Will County Finance Committee met Aug. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Chair Kenneth E. Harris called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Kenneth E. Harris | Chair | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Gloria Dollinger | District 10 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Mark Ferry | District 13 (D - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Mike Fricilone | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Jim Moustis | District 2 (R - Frankfort) | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | District 9 (D - Joliet) | Late |
Present from State's Attorney's Office: M. Tatroe.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mrs. Dollinger led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Finance Committee - Regular Meeting - Jul 7, 2020 10:00 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)
SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller
ABSENT: Ventura
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of Will County FY2019 Financial Records
(Nick Cavaliere/Karen Hennessy)
Mr. Nick Cavaliere reviewed the information in the agenda packet.
Ms. Ventura arrived at this juncture.
2. Authorizing the County Executive's Finance Department to Reimburse the Village of Crete for Sales Tax Monies Erroneously Sent to Will County (Karen Hennessy)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)
SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ventura
3. Appropriating CARES Act Grant Funds in the County Clerks FY2020 Budget (Will County Clerk and/or Will County Finance Director)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Jacqueline Traynere, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ventura
4. Appropriating Illinois State Board of Elections FY21 Postage Grant (Will County Clerk and/or Will County Finance Director)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ventura
5. Authorizing County Executive to Accept Additional Funds Granted by the Department of Human Services/SUPR to the Will County FY21 Illinois Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths (IPDO) (Kathleen Burke)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ventura
6. Update of Sales Tax and Cannabis Tax Collections
(Karen Hennessy)
Ms. Hennessy reviewed the information in the agenda packet.
Ms. Ventura asked the RTA and MFT funds are up, even though they have to go into a separate account, and the sales tax revenues are down; how are we budgeting for that? Will we be moving money from contingency, especially if it is the $2.6 million? Are we cutting areas? Is there money in the RTA that could have been moved? Can you explain what our plan is?
Ms. Hennessy relied the $2.6 million is an estimate. Currently, the expenses are not exceeding revenue to the point we think there is going to be a problem. We are very conservative on the revenue side and just as conservative on the expense side. In the budget meetings, we asked departments to watch their spending. We have the CARES money which will offset some of our expenditures for COVID items. The RTA and MFT are separate and restricted in use. The sales tax impacts the corporate fund and are general purpose. I am not sure what we need to do at this point other than have departments think twice before making big purchases. Having the CARES money available gives us a cushion, but it cannot be used for just anything. Ms. Howard will be considering the trends we are seeing as she plans the FY2021 budget.
Ms. Howard stated I am watching the FY20 budget to actual results very closely. As of June 30th, we were in a good position. A letter went out from the County Executive and County Board Speaker asking departments to watch their expenditures the rest of this year so we could be in a good position going into FY21. I am finalizing the FY21 budget. Our budget requests have increased and I have asked department heads to budget for only items that are absolutely necessary. I think we will be in a good position moving forward. There are so many unknowns it is challenging to predict what is going to happen next year. I can assure you we are taking a very conservative approach in forecasting and planning next year’s budget.
Ms. Ventura stated if you have a deficit because we don’t have enough sales tax revenue and departments do spend funds, does that money come from the contingency fund. If so, do you project we would have enough? If not, what are the options the county would have?
Ms. Howard replied we have financial measures in place. In the cash reserves policy we are expected meet a certain percentage. If we fall below that percentage, it would be up to the County Board to give direction as to what action plan we would put in place. A few years ago the State did not pass a budget and there were reductions from the State in our revenue streams that impacted the County in the amount of $2.5 million. We were able to sustain, not do any major reductions to our workforce and get through that period. I am optimistic in saying I believe we would get through this period as well.
Ms. Hennessy stated the sales tax is a very small part of the overall corporate fund. The revenues for the FY20 budget were $212 million. This $875,000 shortfall could be offset by some other revenue line. We are very conservative with revenue, so if anything comes in a little higher, it would offset this. Looking at this by itself escalates it more than it needs to be. Next month I could prepare something to show what the other revenue items looks like to see if this is critical or something to keep an eye on.
Mr. Fricilone stated on the RTA funds we are up $129,000, but we anticipated an increase in RTA. I don’t know if that increase is running to the normal increase we anticipated or if it is less.
Ms. Hennessy responded I will have to look at that. For FY20 we budgeted $24.6 million and YTD we are $12.1. It looks to me we are on target to hit our budget.
Mr. Fricilone stated the numbers for the last two months were decreases. That is what concerns me because less are people driving. I believe that trend could continue for a while as people work remote. So we may not be on target on that. I think we should show the county MFT coming in. That would show where we are in the overall MFT so we will have a better picture of whether we are able to continue the projects we are planning on. I know we don’t have anything to compare it to.
Ms. Hennessy explained the MFT tax lines. If you combine the MFT and the County MFT we have already hit our motor fuel budget.
Mr. Brooks asked will the RTA and MFT decreases affect any of our current projects? There is a lot of roadwork going on in my district and I am hoping there will be no delays.
Ms. Hennessy indicated she was unaware of any delays with the County projects.
Ms. Hennessy reviewed the cannabis sales taxes. The County option will not start until September 1st.
Ms. Ventura asked we have had conversation about what we are going to do with the cannabis money. I believe a portion of that money should go back to the communities negatively affected. I don’t know when you would like to talk about this, but I am putting this out for the minutes that I am interested in having that conversation whenever this Committee is ready.
Mr. Harris stated the Speaker will determine which committee is most appropriate for that discussion; Committee of the Whole, Finance or Legislative. No decision has been made yet. It is on the radar.
Mr. Fricilone stated the State distribution has restrictions on where it can go. We will not be getting our money until December, so we have time to talk about it.
Ms. Ventura stated it does not hurt to beginning planning now, since it takes time to create a process or policy.
VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Traynere asked where are we at with making decisions or doing studies on County Board Members and Countywide Elected Official salaries? You are going to hear this question from me at every meeting until someone tells me what we are doing. I don’t want to be in the same position we were in this past spring, making decisions at the last minute, when it comes to salaries for elected officials.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mrs. Adams indicated there were no public comments.
VIII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Harris announced there will be a budget workshop on Tuesday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
X. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 10:45 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Traynere, Brooks Jr., Dollinger, Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Mueller, Ventura
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=3824&Inline=True
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