Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met Sept. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order

Committee Members Present: Elizabeth Hunter, Milton Maxwell, Dan Bost, Scott Comparato, Julie Peterson and Andrew Erbes

County Board Members Present: John S. Rendleman and Emily Burke

Also Present: Dr. Sarah Patrick, Chad Hill, Derek Misener, Cheryl Graff, Mike Carr, Lisa Byrd, Brandi Williamson, Josh Barringer, Sharon Harris-Johnson, Henry Long and Michelle Tweedy

Finance & Administration Chair Elizabeth Hunter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Finance & Administration Chair Hunter gave an overview of the budget hearing process. Jackson County Board Chair John S. Rendleman reminded the committee that in order to formally adopt a budget; ten votes would be needed.

I. 17-2813 Budget Hearings

5:00pm-Health Department & TB

5:15pm-Ambulance Services

5:30pm-Emergency Management

5:45pm-Regional Office of Education

6:00pm-State's Attorney

6:15pm-708 Mental Health Board

6:30pm-Computing Services

6:45pm-Treasurer

7:00pm-Senior Adult Services

Jackson County Health Department Administrator Dr. Sarah Patrick presented the committee with the Health Department and TB budgets. The Health Department budget reflected 50 FTEs with a 35 hour work week with no planned layoffs, though some jobs have been combined or left unfilled and no cost of living adjustment (COLA). Should other county departments receive a 2% COLA the budget would need to be increased by $54,633 to cover all currently employed individuals. An increase of 7.5% was added to the cost of health insurance as directed with 35 employees currently on the county health plan. The operating tax levy was kept flat and a request has been made to contribute 50% of the IMRF funding for its employees. The department is always evaluating its program eliminating those that are no longer cost effective and pursuing new lines of funding. Chairman Johns S. Rendleman inquired as to what rate the department used in calculating its cost for unemployment - the department based its unemployment expense based upon the first $12,960 earned at 3.861% or $500.39/employee which was then allocated accordingly to the various programs. Chairman Rendleman inquired as to the amount requested in contingency, advertising and vaccines. Contingency reports the estimated PTELL shortfall; Advertising reflects the advertising required through the smoking cessation grant; and Vaccines have declined due to area pharmacies dispensing the flu vaccination. There was a brief discussion regarding administering the flu vaccines to county board members. Ms. Julie Peterson inquired how the department was fairing with the increased number of restaurant inspections due to number of new restaurants in the county and limited staffing. The department is handling the restaurant inspections well and will be losing one of its inspectors to retirement later in the year in which that position will be replaced.

There are active cases of TB within the county of which Dr. Patrick is not able to discuss in an open meeting. TB still kills and a loss of life would be considered a failure of their department and the medical system. TB has one FTE with other employees of the Health Dept. assisting when needed. The budget reflects a 2% COLA and an increase of $2,000 in its operating levy. A reduction in fees collected is due to health insurance not covering the costs of administering adequately.

Jackson County Ambulance Director Derek Misener presented the committee with the Ambulance Service budget. The budget does not reflect any increased cost associated with personnel in its personnel related line items, however an amount has been included within the contingency line item to cover the cost associated with pending negotiations; and increased costs with non-bargaining employees were included as well. The operating levy tax levy was kept flat as directed. Capital outlays were requested to address building additions /repairs, and the replacements of an Ambulance and SUV. Chairman John S. Rendleman inquired why the county levies at a rate for non-cash related expenditures such as Contractual Allowance, Bad Debt and Depreciation The committee was unable to complete its discussions on the Ambulance Service or hold the hearing scheduled for Emergency Management since Chairman Rendleman and Director Misener had to leave in order to attend a Jackson County 911 meeting. The hearings will continue on Monday, October 2, 2017, at Finance & Administration Committee, The gentleman left the meeting at 5:50 p.m.

Regional Office of Education #30 Superintendent Cheryl Graff presented the budget for Jackson County's share of the Regional Office of Education. The budget presented will be revised to reflect County Reimbursement of $76,813. Jackson County is reimbursed by the following the counties: Alexander (3%); Pulaski (3%); Perry (17%); and Union (15%). All grant related activity is recorded and audited separately from the county.

Jackson County State's Attorney Mike Carr presented the committee with the State's Attorney budget. The budget reflects increased costs associated with the growing number of murder trials; there are currently 10 pending. A 5% increase was add to non-bargaining to adjust for prevailing salaries and gender inequalities with $34,000 being reimbursed by the State of Illinois. State's Attorney Carr expressed his concern potentially losing staff to other employers if equitable pay is not given any consideration. Finance & Administration Chair Hunter requested a breakdown of employees employed in the State's Attorney Office and the addition of a technology line item within the budget.

Ms. Brandi Williamson, Chair of the Jackson County (708) Mental Board presented the committee with the Mental Health Board budget. The missions of the Mental Health Board is to plan, allocate funds, coordinate and evaluate a comprehensive system of community mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance abuse services for the citizens of Jackson County. The Mental Health Board is requesting an increase of $22,702 in its operating levy to provide further mental health services for the citizens of the county. The Mental Health Board utilizes the staff of the Jackson County Board to carry out its operations and funds the County Board $5,000 for those services. A contingency line item has been established to account for the estimated PTELL shortfall and to provide mini -grants to the various agencies providing mental health services.

Mr. Josh Barringer presented the committee with the Computing Services department budget. The budget presented reflected no increase in salaries, an increase of 7.5% in health insurance and an increase in contractual support due to increase cost associated with support. Jackson County Treasurer Sharon K. Harris-Johnson presented the committee with the Treasurer's Office budget. The budget presented is similar if not less than last year's request. The Treasurer has replaced a full-time position with a temporary position with no benefits. The budget will need to be revised to reflect $5,000 in Capital Outlay-Fixed Assets for equipment replacement.

Mr. Henry Long, Executive Director of Senior Adult Services present the committee with the Senior Adult Services budget. All program offered at Senior Adult Services are geared toward keeping the county's senior citizens in their own home for as long as possible. The service is requesting an increase of $3,266 in its operating levy of which the service will receive matching funds from other sources.

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn

The committee was reminded that the budget hearings will continue beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

Motion by Erbes, seconded by D. Bost to adjourn at 7:30 p.m., motion carried.

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