Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Finance Committee met Jan. 30.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Miller, Ms. Parker, Mr. Dunnill and Ms. Zuccollo

Members Absent

Mr. Zenz, Mr. Byrne and Mr. Wheeler

In Attendance

· Board Members

Mr. Sirois, Mr. Smith and Mr. Long

Department Heads

Erich Blair, Anita Speckman, Nick Africano, Steve McCarty, Mike Downey, Sandi Cianci, Ben Wilson, Nancy Nicholson, Lori Gadbois, Delbert Skimmerhorn 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

None

3. Presentation

None

4. Approval of Minutes: December 19, 2019

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

5. Finance Department – Steve McCarty

• Miscellaneous Financial Reports & Discussion

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

Mr. McCarty stated that he continues to watch the tax trends. It is suspect that the difference is between online sales versus brick & mortar.

There were no other questions from the committee.

• Cash Flow Update

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

Mr. McCarty stated that there is a close eye being kept on May 2020, Mr. Africano stated that he would be here to help if needed. Mr. McCarty stated that May is a three payroll month, so it’s something to keep an eye on.

Mr. McCarty stated that when looking ahead into November of 2020, you can see the positive trend continue.

This is all good news without having TAW’s and using the taxpayer’s money to pay interest on those TAW’s.

Mr. Sirois stated that this news is great news and thanked Mr. McCarty for his department’s efforts to stay in this positive trend. Mr. Sirois thanked the Sheriff’s department for doing their part in making this possible too.

• Property Tax Abatement for Tax Year 2019

Mr. McCarty reviewed the Property Tax Abatement with the committee.

There were no further questions or comments from the committee.

Mr. Hess made a motion to approve, and Mr. Swanson seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Miller, Ms. Parker, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo and Mr. Sirois

• Claims Recommended/Not Recommended for Approval

Mr. Liehr stated that there are 2 claims to be reviewed that were not recommended by the auditor.

Mr. Liehr explained that one was for an employee’s reimbursement for mileage and the other claim was for International fees for County business during international travel.

Mr. McCarty stated that the comments on the claim from the auditor stated that we are to use the shortest distance. Mr. McCarty stated that this is not written in any policy to use the shortest distance, this is not in any federal policy as well.

Mr. Hess made a motion to approve, and Mr. Swanson seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Miller, Ms. Parker, Mr. Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo and Mr. Sirois

Mr. McCarty stated that 2019 is being closed out and he will be presenting the figures at the next Finance Committee meeting.

6. Treasurer’s Office – Nick Africano

• County Treasurer’s Report – December 2019

• County Collector’s Report – December 2019

• Monthly Resolutions for February 2020

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

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

Mr. Africano stated that people are able to pay their taxes early, this allows people to separate the amounts on their taxes to relieve financial burden.

Lastly, Mr. Africano stated that he had met with Midland States Bank and they created a product to mirror Illinois Funds. They will track the rate and will lock in the rate for 30 days. This will keep the money local and shows their efforts in creating local relationships.

Mr. Kinzinger asked if Midland States Bank has the appropriate protection on that money, assuming we are talking about millions.

Mr. Africano explained the process of money being properly collateralized.

Mr. Kinzinger complimented Mr. Africano for his work in keeping our money local.

7. Sheriff’s Department – Sheriff Mike Downey

• Monthly Update

Sheriff Downey reviewed the monthly update with the committee.

Sheriff Downey explained to the committee that there are only so many beds and this number can only be maintained. The local population continues to increase, which affects how much money is spent and the revenue.

• Pay Rate Increase for Animal Control Staff

Sheriff requested that this be pulled off the agenda and moved to Community Services since they would need to be the committee to hear it first.

Sheriff stated that minimum wage increased to $9.25 and on July 1st minimum wage will increase to $10.00 per hour.

Mr. Africano thanked Animal Control for the books that they are keeping and it has never been better. It is much appreciated.

Mr. Hess made a motion to move to Community Services Committee, and Mr. Kinzinger seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

• Approval of Phone System Upgrade

Sheriff Downey stated that the phone system needs to be upgraded. Sheriff distributed quotes to the committee for review. At the last meeting, it was requested that multiple quotes be obtained.

Mr. Hess asked if these were quotes or put out for bid. Sheriff Downey stated that these are quotes.

Mr. Kinzinger asked if the original quote was contacted to advise them that there were additional quotes being obtained.

Sheriff Downey stated that they were not.

Nancy Nicholson advised that the committee would be accepting the lowest, qualified bidder.

Sheriff Downey stated that we may want to consider staying with the same vendor across the county.

Mr. Duval stated that it is his recommendation to have the same vendor.

Mr. Hess made the motion to approve the lowest, qualified bidder and Mr. Kinzinger seconded it.

Mr. Sirois stated that he agrees that it is best to stay with the same vendor. Mr. Sirois added that he has witnessed the phone system issue firsthand at the Sheriff’s department.

Ms. Webber stated that the other bids were obtained after the original quote was discussed in public. That is something to be considered.

Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Miller, Ms. Parker, Mr.

Dunnill, Ms. Zuccollo and Mr. Sirois

Sheriff Downey stated that he was notified that the Sheriff’s Department will pick up IDOC inmates that need to be deported. The IDOC will now be releasing these individuals directly from IDOC into their communities.

8. Auditor’s Office – Jake Lee

· Monthly Claims

Mr. Lee reviewed and discussed the claims with claims with the committee.

Ms. Webber questioned the report and that the auditor doesn’t support the contents of the report.

Mr. Lee stated that the Finance Department enters the claims; the only thing he generates is the graphical representations of the transactional data and annotations that he includes in the report.

Mr. Sirois stated that it should be noted that the finance department should not be responsible for entering the claims, that duty was given to the auditor on December 1st and 61 days later, the auditor is refusing to enter the claims.

Mr. Sirois made a motion to not accept the auditor’s report, and Mr. Kinzinger seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Ms. Zuccollo asked for clarification in the report where the auditor states there were items shipped to someone’s home.

Mr. Lee stated he questioned that county property should be returned to the county.

Ms. Zuccollo inquired on the other counties that have a lobbyist and their procedures in providing a breakdown.

Do other counties get detailed reports?

Mr. Lee stated that he hasn’t asked what other counties do in regards to detailed reports.

Mr. Sirois stated that the intersection for CSL that was urgently completed and that was done by the lobbyist and helped in getting that project done timely.

Mr. Liehr included that the upgrades on Armour Rd will be included in the capital bill which will improve the safety in that area.

Mr. Dunnill made a motion to pay the claims, and Mr. Payton seconded it.

Motion carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Zenz, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Miller and Mr. Wheeler

10. Other Business

None

11. Old Business/New Business

None

12. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 a.m., and Ms. Zuccollo seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote. Meeting Adjourned

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/finance_130201.pdf