South Central Reporter

Macoupin County Board Finance Committee met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT: Thomas, Armour, Dragovich, Heuer, Kiel, Stayton, Duncan, Deihl, Starr, Ross, Garrison, Sanson, Tarro, Boehler, Clough

ABSENT: Payne

II. AGENDA ITEMS

1. FY 2022-2023 Tentative Budget Discussion

Julie Boehler presented the Animal Control budget request for next year. Overall, her budget is increasing from the current $157,800 to $232,500.

For her American Rescue Plan requests, she had the following: Lift kit for our AC truck, Cat Kennel Cage Bank (11 to 13 kennels $2500), HVAC and water heater replacement and repainting front lobby area/patching drywall, Replacing indoor/outdoor dog runs/kennels (many are in disrepair and rusted), replacing trench drains (ineffective for cleaning and sanitizing), Feral Cat Cages, Stable Heavy Duty Shelving for the Garage, Additional Cat Carriers for Transport,

Accurate Weight Scale for Large Dogs, 35 Kuranda Dog Beds ($90 each), 10 Kuranda Cat Pedestals ($90 each), Revamping the play yards outside to fully utilize the areas we currently have - install fencing on top of the small play area to secure the animal in the yard and build higher fencing and more secure structure on the other two pens ($3500) and On Site Dog Behavior Training for all staff and volunteers through Rediscover Your Dog in Springfield IL ($2000 - $3000)

Duncan presented a sheet showing the General Fund department requests as in total. If approved completely, it would be $8.9 million. Duncan also presented a summary of the additional SAFE-T Act/Criminal Justice from different departments. It also included raises requested by the Sheriff for the Chief Deputy, Jail Administrator, and Administrative Assistant that had not previously been approved by the Board.

The committee felt that they wanted the Sheriff to be present to discuss his requests and also wanted to get a better feel of the revenue projection before finalizing a tentative budget.

There was a discussion about the Assistant Public Defender position that had been vacant since January. The salary budgeted was $60,000 but the Public Defender’s office had an interested party with 31 years of experience that was interested in the position at $75,000. He would not take the county health insurance package. The Public Defender budget would be able to cover this increase for the current fiscal year due to savings, but it would require additional funds next year.

Motion by Dragovich, seconded by Heuer to approve hiring an Assistant Public Defender at $75,000 beginning July 1st.

2. Animal Control Budget Resolution

Duncan said that this resolution would increase the appropriation for the Animal Control Fund from $157,800 to $198,000. This was necessary due to the significantly higher average monthly expense this fiscal year which is $16,506. This resolution would cover the remaining expenses. There are only $9,243.43 budgeted dollars left in the fund.

There was an important caveat to that, this is based on averages. This month, we have over $3,000 in vet bills that went unpaid from January to April that the Vet asked about. There may be other situations like this that I am not aware of.

This also do not account for the 5.4% raise that Public Safety recommended for the Animal Control Officer effective immediately.

This resolution would also transfer $40,000 from General Fund to Animal Control Fund. This would come from the estate donation made to the County for Animal Control.

Motion by Kiel, seconded by Armour to adopt the resolution.

RESULT: MOTION TO RECOMMEND [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bernie Kiel, Member SECONDER: Todd Armour, Member AYES: Thomas, Armour, Dragovich, Heuer, Kiel, Stayton ABSENT: Payne

3. Resolution Regarding General Fund and Special Fund Appropriations Duncan said this was a cleanup resolution to adjust budgets for the remainder of the fiscal year. He ran through the changes.

1) Township Motor Fuel tax budget $ 1,000,000 to $3,150,000 . Sounds like a lot, but that’s about were next year’s budget is going to be. The biggest reason for the increase is the Rebuild Illinois funds. They are not MFT funds but they are being processed through the MFT fund. I did not properly account for the RBI funds in this years budget.

2) Recorder Microfilm from 55,000 to 70,000.

3) COVID Grant Fund from $100,000 to $4,300,000 - American Rescue Plan Money

4) Probation General Fund $390,140.33 to $426,392.40. Covers salary increases.

5) County Clerk General Fund. $341,525.60 to $351,525.60. Covers payroll processing costs

6) County Treasurer General Fund $144,284 to $147,284. Covers the part time help the Board approved when he was short staffed due to COVID.

7) Sales tax revenue projection increased by $49,252.07 to make it budget neutral Motion by Dragovich, seconded by Stayton to recommend the resolution.

4. Resolution Regarding Circuit Clerk Salary

Thomas said the Circuit Clerk's salary is different than the other officials as she is also an officer of the Court so it can be changed at any time. Thomas said that he would like to adjust her salary an additional percent above the two percent raise that had been granted the month before to the other officials. The total cost would be an additional $1,500 over the next two years. Armour said he understood the request, but was worried about the looking over the fence that tends to happen in the Courthouse. By giving her more, would that lead to others complaining about it?

Motion by Dragovich, seconded by Heuer to recommend a resolution granting the Circuit Clerk an additional 1% raise on December 1, 2022 and December 1, 2023.

RESULT: MOTION TO RECOMMEND [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Mark Dragovich, Member SECONDER: Gordon Heuer, Member AYES: Thomas, Armour, Dragovich, Heuer, Kiel, Stayton ABSENT: Payne

5. American Rescue Plan Funding Requests and Budget Framework Duncan passed out a summary of what had been approved the month before. One sheet was a breakdown by department of the total requests that had been approved. The second sheet took the same information but broke it down by type of expenses such as computer hardware, scanning, etc. The final document was the stipulations the committee had come up with for the townships in their requests. Duncan just wanted the committee to review to ensure he had everything listed correctly before it went to the full Board.

6. Tax Fund Audit for 20-21

Duncan said this was a request from the auditor. They needed to complete the audit for FY 20-21. However, the Treasurer's office had not yet sent them the necessary information to complete it. They were asking for the county to send the necessary information as soon as possible. Thomas said he would speak with the Treasurer about it

7. SAMS Number Update

Thomas said the SAMS number had finally been renewed which would help with held up grant money.

Tarro mentioned there was still reporting that needed to be completed by the Treasurer's office for the Public Transportation Program funding to continue. Thomas said he would also discuss that with the Treasurer as well.

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