Kane County Reporter

Dewitt County Finance Committee met Oct. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Camille Redman – Chair, David Newberg, Terry Ferguson, Melonie Tilley and Lance Reece. Also, present Dee Rentmeister, County Administrator.

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:

 Motion by Newberg, 2nd by Tilley to approve the August and September minutes. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Motion by Ferguson, 2nd by Tilley to approve the claims. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Julie Floyd, county auditor, was present to review the proposed FY21 budget and levies. Discussion on increasing the losses and claims line item in the Liability budget due to the recent receipt of two lawsuits against the county. Committee decided to raise the losses and claims line item by $100,000. No other changes were made to the proposed budget. Julie indicated that the proposed county levy rate would be.07653 and the proposed ambulance rate would be.0898. Julie will provide the proposed tax levies rates after double checking figures before the county board meeting. Discussion on where the money would come from if the county chose to have the 75 acres at the marina appraised. This expense could come from the economic development fund budget. Motion by Ferguson, 2nd by Tilley to forward the proposed FY2021 budget and levies to the full board to put on public display/review. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Motion by Tilley, 2nd by Reece to recommend to the full board to approve the Benefit Policy for Jail Administrator effective 12-1-2020. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Review/discussion on the Intergovernmental Agreement to fund the DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties Educational Service Region. This agreement would be in effect thru fiscal year 2025 with the County’s contribution of 9%. For fiscal year 2021 this would be the same amount as in fiscal year 2020 - $36,990. Motion by Ferguson, 2nd by Newberg to recommend to the full board to approve the Intergovernmental Agree to fund the DeWitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean Counties Educational Service Region thru fiscal year 2025. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Discussion on purchasing laptop computers for the County Administrator and other departments to use as needed due to the increase in online trainings and meetings due to the COVID pandemic. Currently there is a backlog of orders for laptop computers. Can purchase one laptop now for the County Administrator for $900.00. The CURE program grant money could be used for these purchases. Will look into the cost of 12 more computers and their availability and bring the information to the full board. Motion by Tilley, 2nd by Reece to purchase a laptop computer for the County Administrator for $900.00. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Due to the upcoming retirement of the full-time public defender and the Judge appointing the current assistant state’s attorney to fill this position there are cases that the new public defender will not be able to handle because of conflicts. The conflict cases will need to be assigned to the contractual conflict public defenders. Kevin Hammer has indicted that he would take on additional conflict cases for $7500. This additional cost would come out of this year’s budget. Motion by Tilley, 2nd by Ferguson to recommend to the full board to approve an additional $7500 to Kevin Hammer to take on additional conflict cases in the public defender’s office due to the conflict of the newly appointed public defender. Voice vote, motion carried.

 The animal control administrator/officer has tendered her resignation effective October 30, 2020. She has taken the vacant janitorial position with the maintenance department. Motion by Reece, 2nd by Tilley to recreate the Animal Control Administrator/Officer position with a starting wage of $34,000. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Discussion on approving additional paid time leave for employees diagnosed with COVID above what the FFCRA paid leave mandate requires.

 Motion by Ferguson, 2nd by Tilley to go into executive session at 6:16 p.m. for personnel. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Motion by Newberg, 2nd by Tilley to return to regular session at 6:39 p.m. Voice vote, motion carried.

 Discussion on contracting with Chastain & Associates to provide construction engineering oversite for the roof replacement project. This cost would not exceed $3000.00. Motion by Reece, 2nd by Newberg to contract with Chastain & Associates to provide construction engineering oversite for the roof replacement project at a cost not to exceed $3000.00. Voice vote, motion carried.

 The county’s current webmaster is retiring. Will need to find a replacement webmaster company prior to March 2021.

 Discussion on having the board meeting as a virtual meeting. Committee agreed that having hybrid meetings, i.e. some in person and some virtual, doesn’t work. Meetings need to be either completely virtual or completely in person. Thursday board meeting will be in person.

 Motion by Tilley, 2nd by Newberg to adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Voice vote, motion carried.

COMMITTEE ACTION:

Approve August and September minutes.

Approve claims.

Forward the proposed FY2021 budget and levies to the full board put on public display/review. Recommend to the full board to approve the Benefit Policy for Jail Administrator effective 12-1- 2020.

Recommend to the full board to approve the Intergovernmental Agree to fund the DeWitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean Counties Educational Service Region thru fiscal year 2025. Purchase a laptop computer for the County Administrator for $900.00.

Recommend to the full board to approve an additional $7500 to Kevin Hammer to take on additional conflict cases in the public defender’s office due to the conflict of the newly appointed public defender.

Recreate the Animal Control Administrator/Officer position with a starting wage of $34,000. Contract with Chastain & Associates to provide construction engineering oversite for the roof replacement project at a cost not to exceed $3000.00.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO FULL BOARD:

Forward the proposed FY2021 budget and levies to the full board put on public display/review. Recommend to the full board to approve the Benefit Policy for Jail Administrator effective 12-1- 2020.

Recommend to the full board to approve the Intergovernmental Agree to fund the DeWitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean Counties Educational Service Region thru fiscal year 2025. Recommend to the full board to approve an additional $7500 to Kevin Hammer to take on additional conflict cases in the public defender’s office due to the conflict of the newly appointed public defender.

https://www.dewittcountyill.com/minutes/2020/committee/10-19-2020fiance.pdf