Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board Finance Committee met Sept. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Bret Austin, Travis Cooley, Tim Finlay, Brad Poulter

Members Absent: Keith Callaway

Others Present: Ryan Niekamp, Gary Farha, Todd Eyler, John Simon, Anthony Foster, Tony Grootens and Patrick Frazier

Chairman Austin convened the meeting at 6:00pm.

The committee reviewed bills, they all appeared to be in order.

Chairman Austin entertained a motion to accept the Minutes from August 14, 2023, as printed. Mr. Cooley seconded the motion; seconded by Mr. Finlay. The minutes were adopted unanimously.

Chairman Austin asked Mr. Heath Richmond with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to speak. Mr. Richmond provided a slideshow to the committee and went over each slide and answered questions. (Attachment A1)

Chairman Austin asked Mark Schmidts – Executive Director of Transitions – to speak on behalf of the 377 Board. Mr. Schmidts provided a handout to the committee and provided a synopsis of the level of funding they are seeking from the County of Adams. (Attachment A2)

The committee reviewed several different additional fund appropriations and transfers as follows:

i. Additional Fund Appropriation from Ryan A. Niekamp – County Clerk & Recorder – in the amount of $7,500 to Expense Account Line Number 001-XXX-XXX – SOA Stipend – Splits – for a Revised Budget Amount of $7,500.00. The appropriation had a motion by Mr. Finaly, Seconded Cooley. Chairman Austin opened the floor up for discussion. Mr. Austin explained that this is just formalizing, and cleaning house on this line. The amount was already approved in last FY budget – this creates a new account line to clean up some book keeping. The appropriations was approved unanimously.

ii. Additional Fund Appropriation from Anthony Grootens – Sheriff – in the Amount of $338,570 to Expense Account Line Number 002-001-5830 – Jail Construction – Additional Work – for a Revised Budget Amount of $363,610.00. The appropriation had a Motion by Mr. Cooley, Seconded Poulter. Chairman Austin opened the floor up for discussion. Mr. Austin explained that this is to pay for the retainage of the jail project – the lawsuit had been settled. The committee approved the motion unanimously.

iii. Additional Fund Appropriation – from Ryan A. Niekamp – County Clerk & Recorder – in the Amount of $37,264 to Expense Account Line Number 123-121-5713 – Polling Place Accessibility Expense – for a Revised Budget Amount of $37,264 and $37,264 to Revenue Account Line Number 123-121-4615 – Grant- Polling Place Accessibility – for a Revised Budget Amount of $37,264. Appropriation was Motioned by Mr. Poulter, Seconded Finaly. Chairman Austin asked Clerk Niekamp to explain this to the committee. Mr. Niekamp stated that he had written and was awarded a grant to make the polling place more accessible. Mr. Niekamp listed the projects that he was going to use these funds on. Funding is from the IL. State Board of Elections. Mr. Austin thanked Mr. Niekamp for finding the grant. The committee approved the appropriation unanimously.

iv. Transfer of Fund Appropriation – from Ryan A. Niekamp – County Clerk & Recorder – in the Amount of $28,342 from Account Line Number 001-121-4615 – Grants – Polling Place Accessibility – for a Revised Budget Amount of $0.00 and $28,342 to Account Line Number 123-121-4615 – Grants – Polling Place Accessibility – for a Revised Budget Amount of $65,606 and $28,342 from Account Line Number 001-121- 5715 – Election PPA Grant Expense – for a Revised Budget Amount of $0.00 and $28,342 to Account Line Number 123-121-5713 – Polling Place Accessibility Expense for a Revised Budget Amount of $65,606. Chairman Austin stated that this transfer was to help cleanup booking for the Clerk’s grant. Mr. Cooley moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Finaly. The Transfer was unanimously adopted.

Sheriff Grootens talked to the committee regarding his budget for the Jail, Medical Expenses, Law Enforcement and Maintenance. The Sheriff explained that each of these had sub-accounts that were going to be in the red before the end of the fiscal year with much of the reasoning being that there were many unexpected expenses with some of the fact due to a lack of proper budgeting. Mr. Austin asked if globally his budget was negative. The Sheriff said no that it was not – it was just a few different lines. Mr. Austin stated that if globally he was on track, there was nothing for the committee to do at this time and he understood.

Sheriff Grootens discussed e-citations with the Committee. He stated that he believes the way the e-citations are collected are not correct and they need to be separated when deposited. Mr. Austin asked him to look more into it and report back.

Chairman Austin introduced the Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment for Adams County, Illinois. He asked for his committee to review the document and let him, or GREDF, know if there were any questions. There was no action to take, just more house keeping stated Mr. Austin.

Mr. Simon discussed the new collective bargaining agreement with Finance. Mr. Simon went through the need for the changes that were agreed to in negotiations with staffing issues being the driving force to almost all the issues. Mr. Austin asked Mr. Simon to talk about the significant financial impact of this contact, if ratified. Mr. Simon provided the scope of what the cost would be to the global budget. Mr. Austin stated that he supports the contract, and the increased pay for our front-line workers but wanted to be very clear that if the contract is ratified it’s a guarantee that the levy will have to increase to support the increase in salary lines. Some committee members asked a few questions to Mr. Simon, Mr. Simon addressed them each.

Chairman Austin discussed the budget process more in-depth with the committee members. He stated that each member should have their department assignments – he asked that they each meet with their elected official / department head and gather the data. Mr. Austin states that if anyone had any issues, to let him know. Mr. Austin states that the county will still be using ClearGov software; however, with the departure of the HR Director, Mr. Austin would be putting all of the data into ClearGov himself so he will do that after the budget is adopted and he has more time.

The committee did not have any Executive Session.

Mr. Finaly moved that the committee adjourn at 7:28pm; this was seconded by Mr. Cooley. Chairman Austin declared the Finance Committee of 09/11/2023 adjourned until its next stated meeting.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showpublisheddocument/8825/638325503209330000