Chambana Sun

Champaign County Committee of the Whole Finance met May 10

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MINUTES – Approved as Distributed on June 14, 2022

Members Present: Samantha Carter, Lorraine Cowart, Stephanie Fortado, Jim Goss, Mary King, Jenny Lokshin, Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Brad Passalacqua, Jacob Paul, Emily Rodriguez, Chris Stohr, Jennifer Straub, Leah Taylor, Eric Thorsland, Bethany Vanichtheeranont, Wayne Williams, Kyle Patterson

Members Absent: Aaron Esry, Stan Harper, Steve Summers, Jodi Wolken

Others Present: Darlene Kloeppel (County Executive), Tami Ogden (Director of Finance), George Danos (Auditor), DeShawn Williams (Chief Deputy Treasurer), Susan McGrath (Circuit Clerk), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary)

Agenda Items

I. Call to Order

Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present.

III. Approval of Agenda/Addenda

MOTION by Ms. Straub to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Ms. King requested to make a friendly amendment to the motion. Ms. Straub and Ms. Taylor allowed the friendly amendment to move item VIII. A. 2. a to the end of the appointments after item i. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. April 12, 2022 – Regular Meeting

MOTION by Ms. Lokshin to approve the minutes of April 12, 2022; seconded by Ms. Carter. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation

Mike Melton, Sangamon Valley Public Water District Board member, spoke in support of the appointment of Mike Larson. He doesn’t believe there is a more qualified person to assist with getting clean water to homes affected by the gas leak.

Bud Parkhill, customer of Sangamon Valley Public Water District Board and former board member, spoke in support of the appointment of Mike Larson. He believes Mr. Larson is an excellent member who is very knowledgeable in this area.

Matthew Broga, Sangamon Valley Public Water District employee, he is here speaking on behalf of the operations department about the current work environment that he attributes to Mike Larson. He requested for the County Board to think long and hard before appointing Mr. Larson to the water district.

Marc Sellers, Sangamon Valley Public Water District employee, explained if the County Board wants to do what is best for the Sangamon Valley Public Water District, they will not recommend the appointment of Mike Larson.

Kerry Gifford, General Manager of Sangamon Valley Public Water District, spoke about the composition of the water district board and things Mike Larson has done recently in regard to the water district. He requested that the County Board does not reappoint Mr. Larson.

Meghan Hennesy, Chairman of the Sangamon Valley Public Water District Board, stated she believes her board is struggling to keep their priorities in line with what the community needs. She said these struggles are affecting the employees and the community’s access to clean water. She would like to see someone who’s priorities align with the community’s be appointed to this position.

VI. Communications

Mr. Patterson recognized the passing of Timothy Johnson and his 75 years of public service.

Mr. Stohr stated that Sheriff Heuerman will not be available for the study session on May 24th, and he would like to postpone that meeting.

Mr. Paul mentioned the case of John Wall from Baltimore who is serving 25 years to life in jail for the possession of cannabis due to federal laws in a state where it is legal. He is mentioning this as a warning to the county about comingling state cannabis money.

Ms. Straub shared a message from Jenny Putman who wanted the County Board to know she is very proud to serve the well-oiled machine that is the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District.

VII. Justice and Social Services

A. Monthly Reports – All reports are available on each department’s webpage through the department reports page

• Probation & Court Services – March 2022 & 1st Quarter Report

• Animal Control – April 2022

• Emergency Management Agency – February & March 2022

• Public Defender – February, March & April 2022

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – March 2022

Information only

C. Other Business

Mr. McGuire asked the Board to come up with a plan to support the Sheriff’s staff and when they could work on that plan. Mr. Patterson listed items the Board has already done for the Sheriff’s staff. Mr. McGuire stated he does not believe their current actions are working to retain staff. Ms. Fortado mentioned the workforce study that is currently being done to address employee retention throughout the county, the satellite jail expansion plan, the Sheriff’s plan to move more inmates and the bonus’ given this year as the different steps that have been taken to address the current issues.

D. Chair’s Report

None

E. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

None

VIII. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – April 2022

Received and placed on file

2. Appointments/Reappointments (italics indicates incumbent)

a. Resolution appointing Mike Larson to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District, term 6/1/2022-5/31/2027

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Mike Larson to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District; seconded by Mr. Goss. County Board members had an in-depth conversation regarding the issues of the water district and its board, the actions of Mr. Larson and if this reappointment is in the best interest of the community members. Mr. Stohr read a statement of his own observations and a letter from Lindsey Wallen the Assistant General Manager of the water district. A member of the public requested to speak to the Board.

MOTION by Ms. Lokshin to suspend the rules to allow a member of the public to speak; seconded by Ms. Rodriguez. Mr. Goss requested a roll call vote. Upon roll call, the MOTION to suspend the rules CARRIED.

Yea: 14 – King, Lokshin, Paul, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Patterson

Nay: 4 – McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Goss

Rebecca Richardson, customer of the Sangamon Valley Public Water District and applicant for appointment, spoke of her concerns about conflicts and disagreements happening on the water district board. She asked the Board to look at the whole picture when making this appointment.

Mr. Goss requested a roll call vote for the motion to appoint Mike Larson. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION FAILED.

