Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee met March 5
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Montgomery County Board
Members Present: Connie Beck, Rob Corso, Chris Daniels, Dr. Patty Whitworth, Evan Young
Members Absent: Doug Donaldson
Others Present: Mike Plunkett and Lucas Nowlan of County Board Administration, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, EMAIEPAl9ll Director Dan Hough, Treasurer Nikki Lohman, County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser, Development & Personnel Committee Chairman Chad Ruppert
1. Pledge of Allegiance: was led by committee member Evan Young.
2. Public Comment: None
3. SOA Office Update/Approval: The committee reviewed the report, noting 220 Disabled Exemptions and 645 Senior Exemptions received as of March 3. The report also noted an upcoming meeting with Bruce Harris, who has acquired Beacon.
4. Capital Improvement & Coal Fund Reports Update/Approval: Report from Treasurer Lohman noted a January coal royalty payment of $64,120,37 leaving a total Coal Fund balance of $10.7million.
5. Special Service Area Ambulance Contracts Update/Approval: The committee reviewed the FY2026 agreement with the Raymond-Harvel Area Ambulance Service. Motion by Young and second by Daniels to recommend approval of the agreement between the Montgomery County Board and Raymond-Harvel Area Ambulance Service. All in favor, motion carried.
6. Circuit Clerk Audit Presentation Update/Approval: The audit is not yet complete.
7. IPRF Work Comp Premium Return Update/Approval: After a Workers Comp audit by Chief Deputy Trish Roemelin, Treasurer Lohman reported a premium refund of $11,444 from Illinois Public Risk Fund (IPRF).
8. Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate Update/Approval: The committee discussed the seldom-used process of the Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate, recommended in this case by the County Trustee.
Motion by Beck and second by Whitworth to recommend Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase number 2023-00091 on parcel ID number 16-01-330-003 to Ryan Holland. All in favor, motion carried.
9. A/P and Payroll Expense Request for Office 047 Update/Approval: County Clerk Leitheiser explained a request to take expenses for accounts payable and payroll checks, envelopes, and toner from the General Administrative budget in the General Fund rather than from the County Clerk and Treasurer budgets in the General Fund. Leitheiser said that, like copy paper and other items in the General Administrative budget, AP and payroll supplies are used on every office, and the continuing increase in costs for those supplies will run over budgeted expense lines in office budgets. The committee discussed taking the expenses from the “Other Expense” line item in the General Administrative budget this year and budgeting a separate line item in FY2027. Motion by Whitworth and second by Daniels to recommend vouchers of $353.52 to Quill for checks, $690.08 to Quill for envelopes, and $334.99 to Paragon Micro for MICR secure toner from line item 100-047-540.012 in the General Administrative budget. All in favor, motion carried.Â
10. FY2027 Budget Process Update/Approval: The committee reviewed a schedule developed by County Board Administration and Treasurer Lohman setting out the FY2027 budget process schedule, beginning with setting wage changes and starting salaries in April, conducting budget hearings in August, and concluding with adopting the final budget in November. The committee agreed with the tentative schedule.
11. Fund 375 Purchases Update/Approval: The committee reviewed Coal Fund 375 vouchers to GTSi for a Sheriffs Office vehicle build and to Victory Lane Chrysler for an EMA vehicle. Motion by Young and second by Whitworth to recommend paying the Coal Fund 375 vouchers. All in favor, motion carried.
12. Other Business: Treasurer Lohman explained changes in the mobile home tax process, and anticipated changes in the appearance of real estate tax bills.
Motion to pay the bills and payroll by Daniels and second by Corso. All in favor, motion carried.
Motion to Adjourn by Whitworlth and second by Corso. All in favor, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:31 a.m. The summaries of minutes were respectfully submitted by acting secretary
Mike Plunkett, as Deputized by Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.
https://montgomerycountyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/CommitteeMinutes3-26-1.pdf
