Macoupin County Finance Committee met May 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT: Thomas, Harding, Armour, Lewis, Rull, Tranter, Dragovich, Duncan,
Ross, Watson, Deihl, Woesthaus
ABSENT: Kiel
II. AGENDA ITEMS
1. Special Service Area #3 (Staunton) Finanical Reports
Representatives from the Staunton Area Ambulance Service spoke about the financials for the ambulance service. He read off the last three years of the property tax distributions they have received from the special service area and the three fire protection districts. They had been advanced $30,000 last November to help cover the costs and Worden fire district donated $25,000 on top of the property tax distribution they would receive this year. Tranter asked about the property tax distributions from Macoupin when the transition to the special service area happened. On top of the $187,000 the ambulance service received from the special service area tax, Staunton Fire district also levied and gave the ambulance service $75,000 that year. Tranter discussed how previous issues with the last two directors in terms of reporting and billing and the representatives said they believe they are turning the corner and would like to meet on a quarterly basis to see how the financials are looking at that point to make sure things look like they are moving in the right direction. They believe things are moving in the correct direction and much more information is being shared with the whole ambulance board. The by-laws talk about each of the four fire districts being allowed to appoint members and they would amend those bylaws to account for the special service area in the future.
Resolution Amending Animal Control Fund Appropriation for Purchase of Lawn Mower
Animal Control Director Woesthaus spoke about the need for a lawn mower at the Animal Control Facility. Last year, volunteers had been mowing the lawn, but that was no longer available. Andrew would be willing to mow should he have a mower. His weekend part time help has a 2013 mower for $1,900 which he would be willing to sell. Woesthaus has the funds in available, he just needs his budget bumped up to allow for the purchase.
Motion by Harding, seconded by Lewis to recommend to the full Board adjusting the Animal Control Fund budget by $900 to allow for the purchase.
RESULT: MOTION TO RECOMMEND [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bill Harding, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Shielda Lewis, Member
AYES: Thomas, Harding, Armour, Lewis, Rull, Tranter
ABSENT: Kiel
3. Discussion of Current Year Fines and Fees Revenue Projection
Thomas said he had asked that this discussion happen as the new state law on fines and fees would be impacting the county greatly. Duncan said that Circuit Clerk Ross had said that starting July 1st, the fee money from tickets written by state police officers will now complete go to the state. Based on averages over the last six years, that would be $165,000 a year loss in revenue. Duncan also showed a chart that the ticket revenue from tickets written by the county deputies is decreasing. At this point in the calendar year, sheriff tickets are down by 50% while state police tickets have doubled from where they were at this point last calendar year.
4. FY 2019-2020 Budget Request Discussion and Budget Hearing Schedule
Clerk Duncan explained that using the average monthly projections for the General Fund revenue, the county looks like it will have a $215,700, subtracting out the cost of salary increases next year, the surplus would go down to $128,153. Neither of these surplus projections account for additional costs for housing of federal prisoners.
Dragovich said the requests from the officials and department heads should be flat other than the salary increases. The budget hearing schedule was set for June 6th, 10th and 13th.
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