Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met July 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (5:02 pm)

Members Present: Comparato, D. Bost, Hunter, Maxwell and Peterson

Members Absent: Larkin

Also Present: John S. Rendleman, Andrew Erbes, Tamiko Mueller, Howard Danzig, Derek Misener, Sarah Patrick, Jeff Whitbeck, Susie Kilquist, Josh Barringer, Michelle Tweedy

Approval of Minutes:

I. 17-2601 June 12, 2017 Minutes

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Maxwell, to approve the June 12, 2017 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chair's Report:

II. 17-2602 Budget Timeline

Hunter informed the committee that the due date for budgets is August 7th from each department, budget hearings will begin at the September Finance & Administration meeting. The question was raised about what the rates are going to be for health insurance and bargaining unit pay increases. Hunter stated that departments should not put in raises for the employees and the board will make a decision about that at a later date. She suggested that in the past health insurance has gone up 7.5% and everyone should plan for that amount as an estimate. Rendleman inquired about whether the departments would show a concurrent reduction in other line items to off set the 7.5% increase in health insurance. Tweedy explained that she is the one who puts in the health insurance rates for each department and the new financial software program would allow the board to see where reductions and additions have been made.

Insurance:

III. 17-2603 Communications

a. ACA Overview

b. Buzz-June 2017

Hunter encouraged everyone to read the ACA Overview and Buzz documents to get a better understanding of possible changes.

IV. 17-2604 Worker's Compensation Update

Hunter informed the committee that she spoke with Dottie Miles and there are no new updates at this time. Also, they are still working on handling the unnecessary ICRMT audit that happened. Rendleman and Hunter stated that the county would not be paying for the audit since it is ICRMT's mistake.

V. 17-2605 Payment of Health Insurance Claims

Tweedy reviewed the new format for the Health Insurance claims and reviewed what information they could now see.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Maxwell, to authorize payment of the Health Insurance Claims for May 5th, part of May 19th, AIMM and Fixed costs in the amount of $414,900.75. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VI. 17-2606 Health Insurance Update

Hunter began discussion by giving a brief synopsis of the emails from Cindy Svanda regarding the research that one her staff, Melissa Britt, has done on surrounding counties insurance rates. She then read the section in the email where Svanda suggested hiring a consultant to get an independent bid on the county insurance plan. Hunter then went on to review some of the suggested changes from Dave Schermer. She stated that the suggested changes to the county insurance plan could save the county about $250,000. Hunter said she recommends the committee approve the suggested changes except she would like to leave in fertility coverage for employees that would like to have a family. (See Attachment for specifics regarding changes.) Hunter then reviewed the other suggested changes she is recommending; changing prescription drug coverage to eliminate coverage of Proton Pump Inhibitors, cover only generic Cholesterol medications, eliminate coverage of topical Androgens, rebid the prescription benefits management contract, and rebid the medical management contract (AIMM). Hunter described that as Plan A and Plan B is to get an outside bid on health insurance. Peterson commented that she would like to keep coverage of brand name Cholesterol medications because sometimes the generics do not work for everyone. Hunter pointed out that changing to generics could save the county around $20,000. Peterson said she will bring this up again when the full board discusses it. D. Bost pointed out that the county has gone out for bid previously and the bids increased the cost of the plan by about two million dollars. Danzig spoke about what being self insured means and the benefits of reaching out to people who work in the field not insurance companies. The committee then reviewed some of the suggested changes deciding that they are reasonable changes that help the county toggle back to some ACA requirements. Peterson asked if Jackson County has joined the Opiod lawsuit that was mentioned in the Southern Illinoisan. Currently the county has not joined. The matter has been referred to the State's Attorney's office and Rendleman will follow up with them. A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Comparato, to approve recommendation of health insurance plan changes, changing prescription drug coverage to eliminate coverage of Proton Pump Inhibitors, cover only generic Cholesterol medications, eliminate coverage of topical Androgens, rebid the prescription benefits management contract, and rebid the medical management contract (AIMM). The motion carried by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to authorize engaging a consultant to obtain comparable health insurance bids at a cost not to exceed $5000.00. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Finance:

VII. 17-2607 Funding Requests

a. Jail Equipment Purchase

b. Panic Alarm Funding

c. Board of Review Appraiser Funding

Whitbeck spoke to the committee about upgrading the camera system at the jail to comply with PRIA laws and to allow for recording up to 60 days instead of the current 20 days. A bid is not required because it is an upgrade of the current system. Whitbeck also stated that the Sheriff recommends the funding come from the prisoner detainee fund.

The committee then discussed where the funding for the Panic Alarm system should come from. Tweedy informed the committee that the Circuit Clerk has agreed to pay for half of the cost of the system. The committee agreed that the other half should come from the county maintenance line item.

The committee discussed where the $50,000 that the County Board authorized to be paid for an appraisal for the Board of Review would come from. Tweedy informed the committee that the Board of Review has $12,000 in their appraisal fund. Hunter suggested using the refund from the Rehab and Care Center, the committee concurred.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Maxwell, to approve using the prisoner detainee fund to upgrade the camera system at the Jackson County Jail at a cost not to exceed $85,000. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Maxwell, to authorize the transfer of $38,000 from the Rehab and Care Center refund to contingency and pay up to $38,000 the Board of Review. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Comparato, to authorize paying half the cost of the Panic Alarm system from the maintenance line item. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VIII. 17-2608 Delinquent Tax Resolution 2017-23 Parcel # 14-05-453-004

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to approve Delinquent Tax Resolution 2017-23 Parcel #14-05-453-004. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IX. 17-2609 Payment of County Monthly Claims

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Peterson, to authorize payment of County Monthly Claims in the amount of $228,058.26. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

X. 17-2610 Payment of Board Member Travel Expenses

A motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Comparato, to authorize payment of Board members travel reimbursement in the amount of $3,238.40. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XI. 17-2611 Resolution 2017-24 Relating to Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

The committee reviewed the requested certifications from the elected officals regarding the IMRF hours worked.

A motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Comparato, to approve Resolution 2017-24 Relating to Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XII. 17-2612 FY16 Circuit Clerk Audit

This is information for the committee.

Labor:

The committee decided the needed to enter into Executive Session under 2 (c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss litigation.

D. Bost moved and Comparato seconded to enter into Executive Session under 2 (c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss litigation.

Roll Call Vote: Hunter-Yes, Peterson-Yes, Comparato-Yes, Maxwell-Yes, D. Bost-Yes

After exiting Executive Session the consensus of the committee is to engage a CPA to fix the payroll issue.

Computing Services:

Barringer reported that he is in the process of having the wires cleaned up in the Emergency Management section of the basement.

Old Business:

Hunter inquired about the progress of locating information on the work comp threshold.

Erbes asked about decisions regarding the county paper purchase. Tweedy suggested this issue be discussed during budgeting.

New Business

Adjourn:

D. Bost moved and Comparato seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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