Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met Oct. 24.

Here is the agenda provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (4:31 PM)

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

Members Absent: Larkin

Also Present: Tamiko Mueller, Grant Guthman, Susie Kilquist, Sarah Patrick, Maureen Berkowitz, Josh Barringer, Michelle Tweedy

I. 17-2878 2017-2018 Budget Preparation

a. Revenue Overview

b. Expenditure Overview

Hunter began by outlining the two issues that need to be addressed this evening; the net revenue over deficit and the levy scenario's. The committee began by going over the items that Tweedy and Hunter outlined to be looked at to account for the necessary reductions in the budget. 1. At a previous meeting the committee voted to reduce the tax levy. Comparato suggested holding off on this discussion until other things have been decided. 2. The committee decided to remove the County Board Administrative Assistant position with benefits which will save $42,038. 3. They removed the Graduate Assistant position which will save $20,000. 4. The committee discussed the County Administrator position; what the need is, what the duties of the person would be, and what the contract would be for the position. Rendleman stated that he sees the biggest reason why the position is needed is to address those things that are not being done. He would like to see the county be proactive instead of just reactive. 5. Jackson Growth Alliance was discussed and the consensus of the committee is to reduce the amount given to $15,000 which will save $5000. 6. The Soil & Water Conservation funding was removed which will save $10,000. 7. The County Board contingency fund was reduced which will save $100,000. 8. The health insurance contingency fund was kept as is. From here the committee spoke with Kilquist about some of the funding that may be returned to the County from the Sheriff's office. She estimated that their would be about $100,000 from the fuel fund and $75,000 from the housing of juveniles. Tweedy stated that there is approximately $167,000 left in the Rehab & Care fund. Rendleman began the discussion on where the remaining funds may need to come from. He said that reductions may need to come from the office holders budgets and the committee should let each department decide where the cuts will come from. As the committee discussed this, the discussion moved to the levy amounts. Hunter went through each of the columns on the spreadsheet and explained what each one represented. The committee and departments that were present discussed what PTELL is and what the cuts do. Berkowitz explained how the PTELL is figured. After much discussion the committee decided that they would adjust the Ambulance Department and IMRF levy which will put $228,072 in the County General levy. This balanced the budget. Hunter went around the table allowing each committee member to voice their opinion and concerns. Each member was comfortable with the cuts.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to approve the suggested cuts to balance the county budget. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn (6:24 PM)

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

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