Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Finance and Administration Committee met Oct. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present: Calandro, Comparato, D. Bost, Erbes and Peterson

Members Absent: Rendleman

Also present: Brandi Williamson, Lynn Heins, Frank Byrd, Kenton Schafer, Josh Barringer, Mitch Burdick, Carol Aronson, Allan Karnes, Liz Hunter, Gene Basden, Robert Burns, Jeff Whitbeck, Jennifer Lindsey, Mary Beth Varner, Orval Rowe, Cindy Svanda, Maureen Berkowitz, Lisa Byrd, Bart Hagston, Cheryl Graff, Christine Snyder, Christy Solverson, Allison Mileur, Steven Bost

Chair's Report

I. 20-5353 FY21 Budget Discussion

Comparato began the meeting by going over some budget highlights which included the following:

· The budget was balanced based upon a 4.999% increase in property taxes, while considering the cuts that occurred as a result of the Enterprise Zone, TIF districts, and PTELL.

· Every department was asked to try to maintain a flat budget this year. The budgets of departments which could not or did not do so were reviewed by the County Administrator and the Chair of Finance and Administration Committee, and in some cases cuts were made.

· The transfer in of IMRF, Social Security (FICA/Medicare), and unemployment levies were divided into separate line items to more transparently show them as revenue.

· As each department budgeted for the cost of their employees’ plans and HSA/FSA’s

 there is no need to budget for health insurance runout.

· There are new IT line items in every department’s budget to allow for more transparency on how IT funds are being allocated and spent.

· There is no longer a need to transfer funds into revenue for Solid Waste Reimbursement because of how Solid Waste bills are now being handled.

· The Sheriff's office cut about $214,000 from their budget to help with balancing the overall budget.

· No revenues were budgeted for the Cannabis Use Tax given this was the first year a nd thus we cannot accurately predict how much money it will bring in.

· The County’s regular IMRF portion increased from 9.02% last year to 13.65% this year due to the early retirement that was offered last year; this increase affected every department’s budget.

The committee reviewed each departments budget and some questions were asked of department heads. Basden suggested moving money from the miscellaneous line item to the contingency line item for the County Board budget. This was a consensus of the committee and the County Administrator noted that she would complete the move prior to Monday's Finance committee meeting.

Department heads commented that they liked the process that was used this year for budget preparation. They commented that it was a smooth process and that it was easy to work with all parties involved.

Comparato ended the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance and for being available to answer questions.

This item will go to the Finance Committee to be voted on at the October 5, 2020 meeting.

Old Business

New Business

Executive Session

Adjourn (5:58 PM)

Calandro moved and Peterson seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

https://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=6360&isPub=True&includeTrash=False