PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD ADAMS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Transcription

1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD ADAMS COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY OF ADAMS) STATE OF ILLINOIS) The County Board of Adams County, Illinois met at the Courthouse, Quincy, Illinois, on Monday, at 7:00 P.M., pursuant to recess. PRESENT: Mike McLaughlin, Chairman Georgia Volm, County Clerk Mr. Hancox gave the invocation which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Chairman McLaughlin called the meeting to order. The County Clerk called roll and the following members were present: John Heidbreder, John Johnson, Joe Wand, Richard Baum, Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Don McCleary, Seldon Totsch, Dave Bockhold, Melvin Niekamp, Bob Scott, Richard Reis, Jerry Smith, Connie Sparks, Billy Bennett, Bill Cole, Randall Reis, Dave Bellis, Todd Duesterhaus, and Mike McLaughlin. Total present: 20. Absent was John Hibbert. Total absent: one. Chairman McLaughlin declared a quorum present. Officeholders, department heads, and/or their representatives also present were: Ms. Zimmerman from the Supervisor of Assessments Office, Mr. Simon from the Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Barnard from the State s Attorneys Office, Mr. Hamilton from the Coroner s Office, Mr. Klusmeyer from the Highway Department, Mr. Rowlands from Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1, Ms. Reddington from the Treasurer s Office, Ms. Bluhm from the Health Department, Mr. Frankenhoff from Information Technology, Sheriff Fischer from the Sheriff s Office, Mr. Downey from the Public Defender s Office, Mr. Hancox from the Probation Department, and Mr. Davis from the Ambulance Department Finance Committee Report (Mr. Heidbreder) Insurance Without objection insurance was considered out of agenda order. Mr. Heidbreder moved to approve the Finance Committee s recommendation that the county stay with Illinois County s Risk Management Trust (ICRMT) for worker s compensation and general liability insurance for FY 2007/2008. Mr. Bellis seconded the motion.

2 Page 2 Discussion The county s workers compensation insurance, general liability insurance, etc. is currently funded through a pool sponsored by United Council Counties of Illinois (UCCI). The Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners have, within the last two years, started a self-funded pool for the purpose of providing competitive rates for worker s compensation, general liability, in-land marine, etc. Last year Adams County was asked to join the pool, known as CIRMA, and sponsored by the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners. The Finance Committee recently reviewed the proposal offered by CIRMA, as well as the proposal from our current carrier. The proposal from CIRMA requires a three year commitment upon enrollment. CIRMA s cost to the county would be approximately $50, higher the first year than the proposal provided by our current carrier. If, after several years, the financial reserves in CIRMA have grown, Adams County would have the potential to share in a premium reduction. At this time CIRMA cannot provide a forecast for potential growth; thus the Finance Committee recommends that Adams County remain with the current carrier. Motion to approve the Finance Committee s recommendation that the county stay with Illinois County s Risk Management Trust (ICRMT) for worker s compensation and general liability insurance for FY 2007/2008 adopted BUDGET PRESENTATION Mr. Heidbreder moved to approve the budget presented to the county board members at this evening s meeting. Highlights of the budget, as well as amendments to the budget presented, are listed below. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. COUNTY GENERAL EXPENSES: County General Administration The $742, expense in line item # , Bond Repayment Fund, reflects the amount mandated by statute. The actual reduction in funds will be substantially less. County General Capital Expenditures Without objection, Mr. Heidbreder moved to include a line item for two washers and two dryers in the Juvenile Detention Center in the amount of $2, Maintenance Department Without objection, Mr. Heidbreder moved to remove line item # , T1 Communications Connection, from the Maintenance Department s budget. The $8, reduction results in a budget of $452, in the Maintenance Department.

