South West Illinois News

Jackson County Executive Committee met Nov. 3.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM) Members Present: Erbes, Hunter, J.S. Rendleman, Peterson, Redmond and Rowe Members Absent: Larkin Also Present: Emily Burke, Tamiko Mueller, Michelle Tweedy, Susie Kilquist, Maureen Berkowitz, Grant Guthman, Josh Barringer Approval of Minutes I. 16-1825 October 6, 2016 A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve the October 6, 2016 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Chairman's Remarks II. 16-1826 *CHAIRMAN CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH TELEPHONE VENDOR Chairman Rendleman informed the committee that he represents Northridge which is a company that did not bid on the county telephony, but they are a competitor and have filed a complaint regarding the telephony RFP. He stated that he will not participate in any discussions and/or decisions that relate to the county telephony. Hunter informed the committee that the county telephony issue will be addressed at the Finance & Administration Committee meeting on Monday, November 7. III. 16-1827 Quadrennial Reassessments Chairman Rendleman stated that he has received calls from constituents upset about their property tax reassessments and he asked Berkowitz to speak to the committee. Berkowitz provided the statute and the schedule followed by all counties for reassessment. Jackson county is a “Resolution” county where one quarter of the county is reassessed every year rather than the whole county every 4 years. The increase in EAV county-wide was.006, just over half of 1%. Carbondale township increase in EAV was.023 or just over 2%. Department of Revenue will factor up or down if this is too high or too low. If the median is within 1% of 33.33 they will issue the county a 1.00 factor which will neither add or subtract value. Mass appraisal is done via computer program. Berkowitz says they have more tools to assist them than ever before and that the database of property characteristics is in the best shape it has ever been due to searching websites like Google Earth, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc. She encouraged board members to refer inquiries to her office as they do not have the resources to answer questions. The committee asked Berkowitz several questions relating to certificates of error, assessed value multiplier, exemptions and what are basis' for appeal. Berkowitz ended by informing the committee that there is a Farmland Assessment meeting on November 15, 2016 at 9am. Internal Office Matters IV. 16-1828 December Calendar Adjustment The committee reviewed the draft December calendar and decided to move the Executive Committee meeting from the first to the eighth. Also, they would like the special board meeting on the fifth to be at 6pm. The committee coordinator will make the changes and email the calendar to the board members. DRAFT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 5:00 PM JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE Page 2 of 4 V. 16-1829 Comp Time Payouts The committee reviewed the board supervised staff's compensatory time accumulation. They had a brief discussion about accrual of vacation and sick time. A motion was made by Rowe, seconded by Peterson, to authorize a payout of board supervised staff compensatory time up to the amount earned or as requested by the employee. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Human Resources Subcommittee Update The committee coordinator informed the committee that the updated personnel policy has been sent to CIRMA and Mr. Huffman for review. Once responses have been received the next Human Resource Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled. VI. 16-1830 Unemployment Insurance The committee reviewed the annual unemployment insurance rate determination from this year. Discussion took place regarding the short time frame for the county to protest the rate each year and the need to authorize a protest in advance of receiving next years letter due to the December meeting schedule. ICRMT has offered a plan to self insure at a rate of about 3.8% which is about a 22% reduction from this year. A motion was made by Rowe, seconded by Hunter, to authorize and direct the State's Attorney's office to protest the contribution rate if it is 4.95% unless there is a significant rate reduction. The motion carried by unanimous vote. VII. 16-1832 Community-wide hazardous substances and petroleum Brownfields request for support from City of Murphysboro Ms. Burke gave a presentation to the committee about the City of Murphysboro application for a Brownfield Assessment grant. Murphysboro has identified several properties in and around the city that could qualify for the EPA grant. Murphysboro is using Stanley Consulting to write the grant and their fee is $5000 of which they would like the county to contribute $2000. Redmond inquired about the amount of the grant, $300,000, also whether that amount would be going for only the study or if it would also include some clean up, mostly just the study and whether this would be setting a precedent for others who want the county to help pay for things. Peterson asked if Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission had been consulted about the grant, since they assist the area with grant writing for free. Burke state that she did not think they had been asked. Concern was also voiced about where the 20% matching funds would come from if Murphysboro does receive the grant. A motion was made by Rowe, seconded by Erbes, to approve giving the City of Murphysboro $2000 from the Solid Waste Fund with the stipulation that Murphysboro strongly reconsider their participation with Jackson Growth Alliance. