Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - County Operations Committee met June 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Attendance

Present:

Members: Member Rieker, Member Blair, Member Bryant, Member Duncan, Member Elsasser, Member Groves Allison, Member Phelan, Member Reneau, Member Williams

Staff & Guests:

Scott Sorrel, Jennie Cordis Boswell, Angela Loftus, Aric Beals, Andre Allen, Amy McLaren, Heather McCord, Julie Kusturin, Melissa Woods, Megan Bentley

Absent:

Members: Member Coates and Member Daley

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1 Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Rieker at 12:01 pm.

A motion to admit Member Elsasser and Member Reneau to the meeting via teleconference was made by Member Blair and was seconded by Member Phelan.

Motion Carried. (7-0)

Abstained Member Elsasser and Member Reneau

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2.1 April 22, 2025

A motion to approve the County Operations Committee meeting minutes from April 22, 2025 and Executive Session Minutes from April 22, 2025 was made by Member Williams and was seconded by Member Duncan.

Motion Carried. (9-0)

Teleconference: Member Elsasser and Member Reneau

2.2 April 22, 2025 Executive Session Minutes

3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS / REPORTS / OTHER MINUTES / UPDATES

3.1 Workforce Report

Mr. Sorrel advised this is the May dashboard for activity through the end of April. He guided the committee through the data provided in the report. Mr. Sorrel stood for questions; there were none.

3.2 Vacancy Report

Vacancy Report Mr. Sorrel advised this is a snapshot in time for the end of April. He stated there are roughly mid 60s for vacant positions. He stood for questions.

Member Williams asked Mr. Sorrel to explain the coroner's number.

Mr. Sorrel deferred to Ms. Loftus.

Ms. Loftus advised the budget is bound by the board but the number of FTEs is not. Within the number of FTEs that he has, it has exceeded that number. We have worked with Finance and the coroner's office to ensure those positions are all budgeted.

3.3 Digital Equity Pilot

Dr. Allen provided an update regarding the Digital Equity Pilot. He advised in Cohort #1, there are 38 actively enrolled participants, 37 of those participants live within the Comcast Cable jurisdiction and one participant lives within the Mid-Century Communications district. Participants represent a diverse range of County Board districts. Dr. Allen advised because there were some challenges with Cohort #1 with regards to those that had current service, when we opened up the application to the second cohort, the caveat was they could not have existing broadband service. He stated that many people within

Peoria County have broadband access. He noted the primary barriers were affordability, infrastructure limitations - specifically in rural areas, and quality of service. There will be only two individuals joining the pilot in Cohort #2; those individuals represent County Board Districts 4 and 9. He described an instance where an exception was made for an individual who they felt needed to have access to the pilot. Dr. Allen briefly covered total expenses, reimbursements and grant funding. He stated they would soon begin follow up services and check-ins with Cohort #1 participants. Dr. Allen stood for questions.

Member Phelan thanked Dr. Allen for putting the project together. He asked if everyone that has entered into this program is required to communicate with staff to maintain their status in the program..

Dr. Allen confirmed. He stated they would follow up with the participants to collect the information.

Member Phelan asked about the time Dr. Allen has spent managing this program.

Dr. Allen advised they have been diligent with being effective with their time. He further stated at this point it is main keeping up with the reports, maintaining communication with the grant manager. He stated the 40 participants will be what the total number of participants will be.

Member Phelan thanked Dr. Allen for ensuring a lot of County Board Districts are represented.

Member Blair asked if the 40 participants will utilize the entire grant.

Mr. Allen advised they will not utilize the entire grant. He stated they would have to explore other options to see if there are other opportunities to amend the grant agreement and spend the funds in a responsible manner.

4. RESOLUTIONS

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

5.1 Public Comment

Chairperson Rieker called for public comments. There were none.

6. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Miscellaneous

Chairperson Rieker called for miscellaneous comments. There were none.

7. EXECUTIVE SESSION

7.1 Labor Relations

Member Phelan moved to go into Executive Session to discuss Labor Relations, and was seconded by Member Blair.

The motion Carried. (9-0)

Teleconference: Member Elsasser, Member Reneau

The committee entered into Executive Session at 12:24 pm.

8. ADJOURNMENT

8.1 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Member Rieker at 12:55 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242025-1772