Kane County Public Service Committee met Sept. 21

By Philip Gonzales

Nov 24, 2023

Kane County Public Service Committee met Sept. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call To Order

Chairman Sanchez called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Anita Lewis

Board Member Vern Tepe

Board Member Rick Williams

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

REMOTE Board Member David Young

ABSENT Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Clifford Surges

Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates*, Daugherty*, Juby, Kenyon, Kious*, Molina*, Roth, Strathmann; Recorder Wegman; Treasurer staff Herrera; Sup. of Assess. Armstrong & staff Abell; ROE Supt. Dal Santo & staff Oliver, Hadjiev; VAC Supt. Zimmerman; Co. Clk. staff Duggan, Pollock; ASA Frank & Spec. ASA Shepro*; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt*; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public.

3. Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Sanchez announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Young attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

4. Approval of Minutes: August 17, 2023

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Vern Tepe

5. Public Comment (Agenda Items)

None.

6. Finance

A. Monthly Finance Reports

Chairman Sanchez stated the monthly financial reports were on file. No additional report was made.

7. Recorder

A. Monthly Report

Recorder Wegman stated the monthly report was on file. No additional report was made.

B. FY24 Budget - Recorder

Recorder Wegman presented her FY24 Budget. She stated the Recorder's Office is totally fee funded. The FY24 total revenue budget is $2,765,540, with a headcount of 11.5 employees. Employee salaries are increasing to $700,456. She shared that non-payroll expenses are very minimal. Wegman stated that the Recorder's Office deposit all revenue into the General fund, and only claim the necessary amount to fulfill the budget. The rest will go into the County, including the recording fees. The total expense budget is $708,696, which is a $5,866 decrease from FY23. Wegman addressed questions and comments from the Committee. (Madam Chairman Pierog arrived in-person at 9:04 a.m.)

8. Treasurer / Collector

A. Monthly Report

Treasurer staff Herrera stated the monthly report was on file. She stated that they are preparing for the tax sale publication. There will be 640 delinquent notices handed out at the end of the month. Herrera addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

9. Supervisor of Assessments

A. Monthly Report

Sup. of Assess. Armstrong stated the monthly report was on file. He stated that normal production regarding all Townships have been published. There is an increase in Board Review complaints, but it is below what they projected. He shared an overall summary of the monthly production reports. Armstrong introduced Michelle Abell, Appraisal Specialist, who has joined his staff. He reviewed her job duties. He addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

B. FY24 Budget - Supervisor of Assessments

Sup. of Assess. Armstrong provided his FY24 Budget presentation. He reviewed FY24 Budget Summary Second Level. There is a $68,000 increase in salaries and wages, which is an increase of $10,000 in overtime salary. Armstrong announced that they have sign up sheets for people who want to check their Homestead exemptions. He noted that the health care & dental contributions are going into their own funds. There was a significant reduction on legal printing. That budget went from $170K to $45K. He stated the employee mileage expense increased from $4,200 to $10K. Armstrong addressed that the Property Taxes Review Board will have their meetings in Springfield, which will increase mileage costs. He reported that the Board of Review's salaries and wages decreased from $66K from last year. Armstrong addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

10. Regional Office of Education

A. Monthly Reports

ROE Supt. Dal Santo stated the monthly report was on file. No additional report was made.

B. FY24 Budget - ROE

ROE Supt. Dal Santo provided her FY24 Budget presentation. She reviewed the ROE mission statement. She stated that this year they are asking for level budgeting. The total expense budget is $333,485 which is a $10,722 increase from last year. Dal Santo stated this past year they trained 1,801 bus drivers, and fingerprinted 4,394 people. They completed 2,250 school and home visits, and registered 3,180 new teachers. Lastly, she specified that they run the school program out of the Juvenile Detention center. Dal Santo addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

11. Veteran's Assistance Commission

A. Monthly Report

VAC Supt. Zimmerman stated the monthly report was on file. He stated they've crossed over the $5M mark in new benefits received for Kane County Veterans. He addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

B. FY 24 Budget -VAC

VAC Supt. Zimmerman presented the FY24 Budget presentation. He shared the organizational chart. Their office is entirely staffed by veteran employees. Zimmerman reviewed the budget increase of $41K from last year. He stated the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commissions should be funded at 0.02% of the County unless the VAC requests less. He shared a graph depicting workload versus budget from 2013 to 2023 showing a 418% increase. He listed the return of investments from 2022. The VA spent $150.5M in Kane county last year. Zimmerman addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

12. County Clerk

A. Monthly Report

Co. Clk. staff Duggan stated the monthly report was on file. He stated they are behind on last years revenue. They projected to meet the goal of $1.2M in revenue. He noted that they are always looking for grants. They received a check of $221K from the state of Illinois. Clk. staff Duggan addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

B. FY24 Budget - County Clerk

Co. Clk. staff Pollock presented the FY24 Budget presentation. Pollock reported there was an increase of $100,000 in expenses due to an election year. He stated that expenses are flat from last year. He spoke on costs and contents of different elections. Pollock reported an increase in mailing costs totaling $520K. He summarized the requirements for the"vote-by-mail"option. He announced that they are printing ballots in house going forward to save on contractual expenses. Pollock addressed questions or comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

13. Other Business

Tepe asked about the Treasurer's resolution included in his report. Herrara responded. This resolution was not on the agenda so it will go to the Committee.

14. Executive Session (If Needed)

None.

15. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

MOVER: Rick Williams

SECONDER: Vern Tepe

16. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

None.

17. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

MOVER: Vern Tepe

SECONDER: Rick Williams