Lake County Financial & Administrative Committee met April 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Frank called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Present 7 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark, Member Pedersen, Member Wasik and Member Wilke
Others present:
Marah Altenberg, County Board
Jon Altenberg, Vernon Township
Erin Cartwright-Weinstein, Circuit Clerk
Howard Cooper, Coroner
Mary Cunningham, County Board
Michael Danforth, County Board
Bill Durkin, County Board
Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office
Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office
Robert Glueckert, Chief County Assessor
Sandy Hart, County Board
Jim Hawkins, County Administrator's Office
Diane Hewitt, County Board
Holly Kim, Treasurer
Carl Kirar, Facilities and Construction Services
Angelo Kyle, County Board
John Light, Human Resources
Ann Maine, County Board
Vasyl Markus, Treasurer's Office
Judy Martini, County Board
Paul Mazzeno, Lake County Emergency Management Agency
Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office
Robin O'Connor, County Clerk
Brent Paxton, County Board
Mike Rummel, County Board
Julie Simpson, County Board
Lisle Stalter, State's Attorney's Office
Patrice Sutton, Finance and Administrative Services
Craig Taylor, County Board
Cassandra Torstenson, County Administrator's Office
Mary Ellen Vanderventer, Recorder of Deeds
Blanca Vela-Schneider, County Administrator's Office
Teri White, State's Attorney's Office
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Frank led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Addenda to the Agenda
There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.
4. Public Comment
4.1 20-0585
Public Comment.
Attachments: Public Comments FA 4.16.20.pdf
Blanca Vela-Schneider, County Administrator's Office, and Kristy Cechini, County Board Office, read 14 comments opposing and two comments supporting a potential delay in the due date or waiver of late fees related to property tax payments.
Due to the number of comments, not all public comments received could be read within the half hour time limit set by Lake County Rules of Order and Operational Procedures. All comments, including those not read, are attached.
Public Comments were presented by staff.
5. Chair's Remarks
Chair Frank thanked staff for their efforts in managing novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
6. Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
7. New Business
CONSENT AGENDA (Item 7.1)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 20-0542
Minutes from March 5, 2020.
Attachments: F&A 3.5.20 Minutes - Final.pdf
A motion was made by Member Clark, seconded by Member Vealitzek, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried unanimously.
Aye: 7 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark, Member Pedersen, Member Wasik and Member Wilke
REGULAR AGENDA
FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE
7.2 20-0541
Discussion and direction regarding compensation for County Board Members, County Board Chair, and Elected Officials.
Blanca Vela-Schneider, County Administrator's Office, and Kristy Cechini, County Board Office, read 14 comments opposing and two comments supporting a potential delay in the due date or waiver of late fees related to property tax payments.
Due to the number of comments, not all public comments received could be read within the half hour time limit set by Lake County Rules of Order and Operational Procedures. All comments, including those not read, are attached.
Public Comments were presented by staff.
5. Chair's Remarks
Chair Frank thanked staff for their efforts in managing novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
6. Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
7. New Business
CONSENT AGENDA (Item 7.1)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 20-0542
Minutes from March 5, 2020.
A motion was made by Member Clark, seconded by Member Vealitzek, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried unanimously.
Aye: 7 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark, Member Pedersen, Member Wasik and Member Wilke
REGULAR AGENDA FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE
7.2 20-0541
Discussion and direction regarding compensation for County Board Members, County Board Chair, and Elected Officials.
Mary Ellen Vanderventer, Recorder of Deeds, Erin Cartwright-Weinstein, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Howard Cooper, Coroner, acknowledged the difficulty that the board faces when considering salary increases for the offices whose terms begin in Fiscal Year 2021. Because state statute requires that the salaries for these offices be set for the entire four year term, they are requesting that salary increases be considered during the third and fourth year of these offices' terms. It was noted that stipends that elected officials get from the state cannot be considered when board members consider compensation per state statute.
Committee members generally supported a salary freeze for all elected officials terms, including county board members. County Board Chair Hart, recommended the elimination of the $3,000 Liquor Commissioner stipend that the County Board Chair receives. County Board Members Danforth and Barr requested that the Committee consider the elected officials' requests. Substantial discussion ensued.
There was a general consensus of the Committee to freeze the salary for the entire term of elected officials, freeze the salary for the entire term of County Board Members, and reduce the County Board Chair's salary with the elimination of the Liquor Commissioner stipend. Staff will bring forward resolutions for consideration at the next Financial and Administrative Committee meeting.
Compensation for County Board Members and Elected Officials was discussed.
7.3 20-0540
Discussion and direction regarding proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Policies.
Patrice Sutton, Finance and Administrative Services Director/Chief Financial Officer, reviewed the modifications to the proposed budget policies that were discussed at the last meeting, including how board members will bring forward new program requests (NPRs) and setting the minimum reserve to 29 percent.
Substantial discussion ensued regarding the minimum reserve and how it might impact the County's AAA bond rating. The general consensus of the committee is to set the minimum reserve at 29 percent.
Staff will bring forward a resolution for consideration at the next committee meeting.
The proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget and Policies was discussed.
7.5 20-0539
Discussion of Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget execution.
(This item was moved ahead of item 7.4)
Jim Hawkins, Deputy County Administrator, reported on the County's efforts to reduce expenses in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Non-mandatory purchases have been suspended and departments have been asked to find ways to reduce their FY 2020 budget by 20 percent based on expected lost revenue. Lake County could receive some funding from the federal and state government levels, but the funding will be earmarked specifically for COVID-19 related response activities and cannot replace lost revenue.
The Departments are planning FY 2020 budget modifications using several assumptions regarding COVID-19 and the financial impact to the County. The County will employ data driven strategies to address operations, budget reductions, County reserves, and personnel. The County may need to make difficult decisions on operations and personnel as the financial impact of the pandemic unfolds. Staff will keep the committee abreast of data as it becomes available. Discussion ensued.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget execution was discussed.
7.4 20-0546
Discussion regarding property tax relief.
Chair Frank noted that the County Board is cognizant of the economic impact that novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had to Lake County residents. The Committee received multiple comments from the public and local governmental agencies regarding the potential waiver of late fees. Discussion ensued regarding the legality of delaying property tax payments and/or waiving late payment fees and who would benefit from the delay or waiver. Holly Kim, Treasurer, reviewed the technical and logistic concerns that her office would have manage if the County Board authorized a waiver of late fees. Several members expressed concern regarding waiving late fees.
Gary Gibson, County Administrator, reviewed how other counties are handling property taxes. The Committee requested that the State's Attorney's Office provide a legal opinion on this issue.
The general consensus of the Committee was not to authorize late fee waivers or extend the deadline for property tax payments at this time.
Property tax relief was discussed.
8. Executive Session
The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.
9. Department Head Reports
9.1 20-0547
Department head reports.
There were no department head reports.
10. Public Comment
There were no additional comments related to matters not on the agenda.
11. County Administrator's Report
There was not report from Gary Gibson, County Administrator.
12. Members Remarks
County Board Member Durkin inquired whether all standing committees will be held later in the month. Gary Gibson, County Administrator, indicated that there is a likelihood of meetings but noted that only essential items will be brought forward for consideration, pursuant to the governor's executive order regarding remote attendance meetings.
County Board Member Barr noted that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has spent all of its $350,000,000,000 in stimulus funding.
13. Adjournment
Chair Frank adjourned the meeting at 12:18 p.m.
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