Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board Committee of the Whole met Sept. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Members Present: Samantha Carter, Lorraine Cowart, Aaron Esry, John Farney, Stephanie Fortado, Jim Goss, Elly Hanauer-Friedman, Mike Ingram, Jennifer Locke, Jenny Lokshin, Diane Michaels, Kyle Patterson, Brett Peugh, Emily Rodriguez, Jilmala Rogers, Tom ‘Ed’ Sexton, Jennifer Straub, Leah Taylor, Eric Thorsland, Bethany Vanichtheeranont and Jeff Wilson 

Members Absent: Chris Stohr 

Others Present: Steve Summers (County Executive), Michelle Jett (Director of Administration), Matt Banach (Assistant State’s Attorney), M.C. Neal (Chief Information Officer), John Malachowski (Gallagher Representative), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary) 

Agenda Items 

I. Call to Order 

Mr. Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.

II. Roll Call 

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

III. Approval of Agenda/Addenda 

MOTION by Mr. Esry to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes 

A. August 15, 2023 – Regular Meeting

MOTION by Ms. Straub to approve the minutes of August 15, 2023; seconded by Ms. Locke. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation 

None

VI. Communications 

Mr. Peugh reminded everyone of the Electronic Recycling event on October 14th and urged everyone to sign up early for a spot as they go quickly.

Mr. Wilson attended the first Veterans’ Stand Down event in Champaign County that was funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. He mentioned that it was an emotional experience and thanked the Board for allocating funds for this event.

VII. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments 

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – June, July & August 2023

Received and placed on file – Mr. Wilson highlighted the multiple vacancies in Corrections and the Juvenile Detention Center.

2. Appointments/Reappointments (italics indicates incumbent) 

a. Resolution Appointing Brian Buss to the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District, term ending 4/30/2024

MOTION by Mr. Farney to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Brian Buss to the St. Joseph Stanton Fire Protection District; seconded by Mr. Sexton. Mr. Esry mentioned Mr. Buss’ significant qualifications. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

b. Resolution Appointing Randall Zindars to the Penfield Water District, term ending 5/31/2028

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Randall Zindars to the Penfield Water District; seconded by Ms. Rogers. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

c. Resolution Appointing John Ehmen to the Drainage District #10 Town of Ogden, term ending 8/31/2026

d. Resolution Appointing Lucas Rogers to the Nelson-Moore-Fairfield Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2026

e. Resolution Appointing John Leonard to the Sangamon & Drummer Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2026

f. Resolution Appointing Travis Fruhling to the St. Joseph #4 Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2026

g. Resolution Appointing Linda Lee Drozt to the Union Drainage District #3 of South Homer & Sidney, term ending 8/31/2026

h. Resolution Appointing Steven Herriott to the Wrisk Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2026

OMNIBUS MOTION by Mr. Goss to recommend County Board approval of resolutions appointing John Ehmen, Lucas Rogers, John Leonard, Travis Fruhling, Linda Lee Drozt and Steven Herriott to their respective drainage districts; seconded by Ms. Straub. Friendly amendment to the motion by Mr. Goss and accepted by Ms. Straub to correct the typographical error in the term ending date for Mr. Herriott from 8/3/2026 to 8/31/2026. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

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

Information only

j. Applications for open appointments

Information only

3. Job Content Evaluation Committee

a. Approval of the Creation of the Grant Coordinator Position in the Administrative Services Department, effective September 21, 2023

MOTION by Ms. Vanichtheeranont to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving the creation of the Grant Coordinator position in the Administrative Services Department; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Ms. Fortado clarified that this is just the formal process for creating this position, thanked the Executive’s Office for taking those steps and mentioned this position will be funded through the budgeting process. Board members continued to discuss the details of the job description. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

b. Approval of the Creation of the Resource Coordinator Position in the Animal Control Department, effective September 21, 2023

MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of resolution approving the creation of Resource Coordinator position in the Animal Control Department; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

c. Accountant, Auditor’s Office – No Recommended Changes

Information only

d. Senior Accountant, Auditor’s Office – No Recommended Changes

Information only

B. County Clerk

1. Monthly Fees Report – August 2023

Received and placed on file

C. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Closed Session Minutes Review

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation to open the minutes of February 6, 2008 and for all other closed session minutes to remain closed; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Chair’s Report 

Mr. Wilson expressed his appreciation to Ms. Jett and the Job Content Evaluation Committee for the work they did on the recommendations.

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

VII. A. 2. a-h, 3. a-b

VIII. Finance 

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Amendment BUA 2023/8/453

Fund 2075 Regional Planning Commission / Dept 100 Regional Planning Commission

Increased Appropriations: $362,050

Increased Revenue: $362,050

Reason: To receive funding for three new programs; Scattered Site Permanent Supportive Housing, Shelter Diversion and Rapid Rehousing to address homelessness in Illinois.

MOTION by Mr. Ingram to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving BUA 2023/8/453; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment BUA 2023/9/19

Fund 1080 General Corporate / Dept 041 State’s Attorney

Increased Appropriations: $15,015

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: Increase in appropriations required to pay for personnel expenses for departing employees in FY23.

