Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board Finance Committee met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Meeting Convened at 6:00pm

Members Present: Bret Austin, Travis Cooley, Tim Finlay, Brent Fischer

Members Absent: Brad Poulter

Others in Attendance: Ryan Niekamp (County Clerk), Jonathan Hoover (Public Defender), Anthony Foster (Director of Probation Services), Paul Havermale (VAC Superintendent)

A motion to approve the minutes from September 9, 2024 as written by Mr. Fischer and seconded by Finlay. The minutes were approved unanimously as printed with two name corrections.

IL. Extension Presentation by Shelby Crow and provided summary of how Adams County Funding helps the extension and Ms. Crow also provided pamphlets for the Board. Mr. Austin asked Mr. Crow how much money the extension is requesting. Ms. Crow stated that the request is $142,000 as it was the year prior. Ms. Crow noted that money provided by the county stays local. Mr. Finlay stated that the extension is very important in the county as it provides new leaders within the community. Mr. Finlay asked what the county match is for the extension. Ms. Crow stated that the Illinois Constitution states a 1:1 match for county funding; however, that has not been the case over the past couple of years and roughly provides around $100,000 from the State of Illinois. Mr. Finlay asked if counties across the state fund their extensions and Ms. Crow said they do. Mr. Fischer asked how the state provides their funding. Ms. Crow stated that it is from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Resolution Number 2024-10-001-031 – ARPA South Quincy Drainage District in the Amount of $50,000 was presented by Mr. Austin. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Mr. Finlay, seconded by Mr. Fischer. There being no questions, the motion approved unanimously.

The following Appropriations were read and considered:

a. Additional Fund Appropriation – Ryan A. Niekamp, County Clerk and Recorder – in the Amount of $100 for Expense Account Number 006-001-5875 – Capital Project: HVAC Project Expense – for a Revised Budget Amount of $100 and $100 for Expense Account Number 006-001-5815 – Capital Project: HVAC Project Design – for a Revised Budget Amount of $100.

Motion by Mr. Austin to amend the appropriation to add a revenue line in the amount of $100 for HVAC Project Expense. Seconded by Mr. Fischer, the motion passed.

b. Transfer of Funds Appropriation – Ryan A. Niekamp, County Clerk & Recorder – in the Amount of $72,000 from Account Number 001-001-5999 – Contingency – for a Revised Budget Amount of $123,000 and $72,000 to Account Number 006-001- 5815 – Capital Project: HVAC Project Design – for a Revised Budget Amount of $72,100.

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve “A” and “B”. Seconded by Mr. Fischer. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Transfer of Funds Appropriation – Paul Havermale, Veteran’s Assistance Commission – for $1,000 from Account Number 631-631-5436 – Utilies – for a Revised Budget Amount of $1,800 and $1,000 to Account Number 631-631-5650 – Other Expenses – for a Revised Budget Amount of $3,400 and $2,000 from Account Number 631-631-5105 – Salary – Assistant Superintendent VAC – for a Revised Budget Amount of $18,000 and $2,000 to Account Number 631-631-5775 – Training – for a Revised Budget Amount of $3,000.

Motion to approve “C” was made by Mr. Austin. Seconded by Mr. Fischer. Mr. Havermale stated that this is housecleaning items for his first budget and noted new items he will ask to be aligned in the next fiscal year budget. Motion to approve “C” was approved unanimously.

Mr. Austin asked Mr. Havermale about his budget request increase. Mr. Havermale stated that the current fiscal year’s approved amount of $325,000 to around $370,000 and he projected that it should be in alignment with the EAV.

d. Transfer of Funds Appropriation – Jonathan Hoover, Chief Public Defender – in the Amount of $1,000 From Account Number 001-411-5549 – Postage – for a Revised Budget Amount of $1,000 and $1,000 To Account Number 001-411-5605 – Books and Publications – for a Revised Budget Amount of $7,500 and $500 From Account Number 001-411-5549 – Postage – for a Revised Budget Amount of $500 and $500 to Account Number 001-411-5650 – Office Supplies – for a Revised Budget Amount of $4,000

Mr. Austin moved to approve. Seconded by Mr. Finlay. Mr. Hoover noted that he was moving the money around to where it was most needed to get the fund in alignment to his office’s needs. Motion was approved unanimously.

e. Transfer of Funds Appropriation – John Simon, Chief of Ambulance – in the Amount of $1,000 From Account Number 001-211-5650 – Office Supplies – for a Revised Budget Amount of $500 and $1,000 To Account Number 621-621-5860 – Office Equipment – for a Revised Budget Amount of $6,000

Motion to approve was made by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Cooley. Mr. Austin stated that this was a budget neutral move. Item “e” passed unanimously.

Mr. Austin provided an update on the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. He stated that all departments had submitted their budget, the final “lock” on the budget for draft was about a week later than expected. Mr. Austin noted a quirk on the software with an arbitrary four-percent increase across the board, so they had to turn that feature off and reload the data. EAV growth is looking very strong for the next year and final number will be provided later this calendar year. Mr. Austin reminded the committee about the truth-in taxation laws and expenses have grown about 4.2% and revenue less. The board could look at looking at using some reserves, but needing to keep some in there, but the board is likely look at keeping the levy flat and use the EAV growth to supplement the extra percentage increase. Mr. Austin stated that the Board is capped at how much it can levy, and going into the next fiscal year he will work with the Clerk’s Office to see what needs to be completed to remove the cap. Mr. Austin stated that previous administrations had used the surplus in the social security and pensions to cover the negative county general and he does not wish to budget in that manner. Mr. Austin stated that most of the salaries are funded through county general and they are on the natural increase; therefore, the board needs to be plan for that natural growth. Mr. Austin stated that by October 18th the rest of the Committee Members will be able to log into the software to start reviewing the budget. The rest of the county board will have a user view only screen to review the budget.

Mr. Finlay asked if the committee members would be assigned to a department as previously discussed. Mr. Austin stated that with the accessibility of the budget data he would not be assigning anyone to the different departments. Mr. Austin did ask the committee to help him funnel all questions through himself, so the department heads are e-mailed once with the questions. Mr. Fischer asked about the proposed labor contract agreements and if their requests are included into the budget. Mr. Austin stated yes.

Mr. Austin stated that other parts of the budget look good; however, he is worried about rising insurance claims. Mr. Austin stated there is currently over $700,000 in claims for weight loss drugs for employees on the health insurance plan and the board will need to review those types of drugs in the future. Mr. Austin stated that the county’s health insurance agents should have noticed these increased claims and presented them to administration.

Mr. Austin noted that the new software will start tracking capital requests, and he was not able to get it to track in this year’s fiscal year budget but is optimistic that it will be in the future. There has been past issues where large capital expenses are buried into the capital general budget and the purchase does not get used which can majorly impact the budget.

Mr. Niekamp reminded the committee of the requirement of publishing the budget by October 30, 2024. Mr. Niekamp also stated that all the new credit cards have arrived an in hands of the employees.

There being no other business the meeting adjourned at 7:18pm on October 14, 2024.

https://www.adamscountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10381/638676211557530000