Finance Committee Rock Island County Board July 15, 2011 The Finance Committee of the Rock Island County Board met on Friday, July 15, 2011 in the conference room of the County Board Office. Chairperson Phil Banaszek called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Banaszek, Camlin, Jacobs, McColl, Perez, Rockwell and Sallows Others Present: James E. Bohnsack, Greg Moseley, Larry Wilson, Sheriff Jeff Boyd, Captain Richard Fisher, Captain Steve Dean, April Palmer, Donna Wilkerson, Louisa Ewert, Mark Senko and Meg Hoskins Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2011 meeting. Request to Address Committee Mr. Moseley appeared before the committee to discuss the animal shelter. He has been a supporter, helper and huge donor of the shelter, totaling over $50,000 of his own money plus a great deal of time. He feels there is not enough staff at the shelter. The Sheriff has been kind enough to bring out prisoners when personnel allow for the transport. Without their help, it is chaos at the shelter. There are 7 full time staff at the shelter and 2 part time. That totals 15,712 hours per year that are available to cover work; divided by 5 people who are there daily that equals 3,120 hours per person to be covered annually. Staff is responsible for the 272 cat cages and kennels, 544 food/waster bowls and 100 liter pans plus dog runs, and cleaning of the office, restrooms, windows and mowing the grass. Mr. Moseley proposes the funds be made available for the Sheriff to hire a retired deputy to handle transport of trusties to the shelter. This would then allow the Sheriff to bring out 3 inmates to provide 9 hours per day of work or 63 man hours. With the cost of the deputy, the County would have a net gain. Mr. Moseley stated that he is not a member of QC PAWS, but he does help them. He is a taxpayer and business man. This is not an emotional plea, it makes good common business sense. Sheriff Boyd was interested in reviewing the proposal. Chairperson Banaszek asked Sheriff Boyd and his administrative team to come up with a plan to bring on staff to transport prisoners and to present the cost to the committee at a future meeting. Mr. Moseley was thanked for coming to the committee and for his support of the shelter. From Other Committee The Public Works Committee forwarded a request for funding to cover the cost of air conditioning repairs for the County Office Building totaling $2,728.88 as
well as a request for appropriation for air conditioning repairs to the Office Annex at Hope Creek Care totaling just $1687.50. The total cost of the repairs to the rental building is $6750 with 75% being covered under an energy efficiency grant. (Record) Ms. Sallows moved, Mr. Jacobs seconded to approve the new money resolutions. FOIA Included in the packet were monthly reports. (Record) Previously Tabled Requests to hire for three positions were then reviewed. The Systems Liaison has been taken care of as required under the contractual obligation. There is no one in the entry level position. It will be looked again in 3 months. Sheriff Boyd discussed the replacement deputy sheriff position. A contract exists with MetroLink totaling $108,000 for 2 deputies. There is just one in that position currently. They continue to pay the approximately $9000 monthly for both positions. Without the replacement hire, they cannot fill the MetroLink officer. Chairman Bohnsack stated that the contract could actually be beneficial for the County if it were handled correctly. Mr. Rockwell commented that we should not be hiring any additional staff right now as there is a very good chance that we will have less employees in the next fiscal year. We are already down 18 positions from last year. Ms. Sallows does not think we can afford to cut any deputies. Chairperson Banaszek stated that we don t have the revenue we had last year. We are down right now $1.6 million. Last year at this time, it was over $3.2 million. Starting salary of a deputy is $43,227.67 according to the FOP Lodge 61 contract, plus health insurance benefits of $12,836 annually, FICA of $3,306.92 and SLEP of $5,511.53 gets the grant total to $64,882.11 per deputy. This is in addition to clothing allowance and vehicle costs. MetroLink only pays $54,000 per deputy. Sheriff Boyd was willing to renegotiate the contract with MetroLink to cover the actual costs. Ms. Sallows moved, Mr. Camlin seconded to approve the hiring of a replacement deputy sheriff for the MetroLink contract after a full review of the actual cost as it compares the revenue received. This information will come back to the committee next month. Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. McColl seconded to keep the correctional officer position vacant through the end of this fiscal year, November 30, 2011.
Mr. Rockwell stated that we may have sufficient revenues or may have to cut expenses. We do not know yet, but the Budget Committee will begin their review in August. Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. Jacobs seconded to approve transfers of appropriations in 7 funds. Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. Jacobs seconded to approve the delinquent tax resolution. Mr. Jacobs moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve the Treasurer s Disbursements totaling $2,733,707.85. Mr. Jacobs moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve claims totaling $1,349,607.38 plus late claims of $32,042.30 for a total of $1,381,649.69. Carried with Mr. Rockwell abstaining. Mr. Jacobs moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve the six new money resolutions as presented. Chief County Assessment Office Mr. Wilson presented the monthly report which indicated that the assessors books have been received. (Record) An update will be requested regarding potential legislation on the taxpayers who pay $0. Mr. Jacobs moved, Mr. McColl seconded to approve the report. Board of Review No report no show Purchasing Ms. Wilkerson presented the routine monthly report. (Record) Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. Jacobs seconded to approve the report. Treasurer Ms. Ewert presented the interest report indicating a rate of just 0.65%. This rate will be dropping to 0.50% next month. Our supplemental sales tax is up over $75,000 so far year to date. Mr. Perez moved, Mr. Jacobs seconded to approve the reports.
Condition of Funds Ms. Palmer presented the routine monthly reports. Our General Fund is down from this time last year. The state has paid most reimbursement items thru March. (Record) Ms. Palmer added that she is working on appointments with area banks to eliminate the bank service fees on our credit cards. She is also interested in the possibility of revenue generating through some type of cash back process. She will involve Treasurer Ewert and Information Systems Director Billingsley in the process. Mr. Jacobs commented on the high balances in the special revenue funds such as Probation Service Fees. He feels there should be a limit as to the balance that remains in the funds. Ms. Palmer advised that Diana Robinson earned the GFOA award for distinctive budget. Her office will begin meeting with area banks to handle our credit cards. She is hoping to obtain cash rewards on our purchases. An RFP is also being drafted for our annual audit. Mr. McColl moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve the report. Mr. McColl moved, Mr. Perez seconded to approve the per diem/mileage report. Mr. Camlin moved, Mr. Perez seconded to go into closed session to discuss personnel as per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Carried with a roll call vote. Closed session began at 2:08 PM. Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. McColl seconded to return to open session. Closed Session ended at 2:34 PM. Mr. Rockwell moved, Mr. Camlin seconded to create the first assistant position in the State s Attorneys Office with a salary increase of $4500 annually, effective with the first pay cycle following full board approval. Mr. Senko presented a request to hire a replacement legal assistant I for the juvenile court office. The incumbent will retire effective July 29, 2011. He does not think it is feasible to go without the position or to move someone from the Courthouse due to the separate facilities. Starting salary for the position is $13.06 per hour or $27,164. Mr. Rockwell stated that he will be voting no on the replacement because we are under a hiring freeze. Mr. McColl suggested tabling the issue for one month. Ms. Sallows asked if this position were filled now
if someone could be laid off in the near future or new budget year. She does not think that we can compromise the safety of the County with the potential layoff of a deputy. This matter will be researched for additional information. Mr. Camlin moved, Mr. McColl seconded to table the request to hire a replacement legal assistant I until the next meeting. There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 2:46 PM. Shelly Chapman Minutes completed 07-17-11 at 9:00 PM