3 Page 3 Supervisor of Assessments An additional $2.00/hour will be paid to one employee who will act as the Chief Deputy to the Supervisor of Assessments. This represents an approximate increase of $4,000.00/year. County Treasurer An additional $3.00/hour will be paid to the Chief Deputy, or an additional $2.00/hour will be paid to another employee whose responsibility will be that of an Accounting Specialist. Recorder s Office Expenses for revenue stamps have been conservatively stated in the FY 2007/2008 budget. If additional funds are needed during the fiscal year, a transfer of appropriations from contingency should be accepted since the sale of revenue stamps generates revenue for the county. County Sheriff S.A.F.E. Program The $90, budget in the Sheriff s S.A.F.E. Program represents the county s expense for the department. Rural school districts match the county s expense. County Sheriff Courts & Legal The salaries for the court security officers includes an allowance provided to our officers whose salaries have been lower than the salaries of their peers in surrounding counties our size. County Sheriff Law Enforcement For future tracking purposes new account numbers/line item numbers will be created for the salaries of the sergeants, as well as for the longevity pay for deputies. State s Attorney The salaries for the senior assistant attorneys in the State s Attorneys Office have been increased to reflect similar wages paid to senior attorneys in the Public Defender s Office. Public Defenders Without objection, Mr. Heidbreder moved to increase line item # , Misc. Expense, by $4, from $13, as proposed to $18, This was an oversight in the original draft of the budget. Probation Department The budget includes $16, for a probation assistant. County General/Total Expenses After the above amendments, the total expenses in county general for FY 2007/2008 is $12,722,958.00, a reduction of $2, from the original packet presented at this evening s meeting BUDGET DISCUSSION/AMENDMENTS Comprehensive Plan Expenses After some discussion about the necessity of expensing $50, in line item # , Comprehensive Plan Expenses, Mr. Bockhold moved to approve a transfer of $45, from line item # , Comprehensive Plan Expenses, to line item # , Contingency, in the FY 2007/2008 budget.

4 Page 4 Mr. Totsch seconded the motion. Roll call taken to approve a transfer of $45, from line item # , Comprehensive Plan Expenses, to line item # , Contingency, in the FY 2007/2008 budget. Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Wand, McCleary, Totsch, Bockhold, Niekamp, Scott, Richard Reis, Smith, Sparks, Bennett, Cole, Randall Reis, Bellis, and Duesterhaus. Total 15. Those voting no were Johnson, Baum, Peter, Obert, and McLaughlin. Total five. Absent was Hibbert. Total one. Motion to approve a transfer of $45, from line item # , Comprehensive Plan Expenses, to line item # , Contingency, in the FY 2007/2008 budget adopted. Sheriff s Department/Siren Control Boxes Mr. Peter moved to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $1, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, PA640 (Siren Control Box). Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Discussion Mr. Peter and Sheriff Fischer explained that the requested expense for the control boxes is due to the expense for the four new squad cars and one van which are in the FY 2007/2008 budget. In the past when new vehicles were purchased three (3) boxes, a control box, a siren box, and an aerial box, were required for the new vehicle. The cost of the three individual boxes is slightly higher than the cost of the one control box needed today. With five vehicles being replaced, the purchase of five single-unit control boxes was also requested. Roll call taken to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $1, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, PA640 (Siren Control Box). Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Johnson, Wand, Baum, Peter, Obert, McCleary, Totsch, Bockhold, Niekamp, Scott, Richard Reis, Smith, Sparks, Bennett, Cole, Randall Reis, Bellis, Duesterhaus, and McLaughlin. Total 20. Those voting no were none. Total zero. Absent was Hibbert. Total one. Motion to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $1, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, PA640 (Siren Control Box) adopted. Sheriff s Department/Dictaphones Mr. Peter moved to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $ in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Dictaphones. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call taken to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $ in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Dictaphones. Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Johnson, Wand, Baum, Peter, Obert, McCleary, Totsch, Bockhold, Niekamp, Scott, Richard Reis, Smith, Sparks, Bennett, Cole, Randall Reis, Bellis, Duesterhaus, and McLaughlin. Total 20. Those voting no were none. Total zero. Absent was Hibbert. Total one.

