Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Finance Committee met May 29.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo and Mr. Zenz

Members Absent

Ms. Parker

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Wheeler

Department Heads

Erich Blair, Anita Speckman, Nick Africano, Mike Downey, Steve McCarty, Delbert Skimerhorn, Robert Gessner, Mark Rogers, Tom Latham, Sandi Cianci, Graeme Quinn, Ben Wilson and Jake Lee

Media Present

1. Call to Order 

 Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chairman, Mr. Liehr, at 9:00 a.m. Quorum present.

2. Public Comment

No Public Comment

3. Presentation

4. Approval of Minutes: April 24, 2019

Mr. Swanson made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Byrne seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

5. Finance Department – Steve McCarty

• FY2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report – SKDO

Mr. McCarty advised that the Financial Report was emailed to the committee for review and introduced the representatives from SKDO Accounting Firm.

Ms. Carmen Huizenga and Ms. Marcie Kolberg provided the closeout communications from SKDO Accounting Firm reviewing the documents in detail with the committee.

Mr. Liehr advised that this report will need to be moved on to the full board.

Mr. Olthoff made a motion to move the report to the Full County Board meeting, Mr. Payton seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Zenz thanked SKDO for their high level report and asked how long the entire process was for them to complete.

Ms. Huizenga advised that the discussions began last October, the testing procedures started in January and February and the final numbers are received mid-February. The field work is done in March and April and the report is finalized throughout May.

• FY2019 Update

Mr. McCarty provided the committee with a power point presentation and information included in the committee packets regarding the FY2019 update.

Mr. McCarty reviewed the trend of FY2019 so the committee could see the general fund for the first time since 2012, will be a positive balance. He continued to review the information in detail with the committee.

Mr. McCarty noted that we will not need to take an early distribution of tax money.

Mr. McCarty cautioned the committee that while things are improving, there are goals that still need to be reached.

Mr. Wheeler asked if Mr. McCarty could answer if there is a possibility we will not need a TAW?

Mr. McCarty stated that we will for sure go down in the amount, and that thought has entered his mind. Mr. McCarty stated that we are getting to that picture a lot sooner than originally anticipated. There is a possibility, for sure lowering it, but possibly not having a TAW for cash flow purposes. This is a tremendous possibility to look forward to.

• Miscellaneous Financial Reports & Discussion

Mr. McCarty reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee.

• Cash Flow Update

Mr. McCarty reviewed the cash flow update with the committee.

Mr. LaGesse asked if this would help improve the counties rating.

Mr. McCarty advised that they are quick to drop the rating, but slow to raise it. He would expect more answers on that around August.

• Repayment of WIA Funds to IDCEO

Mr. McCarty reviewed and discussed the letter for repayment of funds that were stolen in 2014.

Mr. LaGesse made a motion to approve the payment, and Mr. Hess seconded it. Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 15-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

• Rural Public Transportation Quarterly Report

Mr. Wheeler stated that the report is in the board member packet and wanted the committee to see their financial report. IDOT is mandating that this committee reviews the report.

• Claims Recommended/Not Recommended for Approval

Mr. Liehr advised that there are two claims to discuss.

Mr. McCarty advised the first is to Christianson Auto regarding sales tax and the Sheriff’s Department is having the sales tax taken off.

Mr. Liehr asked what the recommendation is and Mr. McCarty advised that he would recommend paying the invoice without the tax.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the motion should be to short pay the invoice so they receive their principal money.

Mr. Wheeler made a motion to recommend payment excluding the tax amount, and Mr. Payton seconded it.

Mr. Wheeler asked why the question had to come to committee instead of happening between the auditor’s office and the Sheriff’s office. The tax amount is $1.32 this could have been resolved.

Mr. Wheeler asked if his office received any communication from the auditor’s office.

Sheriff Downey confirmed that they did not.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 15-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

The second claim is a Chase credit card activity that was from Jake Lee and it’s appropriate for the Finance Committee to review that.

Mr. Kinzinger made a motion to recommend payment, and Ms. Webber seconded it. Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 15-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Washington advised the committee that he would be leaving the meeting early.

