Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Ways & Means Committee met Dec. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Attendance Present:

Members: Betty Duncan, Daniel Kelch, Terrence Ruhland, Sharon Williams, Matt Windish

Staff & Guests:

Scott Sorrel, Shauna Musselman, Nicole Bjerke, Jennie Cordis Boswell, Jimmy Dillon, Elizabeth Gannon, Rachael Parker, Dave Ryan, Brooke Sommerville, Michael Toren, Megan Bentley

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Duncan at 3:29 p.m.

II. Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of October 28, 2024, was made by Member Ruhland and seconded by Member Windish.

Motion carried (5-0)

III. Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates

A. County Clerk's Office

Ms. Parker had no additional information to add to the report included in the packet. Ms. Parker stood for questions; there were none.

Chairperson Duncan asked for an update on ClerkMate.

Ms. Musselman advised we have been working with ClerkMate, working through assembling committee packets through the Board meeting. End user training for department heads and elected officials began this week to create agenda items. The Board trainings are scheduled for December 17th and 19th.

B. County Election Commission

Ms. Gannon advised they have wrapped up the election. There was just under 70% voter turnout in Peoria County; 30% voted on election day, 20% voted early and about 18-19% voted by mail. They are full swing into the 2025 election cycle. There will be a primary on February 25th, in the City of Peoria and the Peoria Township Assessor will have a Republican ticket. The consolidated general election will be April 1st. Ms. Gannon stood for questions; there were none.

C. Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review

Mr. Ryan advised his department is wrapping up 2024 and should be done with Board of Review hearings about mid-January. They are currently getting ready for 2025. Reminder notices were sent out to seniors who had not filed a senior freeze.

Chairperson Duncan asked about the deadline for senior freeze.

Mr. Ryan advised they like to have them by end of October. They are sent out around February of each year, and they have until the end of December to file them. Mr. Ryan stood for questions; there were none.

D. Treasurer

Ms. Bjerke advised her office is wrapping up 2023. They had their tax sale, there 2, 218 parcels for a little over $4.2 million. The tax sale is a sealed bid, there has been push back in the past that this is unfair to the tax buyers and taxpayers. The Trustee ended up getting 577 parcels, compared with last year this is lower. We had 16 buyers; 13 were successful, 3 were not successful. We are doing our last distribution which will be done by Friday. We will be able to finish balancing all penalties and do the end of year transfer for the revenue budget for the Treasurer's office. Ms. Bjerke stood for questions.

Chairperson Duncan asked if there was fallout with regards to the bidding process.

Ms. Bjerke explained the process.

E. Veteran's Assistance Commission

Mr. Brooks is not present today. A VSO, Mike Grow, passed away on 11/30/2024 and Mr. Brooks is with the family at this time.

IV. Resolutions

A. Monthly Delinquent Taxes

A motion was made to approve the monthly delinquent taxes for November 2024 by Member Ruhland and was seconded by Member Williams.

There are 106 items with one removal. Chairperson Duncan called for questions from the committee; there were none.

Motion carried. (5-0)

B. Additional appropriation of $13,600.00 into the FY2024 budget for the payment of additional rental space, CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges, and back pay for insurance.

A motion to approve the resolution was made by Member Windish and was seconded by Member Kelch.

Chairperson Duncan called for questions or comments.

Member Williams asked if Mr. Sorrel could tell her how long the lease is for. Mr. Sorrel advised the lease is concurrent with the lease for the rest of the building; it is for multiple years.

Chairperson Duncan advised the lease agreement was not effective until October 21, 2024; this is why it was not included in FY2024, and we went to the General Fund for these monies. These two additional fees are accounted for.

The CAM charge of $837.00 is monthly, up $200 from original. The unpaid insurance is a one-time only charge until 2025.

Mr. Sorrel advised the total life of the approved lease will run through July 2031 which is concurrent with the lease on the other side. What is before you today are 3 months of expenditures for the current calendar and fiscal year.

Member Williams inquired about the out clause on the current contract.

Mr. Sorrel advised the out clause gives us the same rights we had in the other lease; it is less than 180 days.

Member Williams advised she would be a nay vote on this resolution.

Member Ruhland asked with the increase in common area maintenance, knowing we are the only tenant in the building, what exactly is defined as the common area.

Mr. Sorrel advised this is the actual footprint inside the building which includes the center hall between the two sides and the public restrooms. This is all in the lease terms, which the Board previously approved in the executed lease.

Member Ruhland asked if we are responsible for any exterior maintenance.

Mr. Sorrel advised the owner is responsible for the building structure, building roof, the parking lot, and the landscaping.

Motion carried. (3-2) Nay Votes - Member Windish and Member Williams

V. Public Comment

Chairperson Duncan called for public comments. There were none.

VI. Miscellaneous

Chairperson Duncan called for miscellaneous comments. Chairperson Duncan reminded the committee to sign up for the ClerkMate training if they have not done so yet.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Duncan at 3:50 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062025-1704