Kane County Reporter

Kane County Human Services Committee met May 15

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call To Order

Chairman Surges called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT Board Member Clifford Surges

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Michael Kenyon

Board Member Anita Lewis

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe

REMOTE Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Monica Silva

Board Member Bill Tarver

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Bates*, Daugherty*, Gumz, Juby, Kious, Molina*, Roth, Strathmann*; HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo & staff Miller; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock & staff Lasky, Thompson, Braski, Files, Peters; ASA Frank*; Spec. ASA Shepro; Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson; KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert*; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt & staff Spitz; Auditor Wegman*; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson; PIO Mann; and members of the press and public.

3. Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Surges announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Linder, Silva, and Tarver attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

4. Approval of Minutes: April 10, 2024

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Anita Lewis

5. Public Comment (Agenda Items)

None.

6. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

Jennifer Laystrom, West Dundee, proposed the need for a Kane County women's home that would help struggling women get back on their feet. She noted that she has been a social worker for 10+ years. During her time as a hospital counselor, she realized how many women, ages 20-30, were homeless and needed help. Laystrom proposed that a women's home be opened and she would take the lead on running it.

She hopes the County could assist her in accomplishing this. She asked the Committee if there was a process to submit a written proposal to the County Board pertaining to this request.

Committee Chairman Surges advised Laystrom to reach out to Public Health Committee Chairman Cherryl Strathmann and KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson for more information on this proposal. Discussion ensued.

7. Monthly Financial Reports

A. Monthly Finance Reports

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

8. Department of Human Resource Management

A. Monthly Blue Cross Blue Shield Invoice

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo stated all of the reports were on file and within tolerance.

No additional reports were made.

Lobrillo introduced Emma, a 10-week old beagle-hound mix puppy, who is available for adoption at the Kane County Animal Control (KCAC). Lobrillo noted that moods can be elevated by the presence of an animal. Therefore, to bring some cheer to Committee meetings, the KCAC has been invited to showcase their available adoptions. Lobrillo explained that all those interested in interacting with the puppy/animal, would need to sign a waiver. KCAC Shelter Program & Operations Manager, Cassie Spitz, provided additional information on Emma.

(Madam Chairman Pierog arrived remotely at 9:09 a.m.)

B. Monthly BCBS and MERP Totals

C. Monthly Assured Partners Report

D. Monthly Applicants and Staff Changes

E. Monthly Workers Comp and Liability Reports

F. Annual Ethics Advisor Report

9. Compliance

A. Monthly Training Report

10. Old Business

A. Amending Resolution 23-518 Approving the Kane County Per Diem Meal Rates for Calendar Year 2024

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo stated that this resolution originated from the Auditor's Office. She explained that this policy would require purchase receipts to be provided to the Auditor's Office in order to receive a reimbursement. The recent Per Diem Policy did not require receipts and employees were able to take a lump sum for the day, whether they spent the money on meals or not. This amendment would change the wording of "Per Diem" to "Maximum Meal Reimbursement". Lobrillo noted that the dollar amounts allotted for each meal has not changed, just the terminology used within the Kane County Per Diem Meal Rates. She provided Kane County's purchase data from 2023. Lobrillo, Auditor Wegman, and Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson addressed questions and comments from the Committee. (Committee Member Allan arrived in-person at 9:15 a.m.) Much discussion ensued. The Committee decided to hold this resolution until a future Human Services Committee meeting for further research.

RESULT: TABLED

B. Creating Illinois Residency Requirements for County Employees

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo stated that when looking into this process of creating Illinois residency requirements for County employees, the County needed to limit the non-routine activities to help keep expenses and risk under control, in which this ordinance would do. Lobrillo addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Finance and Budget Committee

MOVER: Anita Lewis

SECONDER: Bill Tarver

AYE: Clifford Surges, Michael Linder, Deborah Allan, Michael Kenyon, Anita Lewis, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe

11. New Business

Chairman Surges moved to agenda item 11C for explanation and vote.

A. Authorizing Job Title and Pay Grade Changes for the Information Technologies Department

Chairman Surges requested permission from the Committee to discuss item 11C before 11A and 11B. The Committee obliged.

Surges explained the large task of accomplishing the County's internal equity study and grading positions. He stated that at the time the internal study was completed, he knew changes would have to be made as problems arose. He noted that the Human Services Committee has tried to align County Codes in a respective and efficient manner, such as the grading system within the internal equity study. ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock provided additional information on the following two resolutions. Much discussion ensued.

KC Administration Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Administration Committee

MOVER: Michael Kenyon

SECONDER: Deborah Allan

AYE: Clifford Surges, Michael Linder, Deborah Allan, Michael Kenyon, Anita Lewis, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe

B. Authorizing a Pay Adjustment for Equity Within a Pay Grade for a Promotion in the Building Management Department 

KC Administration Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Administration Committee

MOVER: Deborah Allan

SECONDER: Michael Kenyon

AYE: Clifford Surges, Michael Linder, Deborah Allan, Michael Kenyon, Anita Lewis, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe

C. Authorizing the Issuance of a Request for Proposals for External Compensation Analysis and Review of Position Grading

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo explained that at the last Human Services Committee meeting, it was decided that the County should proceed with an External Compensation Analysis. The Human Resources Department looked at other compensation analysis from other surrounding counties and the cost for such a study, in order to equip Kane County on the necessary information needed.

Lobrillo stated that a Scope of Work was attached to the agenda for today's meeting, that includes both external compensation analysis based on comparable agencies, and a view of the County's grading structure for compatibility with neighboring counties. After the full review, she stated that this kind of study could cost no more than $150K. Based on the timelines of other counties' studies, this could take about six months to complete. Lobrillo explained that this Committee needs to consider two items pertaining to this compensation analysis. The Committee must decide to include this expense in the FY2025 Budget, or develop a budget adjustment to include it within the FY2024 budget. Lobrillo and Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Chairman Surges requested Hopkinson include this expense within the County FY2025 Budget discussions.

The Committee moved back to agenda item 11A.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Finance and Budget Committee

MOVER: Anita Lewis

SECONDER: Deborah Allan

AYE: Clifford Surges, Michael Linder, Deborah Allan, Michael Kenyon, Anita Lewis, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe

12. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Deborah Allan

13. Executive Session (if needed)

None.

14. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

MOVER: Michael Kenyon

SECONDER: Anita Lewis

This meeting was adjourned at 10:00 AM.

https://www.kanecountyil.gov/MeetingMinutes/7060/24-05-15.pdf