Kendall County Committee of the Whole met Sept. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Budget Presentations
Call to Order: Chairman Gryder called the meeting to order at 8:32a.m.
Board Members Present: Scott Gryder - Here, Judy Gilmour - Here, Matt Kellogg - Yes, Matthew Prochaska - Here, Amy Cesich - Present, Robyn Vickers – Here
Member Scott Gengler arrived at 8:35a.m.
Board Members Absent: Elizabeth Flowers, Tony Giles, Audra Hendrix
Others Present: Latreese Caldwell, Scott Koeppel
Chairman Gryder turned the meeting over to Finance Chair Matt Kellogg for the Budget Presentation portion.
Ms. Caldwell provided a quick overview of the current levy and general fund deficits, the PTELL Calculations, the General Fund Revenue Summary, and the General Fund Expenditure Summary. Ms. Caldwell reminded the committee that the budget parameters set were a flat percent increase for all departments/offices, and a 2.5 present increase for salary increases. Ms. Caldwell reported the current deficit as $3,137,146.
BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
Chris Mehochko, Regional Office of Education – Mr. Mehochko reviewed his proposed budget with the committee and stated that the majority of his budget is salary and benefits. Mr. Mehochko stated that Grundy County pays all non-personnel expenses, and Kendall reimburses their percentage, and Grundy pays forty-percent of salary, IMRF and SS expenses. Kendall County pays all medical and dental benefits, and Grundy reimburses their percentage. Kendall pays sixty-percent of salary, IMRF and SS expenses.
Roger Bonuchi, Emergency Management Agency – Director Bonuchi reviewed the salary increases for the Director and the Deputy Director. Discussion on the reason for the increase for the Deputy Director over the Board’s recommended 2.5 percent, and moving the Deputy Director salary to the Nuclear grant fund, instead of the EMA grant fund, and the closing of Dresden Nuclear facility in 2021, and how that might affect the Nuclear grant to EMA. Mr. Bonuchi stated that with the closing, they would still be operating the Emergency Management Agency, and not be required to conduct drills every two years. Regarding replacement of the Nuclear Grant funding, Mr. Koeppel stated that the ongoing cost is the Deputy Director salary, IMRF, SSN and benefits, and they will continue looking at IEMA and other funding sources after the end date of the nuclear grant. Member Cesich reminded the committee that only a portion of the total salary for the Deputy Director is paid out of the grant, and the IMRF, SSN and benefits are paid out of the general fund. Ms. Page stated that she does have a great amount of additional work with EMA, but could see hiring a part- time person as the Deputy EMA Director in a few years. Discussion of the $60,000 IEMA grant funding and increased revenue in 2021.
Jennifer Gilbert, CASA – Ms. Gilbert updated the committee on changes in the system due to Covid. The program cancelled all fundraising events for the year. She reported they have approximately 100 children in the program now, and there is a change in the reason for children coming into care due to increased danger, violent acts, police involvement, and immediate need. There is also a major need for additional volunteers and training to meet the needs of the children. They’ve conduct most service via zoom meetings on a weekly basis, unless the child did not have internet access, the Director or Volunteer Director would do an in-person visit outside with the child/family.
Ms. Gilbert said they will now have five people working in their 12’ x 12’ office, and there is no privacy, or social distancing possible, or space for children to visit with their family in a supervised area. They are not allowed to utilize the Courthouse after the business hours due to lack of security and public access. Ms. Gilbert has reached out to the Village of Oswego but was told the Village didn’t think it would be a good fit for that purpose. Ms. Gilbert stated that eighty percent of their budget is only possible through fundraising efforts and generous donations. Ms. Gilbert stated they will be hosting a virtual and a zero 5K race online, as well as an online Christmas Gift Basket raffle prior to the holidays. Both can be found on the CASA website. Ms. Gilbert also stated that Kendall County Board funding is critical to CASA Kendall County’s ability to hold volunteer training, recruiting efforts, and advocate at the highest possible level for Kendall County children.