5 Page 5 Motion to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $ in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Dictaphones adopted. Sheriff s Department/Tasers Mr. Peter moved to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s department to include $16, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Tasers for Jail & Deputies. Mr. Duesterhaus seconded the motion. Discussion Concerns were voiced about potential liability issues which the county could face if tasers are used by deputies in Adams County. The concerns voiced by county board members were based on national media stories which have recently highlighted several deaths occurring after tasers were used by law enforcement agencies. Mr. Barnard has been privy to many reports regarding the use of tasers and he shared information from the reports with the county board members. He indicated that tasers are commonly used, and they are a valuable tool for law enforcement, especially when the alternative is deadly force. Tasers are tools, and like any other tool, training is necessary. When training is properly given before their use, they are an incredibly value enforcement tool. Without tasers, deadly force (such as a bullet) is the alternative, and a bullet does poise a potential liability issue for the county. Can you pick up the paper every now and then and read of somebody dying from a taser? Yes, but the reality of tasers is that they are a valuable intermediary tool that prevents the enforcement from going to deadly force. Tasers do prevent more dangerous encounters, and potentially more costly encounters. Roll call taken to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $16, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Tasers for Jail & Deputies. Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Johnson, Wand, Peter, Obert, McCleary, Totsch, Bockhold, Niekamp, Scott, Richard Reis, Smith, Sparks, Bennett, Cole, Randall Reis, Bellis, Duesterhaus, and McLaughlin. Total 19. Those voting no were Baum. Total one. Absent was Hibbert. Total one. Motion to approve a prior request from the Sheriff s Department to include $16, in capital expenditures under a new line item # XXXX, Tasers for Jail & Deputies adopted. Court Security/Metal Detectors The Sheriff s Department originally requested $70, in capital expenditures for a new metal detector. At this time both the Finance Committee and the Public Health & Safety Committee recommend that such purchase be reviewed and the request be submitted at a future date. Sheriff s Department/M-4 s for 30 Squad Cars Mr. Wand moved to reduce line item # XXXX, M-4 s for 30 Squad Cars, in the Sheriff s Department from $40, to $24, Mr. Scott seconded the motion.

6 Page 6 Discussion Priority and liability concerns were voiced by county board members with regard to the purchase of thirty M-4s. If tasers reduce the liability and deadly force, do officers need to be equipped with M-4s as well? Roll call taken to reduce line item # XXXX, M-4 s for 30 Squad Cars, in the Sheriff s Department from $40, to $24, Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Johnson, Wand, Baum, Peter, Obert, McCleary, Totsch, Bockhold, Niekamp, Scott, Richard Reis, Sparks, Bennett, and Cole. Total 15. Those voting no were Smith, Randall Reis, Bellis, Duesterhaus, and McLaughlin. Total five. Absent was Hibbert. Total one. Motion to reduce line item # XXXX, M-4 s for 30 Squad Cars, in the Sheriff s Department from $40, to $24, adopted. Ambulance/Assistant Director The budget, as proposed, includes the salary for a new position, Assistant Director/Ambulance Department. One employee whose salary range is currently in the range of $38, is retiring and will not be replaced. The projected salary for the new assistant is approximately $45,000.00, a $7, increase in the FY 2007/2008 budget. As the county moves forward the necessity for public education, ambulance staff training, etc. is apparent. In addition, a new automated system has/will result in a reduction in paperwork, and thus there is no longer a need to replace the staff member currently retiring. County General/Balance After the above amendments, the current projected revenues are $11,745, in county general. The current projected expenses in county general are $12,725,258.00, a deficit of approximately $1,000, Approximately $160, in the expense line items is surplus for the bond repayment. An additional $400,000 will offset the deficit because of increased property values in Adams County. The remainder of the deficit can be funded with county general reserves. Roll call taken to approve the FY 2007/2008 budget as amended above. Those voting to approve were Heidbreder, Johnson, Wand, Baum, Peter, Obert, McCleary, Bockhold, Scott, Richard Reis, Smith, Sparks, Bennett, Cole, Randall Reis, Bellis, Duesterhaus, and McLaughlin. Total 18. Those voting no were Totsch and Niekamp. Total two. Absent was Hibbert. Total one. Motion to approve the FY 2007/2008 budget as amended above adopted. Labor Mr. Johnson reported that progress has been made in labor negotiations and the labor committee will provide a report at the next county board meeting The hour of adjournment: 8:15 P.M. Chairman McLaughlin moved that the meeting be adjourned until Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. in the county board room