Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met July 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM) Members Present: Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Members Absent: Nehring

Also present: Kenton Schafer, Gene Turk, Robert Burns, Jennifer Lindsey, Mary Beth Varner, Jeff Whitbeck, Liz Hunter, Tamiko Mueller, Maureen Berkowitz, Bart Hagston, Mitch Burdick, Gene Basden, Josh Barringer, Christine Snyder, Keith Larkin

Approval of Minutes

I. 20-5146 Approval of June 8, 2020 Minutes

Peterson noted a correction on item number 9. The words "to approve" appeared twice and one set needed removed. A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Peterson, to approve the June 8, 2020 minutes as presented with the above mentioned correction. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chair's Report 

Erbes mentioned to the committee that BS&A would be opening up in August to begin keying i n numbers for budget requests. He a l so noted that budget hearings would begin i n September.

Insurance

II. 20-5147 Work Comp Update

The County Administrator noted that there had been approximately 12 work comp cases in the last 90 days all due to COVID testing and these were all medical claim only cases. Rendleman asked if there were any current work comp accident cases and it was noted that currently there was one employee on light duty.

III. 20-5148 Payment of Hope Trust Dental & Vision Claims in the amount of $12,822.62

A motion was made by Rendleman, seconded by D. Bost, to approve payment of Hope Trust Dental & Vision Claim in the amount of $12,822.62. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring 

IV. 20-5149 Payment of Hope Trust Run Out Claims in the amount of $194,381.23

Rendleman question the County's expectation of Run Out Claims for next month and the County Administrator noted it was not expected to have such a large number. Mueller questioned if there was a way to cross reference expectations from Consociate vs. Hope Trust. The County Administrator noted that the run out claims were items being processed after the County left Consociate. These are all claims that occurred before 12/31/2019 that were not processed by Consociate. Hope Trust is now processing those claims. 

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Comparato, to approve payment of Hope Trust Run out Claims in the amount of $194,381.23. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring

V. 20-5150 Payment of Hope Trust Medical Admin Claim in the amount of $236,740.00

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Calandro, to approve payment of Hope Trust Medical Admin Claim in the amount of $236,740.00. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring

Finance

VI. 20-5151 Payment of County Monthly Claims in the amount of $313,617.10

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Comparato, to approve payment of the County Monthly Claims in the amount of $313,617.10. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 5 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes and Peterson 

Absent: 1 - Nehring 

Abstain: 1 - Rendleman

VII. 20-5152 Approval of On-Demand Claims in the amount of $36,473.54

Comparato questioned the County Administrator on her opinion of the On Demand Claims for the month. She noted that the claims were significantly down for the month. Aside from the election items requested from the County Clerk's office, the County Administrator also noted that claims looked higher than normal due to payments for Greater Egypt, Jackson Growth Alliance, and quarterly tourism payments which accounted for around 30% of the total for the month. Comparato also questioned why those 3 particular items were paid from On Demand Claims vs County Monthly Claims. The County Administrator noted that due to the financial software and the line items they came out of, they were required to pay those accounts by check. She also noted they were not technically On Demand Checks, but they do show on the final monthly report. A motion was made by Rendleman, seconded by Peterson, to approve the On-Demand Claims in the amount of $36,473.54. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman Absent: 1 - Nehring VIII. 20-5153 Payment of Board Member Travel Expenses in the amount of $1,953.33

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Rendleman, to approve payment of Board Member Travel Expenses in the amount of $1,953.33. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring

IX. 20-5164 Bond Discussion

The committee discussed paying off the Build America Bonds, refinancing options, and what to do with future revenue. Larkin noted that paying off the bonds now would be beneficial due to not having to pay future interest rates. The other options discussed were refinancing one bond and paying the other off, refinancing both bonds due to current low interest rates, and paying off the bonds in future years. Each of the committee members were given the chance to ask questions and voice their opinions. A motion was made by Rendleman, seconded by D. Bost, to approve paying off the bonds. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 5 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes and Rendleman 

No: 1 - Peterson

 Absent: 1 - Nehring X. 

20-5155 Fixed Asset Capitalization Limit Resolution

The County Administrator noted that this item was suggested by the auditor for future County use. The cap is $5,000, but can be changed as often as the Board wanted to change it. A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Rendleman, to approve the Fixed Asset Capitalization Limit Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring

XI. 20-5185 Ordinance to Transfer Funds

Hunter noted to the committee that there might be a cash flow issue at some point during the next couple of months and that this Ordinance will help the County be proactive in making payroll and paying bills. Comparato questioned whether the County still owed money to the Solid Waste Fund, of which the answer was yes. He also suggested a friendly amendment to the Ordinance, of taking out the third and fourth "Therefore Be It Ordained" lines, which stated how the money would be returned to the funds it was borrowed from; Calandro and Peterson agreed. 

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Peterson, to approve the Ordinance to Transfer Funds with the above mentioned amendments. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Yes: 6 - Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes, Peterson and Rendleman 

Absent: 1 - Nehring 

XII. 20-5186 Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Claim

A motion was made by Rendleman, seconded by Peterson, to authorize the State's Attorneys Office to file the Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Claim. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XIII. 20-5154 Cash Summaries by Bank

Erbes noted this was an information only item for the committee. 

XIV. 20-5176 Revenue by Department

Erbes noted this was an informational only item for the committee.

Labor

Old Business

New Business

Peters on commented that Jefferson County had a n economic development program similar to Jackson Growth Alliance and that they ha ve a budget that is privately funded. She noted this would be a good thing for the County i f Jackson County had something similar to thi s with Ja ckson Growth Alliance.

Executive Session

Adjourn (6:37 PM) 

Comparato moved and Calandro seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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