Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met April 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (5:00 pm)

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

Members Absent: Larkin

Also Present: Tamiko Mueller, Michelle Tweedy, Susie Kilquist, Mike O'Leary, Mike Carr, Dan Brenner, Rebecca Blomer, Maureen Berkowitz, Larry Reinhardt, Sarah Patrick, Jill Stokes, Rita Morefield, Melinda Stuhrenberg, Bob Richards, John Marks, Michael Hubbs, Matt Conder, Ed Miller, Ray Herring, Ron Bastien

Approval of Minutes:

I. 18-3264 March 12, 2018 Minutes

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to approve the March 12, 2018 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chair's Report

Insurance:

II. 18-3265 Worker's Compensation Update

a. IPMG-Medcor Program

The committee coordinator spoke to the committee about the MedCor program from IPMG and provided the committee members with Mr. Kyle Shell, from IPMG, business card. It is a program that provides a phone number to an RN in the event an employee gets hurt on the job. This would be a service that could save the county money. Instead of sending an employee who has a minor injury on the job to the ER they could call this number and get medical advice from an RN. This call would not cost the county anything, IPMG would pick up the $45 fee. If the employee ends up filing a work comp claim then the $45 would be rolled into the claim. Rendleman asked if there was any training offered to Supervisors to address injuries on the job.The consensus of the committee is to invite Mr. Shell from IPMG to the May 14th Finance & Administration Committee meeting.

III. 18-3266 Payment of Health Insurance Claims

Tweedy outlined the Health Insurance handouts. This is the first month with comparable numbers from the new financial software system.

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Erbes, to approve payment of the administrative costs, February 9th, February 23rd, March 9th and part of March 23rd Health Insurance claims in the amount of $419,533.53. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IV. 18-3267 COBRA Rates

Tweedy explained to the committee that they have an option with regard to setting the COBRA rates. They can set them at the premium plus 2% or they can set them at a higher rate that would include the premium, 2% administrative costs, and an estimate of health insurance cost increases. The committee discussed the options and decided to keep the rate at premium plus 2% administrative costs.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Comparato, to approve the COBRA rates at the premium plus 2% administrative costs. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

V. 18-3268 Employer Shared Responsibility Payment Report

Tweedy explained that the county received a $600,000 bill from the Federal government due to some misinformation they have about the number of employees the county had in 2015 and mistakes in the 1095's done by Harris. Tweedy went on to say that the committee will need to select that they disagree with the findings, that they will not be paying the fine and designate an authorized person.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Erbes, to authorize and direct Tweedy with counsel from Brenner to file a response to the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment report before April 19, 2018. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VI. 18-3269 Courage to Quit Courses

Patrick informed the committee that one of the Health Department staff has completed training in an evidence based program designed to reduce tobacco dependence. She would like to open up this program to all county employees. She pointed out that this may help in reducing health care costs, it can be made available at the Courthouse or Jail for those interested, it can be done in three one hour sessions and it is of course optional. The elected officials present were asked what their thoughts were most thought it was a good idea.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Comparato, to authorize and direct the committee coordinator to work with the health department and department heads to set up times for the program. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VII. 18-3270 Health Insurance Subcommittee

This item will remain on the agenda.

Finance:

VIII. 18-3271 Officeholders Salary Resolution

This item is being reviewed due to issues with the wording of the health insurance payment. Brenner explained that tying officeholders health insurance payment to that of the bargaining units could be a conflict of interest since the officeholders are part of the negotiations. Tweedy gave the committee a history of why the officeholders currently do not pay anything toward health insurance. Hunter pointed out that the officeholders make more than their staff and should be required to pay something toward health insurance since the employees have to pay. D. Bost suggested $1200 a month after some discussion he lowered his suggestion to around $350 a month. The committee asked about comparable numbers from surrounding counties and Tweedy provided them with the 2018 UCCI salary survey. The committee decided that $73 a month for health insurance and $21 a month for Dental and Vision was reasonable. Then Berkowitz suggested that they change the CPI from the Midwest one to the IL Dept. of Revenue annual CPI which is the one used by the county for tax purposes. The committee agreed.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Comparato, to approve having officeholders pay $73 a month for health insurance and $21 a month for dental and vision insurance. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 5 - Comparato, Erbes, Hunter, Maxwell and Peterson

No: 1 - D. Bost

Absent: 1 - Larkin

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve using the IL Department of Revenue annual CPI in determining the officeholders salary. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IX. 18-3272 Gov$pend

This is for informational purposes.