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Erbes, Hunter, J.S. Rendleman and Rowe No: 2 - Peterson and Redmond Absent: 1 - Larkin VIII. 16-1833 William "Bill" Alstat Award DRAFT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 5:00 PM JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE Page 3 of 4 A motion was made by Rowe, seconded by Hunter, to approve the William "Bill" Alstat Award subject to the creation of a procedure for the selection of recipients and date of the award. Erbes abstained. The motion carried by unanimous vote. IX. 16-1834 Community Engagement Plan Working Group Peterson informed the committee about the building tour that took place on October 28 at the courthouse. She stated that although the group was smaller than initially expected they were impressed with the courthouse, concerned about the basement and spoke about their observations at the League of Women Voters meeting. Chairman Rendleman informed the committee that he was interviewed by Dustin Duncan of the Southern Illinoisan, also Mr. S. Bost and Chairman Rendleman spoke on the Will Stevens show on the radio. There was a brief discussion about how some people thought the building commission was connected to zoning and how board members have been correcting that information. X. 16-1835 Ordinance Governing Travel Reimbursement Policy The committee discussed the presented travel reimbursement form and changes that were made. Kilquist commented that the Sheriff's department would like the board to consider setting the maximum allowable amount to $2500 instead of the previously discussed $1000 to allow for some of their costs incurred with sending officers to academy for training. Guthman made several comments about the proposed travel form, the bullet points in the ordinance and defining several terms. The committee appreciated his comments and charged Erbes with looking at the form and the ordinance, making necessary changes and bringing it back to the committee at the December meeting. XI. 16-1836 County Board Credit Card Policy The committee discussed the updated draft credit card policy, what the card would be used for, who would be in charge of authorizing use of the card and where the card would be stored. Tweedy informed the committee that the board has access to the county credit card that is held in the treasurers office and can contact that office anytime they would need to use the card. She also reminded the committee that she cannot have access to the card and that having it in the office might be to close for what the auditors want. Chairman Rendleman said he would contact Mark at the auditors office to get some clarification. This item will remain on the agenda for Decembers meeting. Appointments XII. 16-1837 Jackson Growth Alliance Appointment Redmond's term on the board of the Jackson Growth Alliance will end this month. Chairman Rendleman thanked him for his work with them and asked the committee if anyone was interested in representing the county board at Jackson Growth Alliance, Rowe indica ted that he is and the consensus is that he be appointed. XIII. 16-1838 Jackson County Health Department Appointments DRAFT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 5:00 PM JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE Page 4 of 4 The Jackson County Board of Health has two vacancies, one for a county board member to replace the exiting Redmond and one for a citizen who has resigned. The committee coordinator will send an email to all board members asking if they are interested in representing the county board. XIV. 16-1839 Crosswalk Community Action Agency Appointment Crosswalk has called the board office to ask the board to consider appointing someone soon so that it does not affect their grant funding. The committee coordinator will send an email to all board members asking if they are interested in representing the county board. XV. 16-1840 Jackson County Mass Transit Appointment The committee is going to hold off on making any appointments to this board until a later date. XVI. 16-1841 SIMPO Appointment Peterson's term expires in November 2016 and she has agreed to be appointed for another term. Old Business New Business Erbes mentioned that he spoke with someone from Iron Planet who wants to meet with representatives from the county about selling and buying big machines for the county. Chairman Rendleman and Rowe indicated that they would be willing to meet with a representative and hear what they have to say. Chairman Rendleman informed the committee that he has received a letter from CIRMA with regard to the property and loss insurance quotes the county requested, he indicated that he has not had time to read the entire letter because he received it right before the meeting. It is his understanding that CIRMA has some procedural and substantive complaints. The recommendation is to ask the Finance & Administration Committee chair, Hunter, to invite CIRMA to the next meeting. Although it is not prohibited or required it is suggested that ICRMT should be notified and invited to attend as well. Adjourn (7:02 PM) Rowe moved and Erbes seconded to adjourn, motion carried.