Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - County Health Committee met Sept. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Reneau – Chairperson; Camille Coates – Vice Chairperson; Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Brandy Bryant, Linda Daley, Betty Duncan, Brian Elsasser, Nathan Hoerr, Danny Phelan, Steven Rieker, Phillip Salzer, Sharon Williams

MEMBERS ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Dana Hughes - State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord –Chief Financial Officer; Julie Kusturin – Finance; Monica Hendrickson – Health Department; Beth Crider – RegionalOffice of Education; Becca Cottrell – Sustainability & ResourceConservation

VISITORS:

Call to Order

Chairperson Reneau called the meeting to order at 1:22 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of July 25, 2023 and August 10, 2023 was made by Ms. Duncan and seconded by Ms. Daley. The motion carried (13-0).

Budget

A motion to approve budgets under the purview of the County Health Committee as recommended by the County Administrator was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Ms. Coates.

Mr. Sorrel advised that the recommended budget for all funds for FY2024 has sources totaling $150.6 million and expenditures totaling $154.9 million. He noted that Intergovernmental Revenues, Charges for Services, and Property Taxes are the county’s largest sources of revenue, while Personnel is the largest county expenditure.

Mr. Sorrel advised that based upon data from the Supervisor of Assessments Office and elected township assessors, a 6.7% increase in Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) has been projected for taxes payable in 2024. He stated that the recommended property tax levy for taxes payable in 2024 is recommended at $31.34 million with a continued flat tax rate of 82.41¢ per $100.00 of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV).

Mr. Sorrel advised that the County Health Committee has budget oversight of a recommended $9.7 million in revenues (7%) and $10.8 million in expenditures (7%) across all funds.

Mr. Sorrel stated that the FY2023 General Fund budget has a recommended balanced budget of $56,770,082.00 in revenues and expenditures. He advised that Intergovernmental Revenue is the largest revenue stream in the General Fund, while Personnel is the largest county expenditure.

Mr. Sorrel advised that the Regional Office of Education is the sole office within the General Fund for which County Health Committee has oversight, and comprises less than 1% of revenues and 1% of expenditures in the General Fund.

Mr. Sorrel addressed questions by committee members on the Solid Waste Management fund related to the HHS Campus and indirect IT user fees, and the University of Illinois' contribution to the Health Department’s dental clinic. Ms. Hendrickson outlined the services provided by the dental clinic. Mr. Rieker stated that with potential funding challenges related to the delay of Landfill #3, a reappraisal of staffing levels in the Sustainability Office may be necessary by the end of 2023.

The motion to approve the budget as recommended carried (13-0).

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates

• Board of Health

Ms. Hendrickson advised that the first two project allocations through the Health Equity Fund have been approved by the Board of Health, and stated that the project will focus on housing stability and affordability.

Ms. Hendrickson advised that the Cure Violence RFPS for the South Side of Peoria are due today, and after review an award recommendation will go before the Board of Health for approval.

Ms. Hendrickson advised that staff is preparing for the procurement of the 2023 COVID-19 vaccine.

• Care & Treatment Board

No report. No questions or comments from committee.

• EMA

Ms. Hendrickson advised that with the intensive work related to the pandemic slowing, the EMA will re-set priorities to long-term planning, with scheduled strategic events and meetings.

• Regional Office of Education

Ms. Crider provided an update on activities. Highlights include:

• Two new staff were hired this past summer who are focusing on the continuous improvement process.

• Although the Preschool for All program is in need of staffing, there are Four Preschool for All classrooms currently active, with two at St. Paul Baptist Church and two located at Bartonville schools.

• Truancy continues to be a severe nationwide issue, and Truancy staff continues to work with Peoria County schoolchildren and parents to address the matter.

• The ROE has been the recipient of several grants, including a competitive federal violence prevention grant, a City of Peoria grant to target violence, and a state grant which will allow improvement of facilities and safety.

• Career Spark for 8th grade students will be held September 28-29 at the Peoria Civic Center.

• Sustainability & Resource Conservation

Ms. Cottrell provided an update on activities. Highlights include:

• The county has again opted into CERA (Consumer Electronics Recycling Act) for (4) single day collections and (1) permanent collection site. 250 households are registered for an electronics collection being held today in Limestone Township.

• Outreach meeting was held at the Food Handlers Association in LaSalle County to discuss composting in commercial establishments.

• The Regional Food Council held a third workshop earlier this month centered on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Local Foods to Schools Program.

• A reduction overall in Natural Gas and Electric usage can be seen in the first 6 months of the year, primarily due to the Health Department being offline, as well as the effects of a new burner installed at the courthouse.

• Landfill

• Progress on Landfill #3 continues to be on hold due to the discovery of an undocumented mine, and GFL is awaiting direction from the IEPA on moving forward.

Ms. Cottrell advised that staff is working on required updates to the Solid Waste Plan, and a draft will be brought forward to the committee in October.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Miscellaneous

Mr. Phelan acknowledged the Health Department for their work in assisting a new business owner with a tight inspection schedule.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Reneau at 2:02 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10242023-1520