Eric Weis, State’s Attorney’s Office – Eric Weis brought three areas to the attention of the Committee. Mr. Weis first stated that he is supportive of the Child Advocacy Services Center, the Domestic Violence Response Team up and running since January 1, 2020, with one dedicated detective to the program with no cost to the County or Sheriff’s Office, and the last is his support of transferring the GPS Monitoring System to the Sheriff’s Office from Court Services. Mr. Weis stated that although these do not affect his budget, they do affect his office directly. Mr. Weis reported a three percent increase across the board for his staff, and the addition of an annual “uniform allowance” for his Assistant State’s Attorneys due to the court dress policy requirements. Mr. Weis also explained the stipends that he pays to his ASA’s for being on-call for one week, weekend bond calls, and for the civil division to attend County meetings on a regular basis.
Chad Lockman, Veteran’s Assistance Commission of Kendall County (VACKC) – Mr. Lockman stated that the efficiency of the VAC continues to increase, more veterans are being served, there is an enormous amount of money brought into the County through veterans benefits, the number of veterans asking for assistance has decreased due to the job program through collaboration with local chambers.
This year’s levy request is thirteen percent less or $350,961. Due to Covid, there were eight additional veterans that came to VAC for assistance, four are back to work, and the other four are being assisted to some extent. During Covid, they were only been transporting veterans to Hines or the Clinic when absolutely necessary as determined by their physician. They are now back to full operation.
Kendall County Veterans will have been awarded over $1.5 million in new monies alone (retroactive benefits). The annual amount brought into the County through veterans as a result of VAC work is $16.5 million, or $50.43 per tax dollar levy to the VAC.
Mr. Lockman presented a salary comparison of local Superintendent salaries to justify his salary request for himself by 4.8 percent, and the Coordinator by 8.24 percent, and zero percent for the drivers. Discussion on the driver’s current salary, reasoning for not raising their salary, and funds available if they are requested for additional transportation.
Jim Smiley, Facilities Management – Mr. Smiley reviewed the proposed budget for this year, stating there is a 19 percent increase from last year primarily due to extra cleaning and extra supplies due to Covid; and the addition of a Assistant Director/Project Manager position.
Smiley reported that most of the utilities are projected to increase due to the moving of internet to his budget, and he anticipates the phone costs to decrease with the new ITB phone system and the use of the iCloud. Natural gas will remain flat, electric costs with the new solar field are not expected to have the full savings until the third year. Estimated costs for the first year of $63,000, second year of $134,000 and third year of $169,000. There is an anticipated decrease of all utilities of $1,250. overall. Smiley shows a projected electric cost overall from $531,450 to $386,630 by 2024. The Demand Response 5-year program for generator use on peak days provided $31,000 in savings in the first two years.
Discussion on the requested Assistant Director/Project Manager with an estimated salary of $70,000 (not including benefits), and internal resources that could bring savings to the County. Mr. Koeppel stated that this new employee could also assist with Technology projects as well, and this is part of the succession planning and emergency response planning for the future of this Department, and possibly postponing hiring for 6-months. This would be a non-union management position with supervisory responsibilities.
Vicki Chuffo, Public Defender – Ms. Chuffo reported a proposed three percent increase in salaries based on what the State’s Attorney is asking, and the other line items will remain flat. Ms. Chuffo’s salary increased because the State’s Attorney’s salary increased.
Robyn Ingemunson, Circuit Clerk – Robyn Ingemunson reported that with the pandemic, the fines and fees have decreased substantially.
Discussion on the substantial salary increase for the deputy clerks, the decrease of case filings, Ms. Ingemunson stated that she did not furlough any employees during the shut-down because the workload remained the same with the addition of e-filings, extra mailings, and extra projects such as records disposal.
Ms. Ingemunson stated the Court Automation fund after salaries and maintenance fees to JANO, would have fallen to $39,000, causing her to move all salaries but two Child Support employees, back to the General Fund. Ms. Ingemunson reported a three percent salary increase for non-union employees, but thinks that everything else remained the same.
Alice Elliott, Court Services/Probation – Ms. Elliott stated that she doesn’t have a lot of changes this year, but began with the Family Violence Coordinating Counsel which is simply a pass-through.
