Rock Island Today

Rock Island County Budget Committee met Sept. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: K. Swanson, L. Burns, S. Noyd, D. Beck. R. Brunk J. Deppe, R. Simmer

Others present: E. Hughes, N. Ludwig, G. Bustos, K. Fisher, M. Durbin, L. Ewert, R. Bernard, P. Castro, A. Palmer, J. Snider , D. Villarreal,

Chairman L. Moreno made a call for public comments. There were no requests for public comment at this time.

The minutes were approved with motion by K. Swanson seconded by L. Burns A roll call vote was taken; S. Noyd, L. Burns, J. Deppe, K. Swanson, R. Simmer, R. Brunk, D. Beck-- YES

Motion carried

County Administrator, J. Snider discussed a significant FY 21 general fund shortfall due to lack of reserves. He stated that the situation is dire due to the economic pandemic because of lack of general fund reserves or capital budget to apply to a temporary shortfall. He stated several communities in the area have reserves of up to 30 percent. Shortfall is sitting at 4.3 million. He stated Trent Vandersnick with Court services; the state increased reimbursement for probation officers salaries in that department by $221,766 and that reduces the budget shortfall.

He stated it is a challenging thing analyzing, and overall, offices are generally understaffed and that has been the case looking at salary adjustments compared to other counties. There are not a lot of extra things to cut besides personnel cost.

Sheriff Bustos provided significant cuts to budget which is the largest part of the general fund. 634,000. Projected budget shortfall is only $600,000 less than last time and attributed it to many general fund salaries expensing a few years ago deferred to the liability fund to the risk management plan. Several employees 50% salaries paid by the liability fund. Cutting personnel and general fund benefit is only about 75%

Member D. Beck asked in reference to the 50% liability fund; is the liability fund impacted by the budget process.

J. Snider stated that budget shortfall would lower the liability fund levy theoretically in the next year. He stated Congress has been debating some type of relief bill for cities and counties but not under current administration. He stated that cities and counties have to pass a balanced budget, and there is no deficit budget option or borrowing available.

Sheriff G. Bustos asked if the shortfall being 3.7 million trim the general fund budget in salaries, He asked if 15% equals 3.7 million.

J. Snider stated it is close but not enough to satisfy the 3.7 million-budget shortfall. There is also a vcost of living increase for AFSCME employees that is a significant amount. Mr. Snider stated he is still working with the auditors’ office on what will be available in pre cash reserve. He stated he is looking for guidance from the budget committee to review different scenarios.

The health department budget is in the packet and the Mr. Snider will be meeting with the Public Building Commission to redo the property tax levy.

State’s Attorney D. Villarreal stated it had not been decided if the deficit will be divided proportionally per departments.

Chairman Moreno stated all options would be looked at.

Mr. Snider stated many departments are isolated from other departments and supported by fees. There is a problem within the general fund. The County Clerk’s office, GIS etc. are not supported by any type of personnel cuts. Those that are will see significant cuts.

Sheriff Bustos stated in Mr. Snider’s memo obligations sheriff has to provide to the community and general public, but as moving forward; he made it clear if the budget is reduced, you can’t negotiate collective bargaining units for layoffs without the elected officials. He stated, if the sheriff’s budget is reduced by 1 mil, its up to him where that reduction comes from; he also stated that is the office holder’s position.

Member D. Beck asked how many departments and budgetary units do we have and are they the same thing; headed by elected officials. Sheriff Bustos stated that the Sherriff’s Department is an elected office. All departments within Rock Island County report to the Administrator and the County Board Chairman.

Chairman L. Moreno stated that the County cannot pass a deficit budget. He stated that one person was cut under his supervision working with the Chairman, one employee in assessor, county administration and one in the assessor’s office and one in animal control. He emphasized the need for public safety sales tax otherwise, staffing departments will be a ‘brutal” issue and stated it’s “as bad as it gets. If we could legally file for bankruptcy, that would be the thing to do, but we can’t. The pandemic has caught us flatfooted economically and there is no other way out.”

The Health Department Budget was review by Administrator, N. Ludwig. The health department is not funded by the general fund. The health department is funded through a few grants and there are fees for certain services. The Board of Health was presented with the Health Department Budget in their September 3rd meeting and was approved. There is a significant increase due to the pandemic and all that money is mostly operational expenses due to contact tracing for COVID-19. There are over 2500 cases of COVID-19 along with close contact of those cases.

The department hired 12 independent contract contact tracers and the grant will end May 31st.

State’s Attorney D. Villarreal asked Ms. Ludwig about the warning stage and if the levels increase if the County will be placed into mitigation.

Ms. Ludwig stated that is determined at the end of the day. Rock Island County will remain orange; but depends on region as a whole. Region extends from RICO to McLean 23 county region that makes determination from the office of the Governor.

Member S. Noyd asked if many cases are through the correctional center; she stated vast majority are community spread and households; family gatherings. Sheriff Bustos stated that even though the correctional center all employees leave and go into the community and into their homes which can contribute to spread.

Mr. Snider stated that he is looking for guidance; if there is not an objection he’d like to hone down the FY21 budget. He stated he’d like to work with depts. GF what those might be; putting those numbers together and narrowing down what percentage personnel cuts need to be made. He asked for a consensus from the committee.

Member Noyd stated that the Administrator will need authority to do what needs to be done to balance the budget.

Ms. Ewert asked what was meant by work reductions, as in four day work weeks or what is needed in that respect. Chairman L. Moreno stated nothing specific, and to explore the options. Ms. Ewert stated the public does not realize the situation because they vote down the public safety sales tax.

Member R. Simmer stated that the pamphlets from the treasures’ office where the monies are displayed are in his chiropractic office; from the levees because there is only about “3 percent” and that the public is not understanding the school and city taxes.

Member D. Beck asked if there is a way to present an alternate budget.

Chairman Moreno stated that “we have to pass a balanced budget. If additional money becomes available, then the budget can be reassessed.”

There was a general consensus among the committee. Mr. Snider stated that perhaps within a week, he can look at the numbers and plan on meeting in the next few weeks.

The next meeting of the budget committee was set for Thursday Sept 24th, at 8:30 AM. The committee adjourned at 9:41 AM.

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