Yea: 5 – McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Goss

Nay: 13 – King, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Patterson

b. Resolution appointing Cody Rose to the Penfield Public Water District, term ending 5/31/2024

c. Resolution appointing Jennifer Putman to the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District, term 6/1/2022-5/31/2025

f. Resolution appointing Anne Robin to the Developmental Disabilities Board, term 7/1/2022- 6/30/2025

g. Resolution appointing Vicki Niswander to the Developmental Disabilities Board, term 7/1/2022- 6/30/2025

h. Resolution appointing Molly McLay to the Mental Health Board, term ending 12/31/2025

i. Resolution appointing Kevin Harden to the Tolono Fire Protection District, term ending 4/30/2025

OMNINUS MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of resolutions approving the appointments in agenda items b-i; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Mr. Goss requested to make a friendly amendment to the motion by removing items d & e from the omnibus motion. Ms. Straub and Ms. Lokshin agreed to the friendly amendment to their motion. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

d. Resolution appointing Chris Diana (R) to the Board of Review, term 6/1/2022-5/31/2024

e. Resolution appointing Susan Frobish (D) to the Board of Review, term 6/1/2022-5/31/2024

OMNIBUS MOTION by Mr. Williams to recommend County Board approval of resolutions appointing Chris Diana and Susan Frobish to the Board of Review; seconded by Mr. Paul. Mr. Goss asked if either of these applicants have completed the required Certified Illinois Assessing Officer Training. Mr. Williams stated this training is not a requirement and believes these two members have served admirably in their positions. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

j. Currently vacant appointments – full list and information is available on the County’s website Information only

k. Applications for open appointments

Information only

B. County Clerk

1. Monthly Report – April 2022

Received and placed on file

C. Other Business

None

D. Chair’s Report

None

E. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

VIII. A. 2. b-c, f-i

IX. Finance

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Transfer BUA 2022/4/263

Fund 2840 ARPA / Dept 075 General County

Amount: $9,043

Reason: Final costs for ARPA premium pay came in slightly higher than anticipated. A budget transfer is requested from non-personnel to personnel appropriation within the ARPA fund to cover the additional cost.

MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget transfer BUA 2022/4/263; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment BUA 2022/4/269

Fund 2085 County Motor Fuel Tax / Dept 060 Highway

Increased Appropriations: $250,000

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: Budget amendment to re-encumber funds appropriated in FY2021 for bridge projects on County Road 1.

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment BUA 2022/4/269; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Budget Amendment BUA 2022/4/349

Fund 2613 Court’s Automation Fund / Dept 030 Circuit Clerk

Increased Appropriations: $28,622.78

Increased Revenue: $28,622.78

Reason: Appropriation required to increase the spending authority to expend grant money awarded from the Illinois Supreme Court.

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment BUA 2022/4/349; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

B. Treasurer

1. Resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificate of purchase, permanent parcel 04-006-0129

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificate of purchase; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Resolution authorizing the cancellation of the appropriate certificate of purchase on a mobile home, permanent parcel 20-032-0045

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the cancellation of the appropriate certificate of purchase on a mobile home; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

Mr. Goss asked the Chief Deputy Treasurer about the information he had requested for the Mahomet TIF District. Mr. Williams stated he is working with Devnet to get access to that information. Mr. Goss also asked why the tax bill was not mailed in time to give taxpayers 30 days’ notice, the information for exemptions was removed, and the Clerk’s vote by mail application was included in the mailing. Mr. Williams explained there was a supply chain shortage that affected the mailing of the bills and asked Mr. Goss to speak with the Treasurer directly about the inclusion of the vote by mail applications.

C. Auditor

1. Monthly Report – March 2022 – Reports are available on the Auditor’s webpage Received and placed on file

2. 457(b) retirement plan consultant

Information only – Ms. Michaels suggested allowing the Labor/Management Health Insurance Committee to assist in the selection process. Mr. Williams and Mr. Danos discussed the goals and concerns of this RFQ.

D. County Executive

1. FY2023 County Budget Process

Information only

2. Resolution adopting the Champaign County Financial Policies

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution adopting the Champaign County Financial Policies; seconded by Mr. Passalacqua Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Resolution approving a revision to the Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Urbana and Champaign County

MOTION by Ms. Carter to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving a revision to the Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Urbana and Champaign County; seconded by Mr. Goss. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

4. Resolution to supersede Resolution No. 2021-310 for establishing the salary for the Champaign County Sheriff

MOTION by Mr. Passalacqua to recommend County Board approval of a resolution to supersede Resolution No. 2021-310 for establishing the salary for the Champaign County Sheriff; seconded by Ms. Vanichtheeranont. Board members clarified that this change is being driven by state legislation to receive reimbursement for the Sheriff’s salary. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

E. County Board

1. Resolution establishing salaries of countywide elected officials

MOTION by Ms. Carter to recommend County Board approval of a resolution establishing salaries of countywide officials; seconded by Ms. Straub. Board members discussed changes they would like to make to this resolution. After discussing several changes, they voted on the motion knowing they could discuss the final version on the County Board agenda. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

2. Reimburse County Board member Wayne Williams for travel expenses

MOTION by Mr. Stohr to recommend County Board approval of a resolution reimbursing Wayne Williams for travel expenses; seconded by Ms. Vanichtheeranont. Mr. Stohr requested to make a friendly amendment to his original motion. Mr. Williams has requested reimbursement for one half of his costs, but Mr. Stohr would like to amend that request to fully compensate Mr. Williams. Ms. Vanichtheeranont agreed to the friendly amendment. Discussion continued regarding the budget for County Board travel expenses. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

F. Other Business

None

G. Chair’s Report

None

H. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

IX. A. 1-3, B. 1-2, D. 2-4

X. Other Business

A. Upcoming Justice & Social Services Study Session – May 24th @ 6:00 p.m. Meeting cancelled

XI. Adjournment

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2022/220510_Meeting/220510Minutes.pdf