Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Executive Committee met Dec. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present: Erbes, Hunter, J.S. Rendleman, Nehring and Peterson

Members Absent: Endres and Larkin

Also Present: Cheryl Graff, Larry Reinhardt, Josh Barringer, Michelle Tweedy

Approval of Minutes

I. 17-2993 November 9, 2017 Minutes

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve the November 9, 2017 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chairman's Remarks

II. 17-2994 UCCI 2018 Calendar of Events This is for informational purposes.

III. 17-3004 Grand Tower Energy Center Appeal Rendleman informed the committee that the Board has a chance to become a party to the Grand Tower appeal. He explained what intervening means. The committee discussed the issue and decided not to intervene at this time but to continue to monitor the situation.

Internal Office Matters

IV. 17-2995 County Board Administrator The committee will review the job description and discuss this at the January meeting.

V. 17-2996 Compensatory Time Policy The committee will review the policy and discuss it at the January meeting.

Computing Services

VI. 17-2997 Discuss and approve/deny Spyglass Proposal to Audit Teleco Bills Hunter explained that she and Barringer have met with a company that can audit the county phone bills for the last two years to see if there is any place where the county can save money. The committee discussed the fee structure and what they want to do. A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Hunter, to approve engaging Spyglass subject to renegotiation of the payment schedule. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VII. 17-2998 Accounting Coordinator Update Tweedy reported on the professional development conference that she attended in Springfield. She informed the committee that Jackson County is one of the few counties that is in compliance with the new comptroller regulations. Tweedy has been asked to consult with other counties to assist them in becoming compliant. She also mentioned several grant opportunities that she heard about at the conference. The committee asked her to prepare a short one page memo to be included in the board packet this month.

VIII. 17-2999 Regional Office of Education Quarterly Report Graff began by thanking the board for their continued funding and she thanked Tweedy for all her help with the new financial software program. She went on to explain that there is a shortage of teachers and substitute teachers and she is working on connecting with ISBE and SIU to see what can be done. The committee

Appointments

IX. 17-3006 Ava TIF District Joint Review Board

Nehring indicated that she is interested serving on the TIF review board.

X. 17-3007 Open Appointments-December 2017 {6} a. 708 Mental Health Board (2)* b. Crosswalk Community Action Agency (2) c. Greater Egypt Regional Economic Development Commission (1) d. Jackson County Housing Authority (1) Rendleman indicated that he will recommend appointment of Wi lliamson and Flowers to the 708 Mental Board and Hopkins and Womack to the Crosswalk Community Action Agency. Rendleman also mentioned that there are six spots available on the Public Building Commission and if any members know of any one interested let him know.

Old Business

XI. 17-3005 IMRF Authorized Agent Appointment

Rendleman reminded the committee that the IMRF authorized agent can be changed and the committee is considering doing this in light of the issues with the IMRF audits over the last few years. Reinhardt informed the committee that all of the audit issues have been addressed. He went on to say that the issues were with his office receiving the proper information about changes to employees status' and with the financial software system. The change to the new BS&A financial software occurred at the exact same time as the IMRF audit this year and as a result some of the information that IMRF requested was not available at the time; it has since been submitted to IMRF. Rendleman pointed out that these IMRF issues can affect an employees retirement; Reinhardt assured the committee that any issues get ironed out prior to an employee retiring. Rendleman asked why Reinhardt wanted to keep these duties in his office; Reinhardt pointed out that they are payroll duties and his office is tasked with doing payroll, additionally any time things get parceled out it takes more time to get everything done and he reiterated that his office was not given proper training on the BS&A financial software. Rendleman stated that it is the consensus of the committee to change the IMRF authorized agent but if Reinhardt has updated the procedures for handling IMRF he can submit a memo outlining the changes to ensure that these issues do not continue; Reinhardt agreed to have that completed prior to the December board meeting.

XII. 17-3008 Resolution to include 125 Plan in IMRF

Rendleman explained what a 125 plan or cafeteria plan is and how it is not currently IMRF eligible. He went on to point out that this will increase the cost to the county when a person retires, this would be for non-bargaining employees but could be bargained with bargaining units. The committee asked Tweedy to provide them with cost figures at the next meeting and they would like to know what other counties offer this same program.

New Business

XIII. 17-3002 Resolution to Prohibit, Report and Eliminate Sexual Harrassment A motion was made by Hunter, seconded by Erbes, to approve the Resolution to Prohibit, Report and Eliminate Sexual Harassment. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XIV. 17-3003 Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council The committee members are going to review the information and speak with constituents. This matter will be discussed at the January meeting.

Executive Session

Adjourn (6:29 PM)

Erbes moved and Hunter seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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