an overview of financial activity through April 30, 2023. Highlights include:
• Intergovernmental Revenues for all funds continue to be impacted by the nearly $24 million ARPA budget.
• Charges for Services are currently below budget due to several factors, including employee and employee health contributions not yet being recorded, low reimbursement for construction engineering. All fee-based accounts are at budget.
• General Fund Transfers In are below budget due to an appropriation from the Capital Projects Fund to the PCAPS Fund for the mobile unit.
• July revenue estimates published in the IML July Revenue magazine will be integrated with internal analysis completed by the Finance Department to become part of the FY2024 budget process.
Ms. Williams noted that Sales Tax Combined are all above budget expectations, and asked if forecasting for 2024 has been performed. Ms. Kusturin advised that staff has begun initial projections.
Mr. Dillon asked if the Finance Department has reviewed any potential changes in bonding revenue in the Circuit Clerk’s Office due to the implementation of the Safe-T Act, and Ms. Kusturin advised this is a discussion that can be explored during the budget hearings for the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
➢ Heddington Oaks Financial Report
Ms. McCord provided a summary of Heddington Oaks accounts receivable as of May 31, 2023. She noted additional information on collected amounts has been added to the monthly report.
Ms. McCord advised that as the state requires re-billing of outstanding Medicaid accounts, an agreement has been made with the Medicaid consultant to contract out billing services at no additional cost to Peoria County.
➢ June 2023 Accounts Payable Review
Ms. McCord directed committee members to the submitted report and stood for any questions. There were no questions or comments from committee.
➢ 2023 Debt Service Schedule
Ms. McCord provided a review of the debt service schedule for Peoria County’s existing debt, which consists of the following:
• Series 2022 Bonds, related to Heddington Oaks. Bonds were refunded in July 2022 and are callable in December 2032.
• Series 2020A: Debt Certificates for Wilhelm Bridge, which are callable in December 2028.
• Series 2020B Bonds, related to the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Bonds are callable in December 2028.
Ms. McCord outlined various strategies to repay the debt, and asked that committee members review options for discussion at a future meeting of the committee.
Resolutions
➢ Heddington Oaks Accounts Receivable Write Offs
A motion to approve was made by Dr. Blair and seconded by Ms. Bryant. Ms. McCord advised that to reduce the outstanding Heddington Oaks accounts receivable, she recommends accounts being written off in two phases. She stated that the first phase consists of write offs related to Patient Liability, Private Pay, Hospice, Coinsurance, Managed Care, and Private Insurance accounts, in the amount of $2,051,633.85. She explained this amount consists of just over 500 resident accounts dating from 2009 to 2020. The motion to approve carried (12-0).
➢ Sales Tax Exempt Policy
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. Ms. McCord advised that the county’s current Sales Tax-Exempt Policy was established to ensure employees request a tax exemption when making purchases. However, there are instances where it is impractical or not possible to have the sales tax removed from a purchase, in which case the County Administrator reviews the circumstances of the purchase. She stated that staff recommends a revision to the policy excluding the County Administrator review and approval of items of de minimis value. The motion to approve carried (12-0).
Discussion
➢ Report from External Auditor on FY2022 Audit
Mr. LeFevre, of Sikich, LLP, summarized the audit process and procedures, and presented the report resulting from the audit of Peoria County for the year ending December 31, 2022.
Mr. LeFevre advised that the sole significant deficiency was related to segregation of duties within the Pentamation system, a system that as of this date is no longer being utilized.
Public Comments
Chairperson Williams called for any public comment. There were no public comments.
Miscellaneous
None.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Williams at 3:35 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08292023-1484
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