Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Finance Committee met Nov. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

MINUTES

Mr. Sirois, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas and Mr. Miller

Members Absent

Mr. Wheeler, Mr. LaGesse and Mr. Tholen

In Attendance

 Board Members

 Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Kevin Duval, Erich Blair, Ben Wilson, Karen Smietanski and Delbert Skimerhorn

 Media None

1. Call to Order

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

2. Public Comment

None

3. Presentations

None

4. Approval of Minutes: October 22, 2019

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

5. Legislative – Steve Liehr

Mr. Liehr advised that on Monday he attended the UCCI meeting in Springfield on the National Association of Counties, which Kankakee takes part in. He received a very good update on the benefits that we will receive with being part of that. Mr. Liehr reviewed and discussed the benefits with the committee. Mr. Liehr advised that he has a paper copy to distribute.

In regards to legislation, there will be an email on the bill involving corrections in the marijuana bill. There are no major changes, but technical.

There were no questions from the committee.

6. Appointments 

None

7. Information Services – Kevin Duval

 Monthly Update

Mr. Duval updated the committee since there are new board members on the committee. Mr. Duval provided a review.

8. Health Department – John Bevis

 Proposal to Change the Correction Time on a Priority Violation in the Food Service Sanitation Code from 24 hours to 72 Hours

Mr. Bevis reviewed and discussed the changes with the committee. 

Mr. Bevis advised that the correction time would be extended to 72 hours from 24 hours. This allows the timeframe to have more flexibility to get the situation corrected.

Mr. Washington made a motion to approve the increase, and Mr. Byrne seconded it.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Fetherling asked if the health department change will go to full board.

Mr. Sirois confirmed that it would be voted on by the full board.

9. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy

None

10. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski  Monthly Report

Ms. Smietanski reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

Mr. Payton made a motion to accept the September report, and Mr. Fetherling seconded it.

Ms. Smietanski confirmed with the committee that the report is for September only.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

11. County Administrator’s Report - Anita Speckman  Staffing Report

Ms. Speckman reviewed and updated the committee on the staffing report, noting that the month has been very quiet with staffing activity.

There were no questions or comments from the committee regarding the staffing report. Mr. Sirois commented on open enrollment that will begin on December 1st.

Ms. Speckman spoke in regards to open enrollment for the county employees that are eligible for benefits. Ms. Speckman advised that the county is doing the same concept for this year as last year. There is a video with complete information listed online that can walk the employees through the enrollment process at their own leisure.

Ms. Speckman advised that this year is different because of the change from United Healthcare to Blue Cross Blue Shield. All employees must log in and choose whether they are electing coverage or waiving coverage. This is an active enrollment this year, compared to last year’s passive enrollment which didn’t require logging in if you were keeping the same coverage.

Mr. Liehr asked about life insurance policies and if action would be needed for that.

Ms. Speckman advised that life insurance only will not require logging in.

Mr. Sirois commented that the video is a great way to complete open enrollment.

Ms. Speckman advised that the greatest benefit is the ability to watch the video from home to review the information. The feedback has been very favorable.

Lastly, Ms. Speckman advised the committee of the Medical Loss Ratio rebate that the county will receive. This is based on a state wide calculation that is prorated. The county then retains 75% and 25% was distributed to the employees. This broke down to $5.39 to each employee that participated in the plan for 2017 and still enrolled for 2018.

This year, the amount to distribute is $15,037 to distribute. That will go out to employees once the listing is finished. You can distribute to employees or apply the rebate to the cost of a healthcare plan. We are doing this option and providing a discount on the medical plans covered.

12. Administrative Issues

 Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments:

Mr. Sirois read the appointments and reappointments to the committee.

 Appointment of Matt Thyfault to fill an unexpired term for the Momence Fire Protection District

 Appointment of Jackie Haas to the I-KAN Joint Education Commission

 Appointment of Mike Allegro to the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority

 Appointment of Roger Blanchette to fill an unexpired term on the Exline Creek Drainage District

 Reappointment of Leslie Burton to the Kankakee River Conservancy District

Mr. Byrne made a motion to combine and approve the appointments, and Mr. Washington seconded it.

Mr. Liehr questioned the residency of Mr. Allegro and asked if that had been vested.

Mr. Sirois advised that he was certain that it had been vested, but would clarify that with the Chairman.

Mr. Liehr stated that if it is confirmed as correct, he would have no objection to the appointment. Mr. Sirois advised that he would be certain to look into this and communicate the findings. Motion carried with a voice vote.

 Openings:

Mr. Wheeler read each of the available openings to the committee members.

 One Opening on the Manteno No. 9 Drainage District

 One Opening on the Exline Creek Drainage District

 Two Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission

 One opening on the Kankakee County Historic Preservation Commission (Architect)

13. New Business

Mr. Byrne stated that he would like to see the home cupcake law revisited.

Mr. Sirois advised that the request would be noted for the December Executive Committee meeting.

14. Old Business

None

15. Other Business

 Energy Aggregation Program Information

Mr. Sirois advised that this is a negotiated cost for energy throughout the county, this is informational only.

16. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 a.m., and Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/executive_112619.pdf