6. Treasurer’s Office – Nick Africano

• County Treasurer’s Report – April 2019

• County Collector’s Report – April 2019

• Monthly Resolutions for June 2019

Mr. Olthoff made a motion to combine and approve the reports, and Ms. Haas seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Africano stated that he updated the report for going forward. The reports give more information as to where the money is coming from.

Mr. Africano advised the committee that on the advice of the State’s Attorney, the money that transfers through his office for the CVB will be sent to the CVB as usual and outlined in the agreement. It is his understanding that the CVB is putting the money in escrow.

Mr. Africano congratulated the committee on the positive financial report provided by Mr. McCarty.

7. Sheriff’s Department - Sheriff Mike Downey

 Monthly Update

Sheriff Downey wanted to give credit to Chairman Wheeler with what has been done financially and also to the board members who have gone through the bad times. We are certainly headed into the right direction.

Sheriff Downey reviewed the monthly report with the committee.

 Radio Upgrades Sheriff Downey reviewed the radio upgrade choices with the committee.

Mr. Olthoff asked if it would be best to finance 5 years as opposed to the 7 years, knowing that technology advances quickly.

Sheriff Downey advised that he would be hesitant to assume the radios would be out of date that quickly, the current radios are about 20 years old.

Sheriff Downey recommended that we go with the 5 year contract, but it is up to the committee.

Mr. Hess made a motion to approve the radio upgrade contract Option Three, and Mr. Byrne seconded it.

Mr. Wheeler stated that he agreed with the Sheriff, but would like to confirm with Mr. McCarty to verify that this fits into the Cash Flow plan.

Mr. McCarty advised the committee that he would recommend Option Three. Mr. McCarty also wanted to confirm that we have covered all bidding requirements.

Sheriff Downey confirmed.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 14-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

 Declaration of Surplus – Article 36 Seizures

Sheriff Downey advised the committee that there are three vehicles that are being declared as surplus from Article 36 seizures.

Mr. LaGesse made a motion to approve the declaration of Surplus, and Mr. Swanson seconded it.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 14-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

Sheriff Downey confirmed that he will be resubmitting the tax form for the auditors claim and it is a non-issue.

Sheriff Downey added that there was a security officer added to the annex building and reviewed the cost with the committee.

Sheriff Downey advised the committee that the recreational marijuana bill was submitted at 9pm and was over 610 pages, they have until Friday to vote on it. The impact will be unfathomable.

8. Circuit Clerk FY19 Budget Request

Ms. Cianci reviewed the budget request with the committee.

Ms. Cianci requested an additional budget amount to hire a part time employee and give a current employee a raise of $0.13 per hour. The request would be less than $1,000 for the remainder of the budget year.

Mr. Wheeler asked how collective bargaining agreements cover Part-Time employees. Ms. Cianci stated that part-time employees do not need to be a member.

Mr. Byrne asked if staffing problems were an issue and if there was a way to control those issues.

Mr. Olthoff made a motion to approve the Circuit Clerk’s budget request, and Mr. Zenz seconded it. Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 14-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

9. Auditor’s Office – Jake Lee

Ms. Webber made a motion to approve the monthly claims report and Mr. Payton seconded it.

 Monthly Claims

Mr. Lee reviewed and discussed the monthly report with the committee.

Mr. Byrne asked if Mr. Lee would be detailing the audit in the same manner as what was presented by SKDO and what the time frame typically is.

Mr. Lee discussed his process with the committee.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 14-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

10. Other Business

 Authorizing the County Board Chairman to Opt Out of an Agreement to Participate in a Hotel Tax Revenue Rebate Program By and Between the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc. and the County of Kankakee

Mr. Wheeler addressed the committee and reviewed the agreement with the committee. Mr. Wheeler stated that the CVB is offering a 1% rebate to the County. Mr. Wheeler requested that the money would be better spent in the hands of professionals who know how to support and attract visitors to our area.

Mr. Kinzinger made a motion to approve the authorization of Opting Out of the agreement, and Mr. LaGesse seconded it.

Mr. LaGesse stated that he agreed with Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Olthoff asked what the dollar amount was.

Mr. Wheeler stated that it is about $800.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 13-0. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Lagesse, Mr. Hess, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Zenz and Mr. Wheeler

11. Old Business/New Business

None

12. Adjournment

Mr. LaGesse made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 a.m., and Mr. Hess seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. Meeting Adjourned

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/finance_52919.pdf