Ms. Elliott reviewed the Probation Service Fee fund anticipates lower revenues because offenders are now paying directly to the provider and not to Court Services. Ms. Elliott reported that AOIC allocations increased to $786,830, an increase to the General Fund of $274,000 over last year’s allocation. This is the result of moving County funded positions to AOIC funded positions, and she anticipates moving additional positions over to AOIC when possible.
Discussion on the transfer of the GPS Monitoring Officer position switching from Court Services to the Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Elliott stated that in the domestic violence situations, they have more that are ending up on GPS monitor, and that has increased dramatically during the quarantine and Covid. The increases in GPS monitoring has caused concerns about victim safety in the community. Ms. Elliott said that the mission is facility behavioral change with offenders to promote public safety, or address behaviors that are bringing someone into the system, and the Sheriff’s Office is better suited to respond to victim safety quickly in the community. It has been her contention that Court Services is not providing the level of safety for these domestic violence cases, although the State’s Attorney’s Office continues to keep the victims engaged as part of the Domestic Violence Response Team. Ms. Elliott stated that after meeting with the state, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Judiciary Office, they are all on the belief that it is better for the Sheriff’s Office to take on this project.
Ms. Elliott stated that the County would retain the AOIC grant funding if she is allowed to redirect services to target high risk juvenile offenders that can work through and address those high risk cases that are causing the increased detention dollars, and are the people more likely to be in juvenile placement. If the GPA position went to the Sheriff’s Office budget, she would not need to hire an additional employee to serve in this Juvenile area.
Sheriff Baird stated that the position in the Sheriff’s Office would be a civilian coordinator exempt non-union position, however all of the responsibilities qualify and they would have to use some of the Sheriff’s Office staff to accomplish all of these responsibilities. The estimated salary would be $60,000.
Judge Robert Pilmer, Judicial Office/Law Library/Drug Court –Judge Pilmer stated that the Jury Commissioner budget shows a small salary increase. They have reinstated the jury trials, but have been limited to the number they can have at one time, and continue to social distance and limit the number of potential jurors that are in the same area together.
Judge Pilmer said there was a slight increase in the Bailiff line in accordance with the County’s guidelines, and there was also a small increase in the salary for the Court Administrator.
Judge Pilmer reported there was an increase in the Conference line and since Kendall County will not host the 2nd Appellate Conference semi-annual conference in November 2020 due to the Pandemic, they still have the obligation to host this event in the future. Judge Pilmer said there is a decrease in the Law Library fund, as discussed in prior years. They are discussing an increase of fees that are assessed by the Circuit Clerk on new filings to cover some of this fund.
Judge Pilmer stated that the Mental Health Treatment Court application for certification has been submitted to the Administrative Office of Illinois Court, and with approval they hope to begin in October or November that court process.
Judge Pilmer reported that the Drug Court is fully funded by the AOI grant, and working well. Many of their operations were transferred online during the beginning of Covid, but is now fully operational.
Discussion on the FY20 Pre-paid postage budget of $25,500 and why it wasn’t utilized in that fiscal year. Judge Pilmer will research and report back to the committee.
Liz Holmberg, 708 Mental Health Board – Ms. Holmberg introduced herself as the acting President of the 708 Mental Health Board, and said that by state statute they are responsible for distributing funds on behalf of the County to eleven agencies for direct services for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. Ms. Holmberg stated they moved the money from the Oswego Seniors to the Senior Services, Association, due to some transitional issues, and they are going to encourage them to submit an application next year. They felt the Oswego Senior Center wouldn’t be able to utilize the funds for direct services this year due to the transition.
Ms. Holmberg said they are a group of seven volunteers and are seeking one additional person to serve on the Board. Ms. Holmberg said that one of their goals is to improve the grant application and have it more aligned with what other communities are using. One other goal is working to get a good timeline so that money is requested, mid-year reports are completed, and everything is aligned with when money is actually received by the agencies and everyone is onboard and up to speed so they can make a meaningful contribution. Ms. Holmberg will email the agency requests to the committee for review as they consider the budgets. The Board also hopes to visit the agencies on a routine basis.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 2:06p.m. due to lack of a quorum.
https://www.co.kendall.il.us/Home/ShowDocument?id=18316
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