Chambana Sun

Vermilion County Board Finance & Personnel Committee met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Agenda Item 1 - Call to Order and Roll Call

Committee Chairman Steve Fourez called the Finance & Personnel meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Upon the call of the roll, the following members were present; Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Brean- nah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. Adam Hart were absent and excused. Also, in attendance; Larry Baughn - County Board Chairman, Darren Duncan – Vermilion County Treasurer, Doug Toole – Health Department Administrator, Bill Donahue -Risk Consultant, Erika Briggs- Finance Director, Bill Wright – Vermilion County Auditor, Judge O’Shaughnessy, and Jacqueline Lacy – Vermilion County State’s Attorney.

Agenda Item 2 - Adoption/Amendments to the Agenda

Mr. Stark motioned, second by Bieritz to approve the agenda. Motion passed by acclamation.

Agenda Item 3 - Approval of Minutes – July 1st, 2019

Mrs. Stark motioned, second by Mr. Stark to approve the minutes. Motion passed by acclamation.

Agenda Item 4 - Audience Comments

Doug Toole told the committee that he contacted the grantors for the health department and Vermilion County would go on a stop payment after August 30tht,2019 if the 2018 audit is not completed by then. He discussed his concerns with the committee in regards to his department’s payroll and overall opera- tions. Chairman Baughn commented that the payments would not automatically stop. The grantors can- not allow for any more extensions at this time and would not make any decisions on payments until Au- gust 30th. Darren Duncan reminded the committee and Doug Toole that the Health Department has $1,000,000 in reserves in both funds.

Agenda Item 5 - Financial Update

Ms. Briggs distributed a finance update that consisted of the General Fund revenue and the Fund Equity Changes Report. The Fund Equity Changes Report was used because it shows the Beginning Fund Bal- ance of each fund along with Current Fund Balance.

Agenda Item 6 – Ordinance: Amendment to the Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordi- nance for the Coroner - $33,300

Bieritz moved, second by Mrs. Stark, to discuss.

The hail storm damaged the current vehicle and it was totaled. The coroner would like to purchase a large enough vehicle that can transport decedents to autopsies. This will be purchased from the amount of the totaled vehicle ($6,400), the grant the coroner receives ($10,000), and the automation fund ($35,100) for a total of $51,500 for the new vehicle.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 7 – Ordinance: Amendment to the Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordi- nance for the Regional Office of Education - $9,260

Bieritz moved, second by Mr. Stark, to discuss.

The Regional Office of Education has additional state funds which the Superintendent, Cheryl Reifsteck, would like to disburse among her employees. This would be a one-time stipend and the funds would cover FICA and IMRF.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 8 – Ordinance: Amendment to the Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordi- nance for the Court Administration - $100,000

Mr. Stark moved, second by Mrs. Stark, to discuss.

The Court Administration is requesting additional funds for contractual/legal fees. This line is used to pay fees associated with appointed defense counsel. The number of appointments exceeded that which was anticipated for the fiscal year. Judge O’Shaughnessy was present to answer questions from committee members.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 9 – Ordinance: Amendment to the Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordi- nance for the State’s Attorney – Line Item Transfer -$7,459.76

Mr. Stark moved, second by Bieritz, to discuss.

The State’s Attorney’s office is requesting to transfer $7,459.76 from Books and Periodicals to Case Ex- pense to help cover the remainder of 2019 case expenses. Jacqueline Lacy, Vermilion County State’s At- torney, was present to answer any questions from committee members.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 10 – Ordinance: Amendment to the Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordi- nance for the Public Defender and State’s Attorney -$1,347 & $1,496

Boyd moved, second by Mr. Stark, to discuss.

The State’s Attorney salary has changed effective July 1, 2019 to $173,744.77 and therefore an increase is needed this fiscal year for July – November. The County has also elected to participate in the Public Re- imbursement program which requires the salary for that position to be set at a given level based upon the State’s Attorney. The budget also needed amended for this increase as well.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 11 – Resolution: Salary Schedule – Public Defender

Mrs. Stark moved, second by Haton, to discuss.

The State’s Attorney salary has changed effective July 1, 2019 to $173,744.77. The County has also elected to participate in the Public Reimbursement program which requires the salary for that position to be set at a given level based upon the State’s Attorney. To receive reimbursement, the salary changed must be approved by the County Board. With this approval, the Treasurer is also authorized to execute any documents needed to receive reimbursement.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 12 – Treasurer 2019-2020 Budget

Mrs. Stark moved, second by Haton, to discuss.

The Vermilion County Treasurer was present to present his budget and answer any questions. The only change in the Treasurer’s budget is increase for postage and the negotiated increase for personnel. Board members voiced their concerns on the placement of the increase in the 2019-2020 budget for the personnel and discussion ensued.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, and Breannah Haton. 4 yes, 2 no, 1 absent

Agenda Item 13 – Auditor 2019-2020 Budget

Mrs. Stark moved, second by Haton, to discuss.

The Vermilion County Auditor was present to present his budget and answer any questions. It was noted the Auditor’s office is a nonunion office.

Upon the call of the roll the following members voted yes, to wit: Steve Fourez, Wes Bieritz, Robert Boyd, Breannah Haton, Becky Stark, and Bruce Stark. 6 yes, 1 absent

Agenda Item 14 – Executive Session

None

Agenda Item 15 - Items of Information

Chairman Baughn told the committee the board office is working on the 2019-2020 budget and union negotiations will begin soon. The county will be changing insurance companies from Aetna to Health Alli- ance and going from self-insured to fully insured. Health Alliance provided a great savings to the county along with better coverage to the employee. Some of the savings was passed along to the employees as well. Health Alliance capped a renewal for next year at 5%. Chairman Baughn also told the committee that the EMA pull barn on Georgetown Road had over $100,000 of hail damage and the board office was in the process of forming an Infrastructure Committee. Due to Labor Day, the next Finance & Personnel Meeting will be September 9th.

Agenda Item 16 – Adjournment

Chairman Fourez adjourned the meeting at 6:08 PM.

https://countyboard.vercounty.org/meeting%20minutes/Finance%20Personnel%20Minutes_08_05_19.pdf