INVOCATION: Mike Hildebrand, Board Member
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Kankakee County Board Meeting March 11, 2014 AGENDA INVOCATION: Mike Hildebrand, Board Member PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: Bruce Clark PUBLIC COMMENTARY COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTATIONS • March is Proclaimed as the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health Month • Presentation on Current County Financial Condition VACANCY APPOINTMENT CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION Cheri L. Jones 10 Years Sheriffs Department Linda K. McKay 10 Years Health Department Raymond A. Fairfield 10 Years Maintenance Department Roger B. Diercks 10 Years GIS Manager Deborah E. Woodruff 10 Years Auditor Robert L. LaLuna 20 Years Highway Department MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: February 11, 2014 CLAIMS COMMITTEE REPORT: January Claims DEPARTMENT REPORTS: 1. County Collector's Monthly Report for January, 2014 2. County Treasurer's Monthly Report for January, 2014 3. Coroner's Monthly Report for December, 2013 & January, 2014 4. Coroner's Monthly Receipt of Money for December, 2013 & January, 2014 5. Circuit Clerk's Monthly Report for December, 2013 & January, 2014 6. Recorder of Deeds Monthly Report for January, 2014 7. County Clerk's Monthly Report for January, 2014 8. Animal Control Monthly Report for January, 2014 9. Building and Zoning Monthly Report for February, 2014 10. Monthly Resolutions for February, 2014 COMMITTEE PRESENTATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: 1. Consent Agenda • Reappointment of David Tyson to the K3 County Board of Examiners & Appeals (21) • Resolution Approving the K3 County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2014-2019 (22) • Lewis Subdivision - Final Plat (23) Amendment to Solid Waste Ordinance (24) Page 1 Kankakee County Board Meeting March 11, 2014 2. Highway & Bridge Committee • Ordinance Regarding Modification of Agreement with River Run Subdivision (25) • Resolution Declaring Honorary Street Names for Six Segments of Highway Located in Pembroke Township (26) • Resolution Declaring Honorary Street Name of Golbin School Road in Pembroke Township (27) 3. Community Services Committee • Resolution Authorizing K3 County to Purchase Real Estate for a New Animal Control Facility (28) 4. Finance Committee • Amended - Combined Annual Budget & Appropriation Ordinance for Kankakee County, Illinois 2013-2014 Fiscal Year (29) OTHER BUSINESS INFORMATION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Page 2 L1 11 Kankakee County Board Meeting March 11, 2014 The meeting of the Kankakee County Board, Kankakee, Illinois, held March 11, 2014, pursuant to the adjourned meeting of September 10, 2013, was called to order at 9:00 am., by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Bossert. Mr. Hildebrand, County Board Member, delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The following members were present: Mr. Tripp, Mr. Washington, Jr., Mr. LaGesse, Mr. Stauffenberg, Mr. Vickery, Mr. Hess, Mr. Enz, Mr. Whitis, Mr. Tholen, Mrs. Polk, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Mulcahy, Mr. Skutt, Mr. Dodge, Mr. Flett, Mr. Snipes, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Sirois, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hildebrand, Mr. Howard, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Reid, Mrs. Webber, Mr. Einfeldt, Mr. Bossert Members Absent - Mr. James, Mr. Olthoff Quorum - Present Public Commentary Mr. James Wasser thanked the county board for the assistance they give the Veterans Assistance Commission. He invited the board to visit Veteran's Court on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in court room 204 and gave an explanation of how the court works. He stated the Veterans Assistance Commission, Michael Roof and Karen Smietanski have done a wonderful job. He thanked the county board for appointing him on the Blue Ribbon Commission and feels the county board has done a very good job. Mr. Ralph Paarlberg spoke regarding the landfill and the county willingness to accept Chicago garbage to be dumped here. He stated he is an active member, for about 20 years, on the Regional Planning Commission and wants to know why they have no say in this matter. Communications - None Presentations - A proclamation was read recognizing and congratulating the Helen Wheeler Center for 50 years of service to Kankakee County and proclaiming March as the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health month. Mr. Wheeler made the motion to adopt the proclamation with a second by Mr. Liehr. Motion carried by a voice vote. A presentation was given by Mr. McCarty regarding the county's current financial condition. He provided a history on the General Fund transactions and the financial situation of the county. Mr. McCarty stated that 2009 was the beginning of the economic downturn felt throughout the nation. This downturn created a $2.5 million decrease in revenue that year. In addition, on the expense side was a three year retro payment to one of the county's large union contracts. Mr. McCarty noted