MOTION by Mr. Farney to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving BUA 2023/9/19; seconded by Mr. Esry. Discussion followed with Mr. Banach regarding why this request is being made earlier in the year than typical.

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to postpone this item until the November Committee of the Whole meeting; seconded by Mr. Farney. Ms. Fortado mentioned that they must be cognizant to treat all elected officials equally. Upon vote, the MOTION to postpone CARRIED.

3. Budget Amendment BUA 2023/9/38

Fund 1080 General Corporate / Dept 040 Sheriff

Increased Appropriations: $110,132.84

Increased Revenue: $110,132.84

Reason: To appropriate grant funds received from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving BUA 2023/9/38; seconded by Ms. Locke. Mr. Esry thanked the Sheriff and his Chief Deputy for the detailed information regarding this grant and Ms. Jett reminded the Board Members they will need to give Administration some guidance on how they want to proceed with the Sheriff’s FY2024 budget. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

B. Treasurer

1. Monthly Report – June 2023 – Reports are available on the Treasurer’s webpage

Received and placed on file – Mr. Wilson mentioned the amount of money withheld from the various taxing bodies and did not see a provision for the Treasurer to be able to withhold funds. He just wants to ensure that our taxing bodies are receiving their funds on a timely basis.

C. Auditor

1. Monthly Report – July 2023 – Reports are available on the Auditor’s webpage

Received and placed on file

D. County Clerk

1. Approval of County Clerk Notary Fees

MOTION by Ms. Vanichtheeranont to recommend County Board approval of an ordinance approving County Clerk notary fees; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Discussion continued regarding wanting to keep free services, as such and others stated this is a very nominal fee. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED by a hand vote of 13-8.

E. County Executive

1. Approving award of contract to Terrazon Group for Fiber Optic Loop Cable Replacement, pursuant to RFP 2023-008

MOTION by Ms. Vanichtheeranont to recommend County Board approval of a resolution awarding contract to Terrazon Group for Fiber Optic Loop Cable Replacement; seconded by Ms. Carter. Mr. Neal gave more details on why this is required and clarified that moving to the Bennett Administrative Center does not change the need for this replacement. Lucas from GHR explained his conversation with the Terrazon Group and why he is comfortable that this company can handle the project within their bid proposal cost. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Resolution approving employee health insurance and related benefit plans for FY2024

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving employee health insurance and related benefit plans for FY2024; seconded by Ms. Carter. Mr. Malachowski explained how successful they have been with negotiating down the costs in the past, but they are no longer able to get a lower rate due to the loses incurred by our group. He also mentioned three other companies declined to provide a quote for our group. Ms. Fortado suggested working to make our insurance options more attractive to families. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Veterans’ Assistance Commission funding requests

Ms. Fortado explained the changes going on with the Veterans’ Assistance Commission and distributed a memo for the VAC Liaison, Mr. Wilson. The memo laid out four specific questions she has for the VAC and would like Mr. Wilson to help facilitate answers for the Board. Mr. Wilson requested for Board Members to send additional questions via email.

4. FY2024 Budget Decisions

Ms. Fortado requested for the Board Members to go around the room and explain their philosophy regarding the FY2024 budget decisions. The majority of the members stated their philosophy is “Caution”. Many of them stated they want to focus on retention of the current personnel. A few members mentioned how hard it was to make cuts around 2010 and they don’t want to put themselves in that place again. Some also mentioned some new positions they would like to discuss funding. Ms. Fortado stated she thinks the answer for FY2024 requests is “No”. Ms. Jett suggested the Board take a “wait & see” approach for the impacts of the SAFE-T Act and be prepared to be responsive when needs arise.

5. Increased revenue options

Ms. Jett gave a presentation to detailing the current options for increasing revenue; raising property taxes, repealing PTELL, adding a VAC levy, adding a facilities sales tax, increasing public safety sales tax. She believes the most viable option is an increase to the public safety sales tax but asked Board Members to let her know if they would like her to research additional options.

Ms. Jett explained that the Public Safety Sales Tax has not been increased in 24 years and she displayed a chart of what the increase would look like for the average weekly spending. She ended the presentation by reminding everyone of the current FY2024 budget deficit and the expected deficits in future years. Ms. Fortado would like to continue this conversation at future meetings and collectively make a decision on the best option to advocate for as a whole.

F. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation to open the minutes of August 13, 2013 and for all other closed session minutes to remain closed. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

G. Chair’s Report 

None

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

VIII. A. 1, 3, E. 1-2

IX. Justice and Social Services 

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

• Probation & Court Services – July 2023

• Public Defender – August 2023

• Emergency Management Agency – August 2023

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – July 2023

Information only

C. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Closed Session Minutes Review

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation for all closed session minutes to remain closed; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Chair’s Report 

None

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

None

X. Other Business 

None

XI. Adjournment 

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2023/230912_Meeting/230912Minutes.pdf