Rock Island Budget Committee met Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Here are the minutes as provided by Rock Island:
Rock Island County 1504 Third Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 558-3605 Budget Committee Minutes Tuesday, November 22, 2016 5:00 p.m. The Budget Committee of the Rock Island County Board met at the above date and time in the County Board Chambers on the third floor of the County Building, 1504 Third Ave, Rock Island, IL. Chair Richard Brunk called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
Minutes as follows:
1) Call to order and roll call Committee members present: Richard Brunk, Nick Camlin, Don Johnston, Mia Mayberry, Ginny Shelton Committee members absent: Rod Simmer, Kai Swanson
2) Consider minutes from the November 16, 2016 meeting Motion to approve: Mia Mayberry 2nd: Don Johnston Voice vote Motion carried
3) Public Comments There were no public comments.
4) Consider FY17 budget
Mr. Ross explained that based on the meeting last week, staff went ahead and put together new budget books. They are online and have been emailed to everyone. He has three hard copies left. Mr. Ross noted that he’d like to summarize the changes that were made between the last meeting and this one. Before that, though, at the last meeting he thanked employees, staff, and unions for all their sacrifices but he didn’t specifically mention – and should have – the County Board members. The Board members have been in this just as much and have cut and sacrificed as well. They have voluntarily given up health care and retirement benefits. He wanted to make sure that was mentioned here. Combining that with the committee consolidation and those costs are a $100,000 savings annually to the county and taxpayers. Mr. Ross thanked the County Board. As far as other changes, Mr. Ross explained that he added $28,500 to the Liability Insurance Fund; 127-25-61 631.00 is the specific line to cover costs associated with the Risk Management Plan. Even though he put it in there, they don’t have to spend it. He will get approval from the Litigation Committee prior to engaging the company. This is for a company to help with documenting, tracking, and training for general liability, law enforcement liability, public management liability, employment practices liability, and automotive liability. The county recently received a quote for insurance services because the county is self-insured. Essentially, the county is not insured – they take care of it themselves. The common term is self-insured. There is a lot of risk involved when you do that. There are benefits as well. Mr. Ross wanted to know whether it would be cost effective to be insured through a company. Without any doubt in his mind, the answer is “no” today. It was going to cost a little over $400,000 a year to get a $500,000 worth of coverage. In no small part, that is because the county does not have good, quality record keeping for several years in the area of claims it has paid out. Record keeping prior to a couple years ago was pretty spotty. They are doing that very thoroughly now. One service this company can offer is to make sure the county is not only tracking everything exactly like insurance companies want, but they will be attending monthly meetings and safety meetings and helping with training in risk management and reducing liability to the county. That’s just added to the budget. He will not do it until the Litigation Committee gives the okay. That is a change. Mr. Ross noted that he increased the Liability Insurance Fund reserve to $4.4 million at the end of the year next year. That is to cover, and is completely in compliance with what Illinois law allows, to cover the reserve for liability expenses he believes the county already has. That will be coming in the next couple of years. Mr. Ross revised the Equalized Assessed Value estimate. That changed slightly the revenue that will be coming to the General Fund and Hope Creek. He met with the Chief Assessment Official, Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Ross has the EAV in the county and the net for tax extension after the freezes, homesteads, and TIF deductions. That is the original number Mr. Wilson put out to everybody. Mr. Ross had asked him if there were any omitted properties still out there, new construction or construction in progress, that will go on the tax rolls that isn’t there yet. He said yes. There are a few new things that have come out. One is Elliott Aviation which is currently not there and will be. They did not file an appeal. That is going onto the tax rolls. There’s $1.744 million in new construction or construction in progress. Mr. Ross took the net for the tax extension, took off 0.75%. That is a typical Board of Review reduction of all appeals they hear. If it’s not that, it’s the average. He added in new and omitted and came up with a final number of $2,462,255,496. Using that number slightly changed the revenues to the General Fund. That increased by about $10,000. All capital projects in the General Fund for FY17 and FY18 are pushed to FY19. Mr. Ross noted that he wants to say it’s a Capital Improvement Plan, but it’s kind of a wishlist at this point for the General Fund more than a Capital Improvement Plan. These are definite capital needs the county has. They don’t go away on their own. The county needs a funding source to accomplish them. Total additional cuts from the multiple offices within the General Fund as discussed last week are $1,473,668. Mr. Ross explained that these changes should allow the county to get through FY17, but it will be dicey. They have made additional cuts. They will do everything they can to get through FY17. However, they will be borrowing probably all year long, if not most of the year. They will be having quarterly Budget Committee meetings to very carefully analyze where they are every quarter in the year. Mr. Brunk noted that each committee member has the resolutions and ordinances in their paper work and opened the floor up to questions. Mr. Johnston asked if the increase in the levy itself is about 3.1%. Mr. Ross asked if he meant in the EAV net. Mr. Johnston said no, in the dollar value. Mr. Ross said he didn’t add it up. Mr. Johnston said it’s 3.1%. Mr. Ross said he trusts him. It’s 0% for the rate, so yes, it would be. Mr. Brunk urged the committee to forward this budget plan to the full Board. Motion to approve: Ginny Shelton 2nd: Nick Camlin, Don Johnston Voice vote Motion carried
5) Consider FY17-FY21 Capital Improvement Plan Item 5 was discussed and approved as part of Item 4.
6) Closed session as per 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (11) – Litigation: when an action against, affecting, or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent The committee did not enter into closed session.
7) Committee member opportunity for brief comments (no action can or will be taken based on any comments from committee members but the matter might be placed on a future agenda for consideration) Mr. Ross noted that one thing the Board discussed with last year’s budget is the FICA and IMRF funds. Those were one-time increases. FICA this year, he thinks they reduced it by 35% from last year and IMRF they reduced over 50% from last year. Everything they said is true. They have reserves in those funds and don’t need to borrow in them and are lowering those specific levies this year. He wanted to make sure that was clarified.
8) Adjourn Meeting adjourned by Chair Richard Brunk at 5:11 p.m.
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