that the last large-scale budget cut was in late 2010 for FY 2011. The ending fund balance in 2009 was $3.9 million; FY 2013 had a deficit of$ 1.2 million. Tax anticipation warrants were, to date, $5.3 million. On February 28, 2014, the county borrowed $1 million from the Highway Department. The county also borrowed $6.3 million from outside sources and $2 million from inter-funds. He stated that expenses have to become level or below revenue or income. Mr. Bossert said the amended budget had been presented to the Finance Committee and had been distributed to the board. Mr. Wheeler spoke regarding health insurance, suggesting ways the county could save money. Mr. Stauffenberg replied that they did look at health insurance in the Finance Committee. He suggested in that committee they cancel all health insurance, and provide $3,000 to employees to procure their own health insurance, but that the unions were opposed. Mr. Snipes asked why the county did not foresee these expenditures. Mr. McCarty replied that the board needed to realize the pressures on the expense side regarding changes in union contracts, health insurance costs, utilities, etc. On average there were $500 thousand to $750 thousand in new expenditures every year. He added the county had identified new revenues of approximately $1.7 million, but also reminded the board of the sales tax issue. Mr. Reid asked if the county had received any assistance from our state representatives regarding the sales tax issue. Mr. Bossert replied that Chicago or the RTA's concerns seem to far exceed the problems occurring in Kankakee County and similar counties. He added that the word in Springfield was that the collar-county representatives are waiting for word as to which way to go on a vote when the issue arises. He also stated that many businesses have given up and closed operations and the board should assume that revenue would be gone. Mr. Stauffenberg thanked Mr. McCarty for doing an admirable job of providing information to finance committee and would vote for the revised budget. Mr. Byrne suggested the board give up their per diem. Mr. Bossert replied the county could save $25 thousand to $30 thousand per year by reducing per diem by reorganizing and reducing committees. He also stated the board could discuss voluntarily forgoing their per diem pay. Mr. Howard asked if the board had considered reducing the number of board members. Mr. Bossert replied that could not happen until redistricting in 2021. Mr. LaGesse suggested eliminating all county vehicles except for patrol and eliminating mileage, looking at cutting all salaries and not offering pay increases on new union contracts. Mr. Whitis stated the board needed to pass the budget but suggested a meeting of a Committee of the Whole to bring all suggestions for discussion and possible action with an established deadline for action. Mr. McConnell, Mr. Dodge and Mr. Skutt agreed with Mr. Whitis. Mr. Reid asked if the county can make the auditor's position a non-elected office. Mr. Bossert replied it would require a referendum by the citizens to abolish the position as an elected office. Mr. Liehr stated if committees were combined the meeting length would increase, suggesting the committees remain the same but allow board members to voluntarily decline their per diem. Mr. Stauffenberg agreed with Messrs. Whitis and LaGesse and suggested figures be provided at the next Finance Committee regarding actual costs. Mr. Enz agreed with Mr. Stauffenberg, stating that the board needed to have all the figures. He also stated he did not agree with the amended budget. Mr. Sirois thanked Mr. McCarty for preparing the financial information presented and asked what the county was mandated to fund and not mandated to fund. Mr. LaGesse stated that the county was not home-rule and finding revenue is not an easy task. Mr. Snipes commented that the county shouldn't touch the Finance Department. He also suggested exploring a four-day work week and increasing the sales tax from 6.25% to 6.5%. Mr. Washington, Jr. stated that he had never seen the county's expenses on a sliding scale go to a point they were at now. He also stated that the county has employees making $70 to $100 thousand annually, but cannot reduce those salaries because of contracts. Vacancy Appointment - None Certificates of Recognition 10 years: Cheri L. Jones Sheriff's Department Linda K. McKay Health Department Raymond A. Fairfield Maintenance Department Roger B. Diercks GIS Manager Deborah E. Woodruff Auditor 20 years: Robert L. LaLuna Highway Department Minutes of the Last Meeting The minutes of the February 11, 2014, county board meeting were submitted to the county board. The reading of the minutes was waived. Mr. Whitis made the motion to accept the minutes from February 11, 2014, with a second by Mr. Washington, Jr. Motion carried by a voice vote. Claims Committee Report A motion to approve the claims reports from January 2014 was made by Mr. Enz and seconded by Mr. Dodge. A roll call vote was taken with the motion passing 25 ayes to 0 nays. Motion carried. Department Reports The department reports were read and accepted on the motion of Mr.