X. 18-3273 Payment of County Monthly Claims

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Comparato, to authorize payment of the county monthly claims in the amount of $298,575.19. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XI. 18-3274 Payment of Board Member Travel Expenses in the amount of $2,528.26

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Comparato, to authorize payment of Board members travel reimbursement in the amount of $2,528.26. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XII. 18-3275 Delinquent Tax Resolution 2018-43 Parcel# 05-08-127-002, 003

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Maxwell, to approve the Delinquent Tax Resolution 2018-43 Parcel# 05-08-127-002, 003. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XIII. 18-3276 2017 Audit Update

a. MWM Actuarial Report

b. GASB #68 Employer Reporting

A. Tweedy told the committee that this is for informational purposes. This item relates to the retiree health insurance. She also pointed out that next year there will be a more thorough audit required.

B. Tweedy informed the committee that the county is mandated to report in the audit the liability for the retirement system. Last year the numbers came through late and as a result the county had to request an extension for the audit. Tweedy explained that there are a couple of options the county can use 2016 numbers and submit the audit on time or they can wait for the 2017 numbers and request an extension again. Hunter pointed out that this would be the third year that an extension was requested. The committee decided to use the 2016 GASB numbers and make a notation in the audit as to why this was done.

C. Tweedy asked where and when the draft audit meeting should take place. It is the consensus of the committee that the County Board Chair and the Finance Chair will meet with the auditors like they have done in the past.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to authorize using the 2016 GASB numbers for the 2017 Audit. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XIV. 18-3277 RFP for County Audit

The committee would like to look at hiring an audit company for FY19 and asked Brenner to create an RFP for the County Auditors. Brenner stated that with professional services the county is not required to go out for bids. The consensus of the committee is that they would like the RFP so they know what they should be looking for in an audit company. Tweedy encouraged the committee to get this done as soon as possible.

XV. 18-3278 IMRF: Early Retirement Incentive

The committee reviewed the report provided by IMRF regarding the Early Retirement Incentive. If everyone on the current list were to take the ERI option it would cost the county approximately $3.7 million which could be paid over five or ten years. The committee discussed if there would be a cost savings to the county due to some staff not being replaced, some being replaced with new employees who make less and the cost of the ERI. Employees present also pointed out that there may be a health insurance cost savings if younger employees are hired in to replace those who retire. Kilquist asked if the ERI decision would be made in time for departments to be able to budget appropriately. Reinhardt indicated that there would be no cost savings in his office because under the union contract anyone who leaves has to be replaced by someone at near the same salary. Last time the county considered this option a letter was sent to department heads asking them if their employees where interested and what might be the potential cost savings. The consensus of the committee is to have a letter sent to department heads making this inquiry. The committee also requested that a new IMRF-ERI study be requested with the date of August 1, 2018 so they will have time consider the issue.

Labor:

Old Business

New Business:

Reinhardt asked which committee should discuss his County Clerk Salary Fee Study. It will go on the May Executive Committee agenda.

Patrick informed the committee that starting July 1, 2018 the Health Department will return to five days a week.

Mueller spoke about an IACBM meeting she attended in Mt. Vernon. She mentioned the Government Accounting Audit Act and was reminded that Jackson County is already in compliance with that. She then mentioned that she spoke with a couple of gentlemen regarding county health insurance and they are happy to help Jackson County anytime. She provided business cards that will be available in the Board office if anyone is interested. Mueller then showed the committee a book on County Courthouses throughout the state. She provided a copy for the Board office. Finally, Mueller spoke about some information she picked up on services offered to county governments from Ameren.

Executive Session

XVI. 18-3279 Executive Session under 2 (c)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss collective bargaining

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by D. Bost, to approve entering into Executive Session under 2 (c) 2 and 11 to discuss collective bargaining and l itigation. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 6 - Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Hunter, Maxwell and Peterson

Absent: 1 - Larkin

Adjourn (7:06 pm)

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

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