Sangamon Sun

Logan County Finance Committee Met June 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Mr. Jenness, Dr. Hepler, Mr. Blankenship, Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. Estill, Mr. Leesman 

Absent: 

Guests: Angela Reiners, Penny Thomas, Kelly Elias, Dale Nelson, Bob Sanders, Gary Twist, Sheriff Landers 

Mr. Jenness called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.

 New Business: 

1. Assessor’s Office Staffing- Mrs. Davenport informed the committee that the County is in no rush to hire anyone for the Supervisor of Assessments position and stated that interviews plan to start some time in September. Mr. Jenness agreed and stated that he would like to see the position posted in July, interview to happen sometime in August and to hire and finalize the position sometime in September. The committee agreed. 

2. A.R.P.A. Funds- Mr. Jenness stated that $2.75M has been received to Logan County and that the department heads had been contacted about any requests for their offices to be added to the Bellwether list. Mr. Jenness, after review, stated that the requests that had been submitted were received and added to the committee packets and Mr. Jenness asked the committee to quickly review the requests submitted. The requests that were submitted were discussed in depth by the committee and by the department heads that were guests to the meeting. It was stated that the Assessor’s office is requesting an additional vehicle to allow social distancing for field training for assessors. The Treasurer’s office is requesting 20-25 laptops and scanners, upgrading CIC software, 2 computers for the office and Mrs. Thomas explained each request to the committee and stated the cost would be around $50,000 - $60,000 for everything. The Circuit Clerk’s office is requesting closed case scanning solutions, keyless door locks, 3 new computers, new office chairs, 3 new scanners and Mrs. Elias explained each request to the committee. Sheriff Landers is requesting repairs to the Logan County Safety Complex/ Jail and pay scale adjustments for the Logan County Deputies, Sheriff Landers was present to explain each request to the committee. The Zoning Office requested audio/ video equipment for remote meeting accessibility and well as the ability to give presentations during meetings. States Attorney Hauge requested 7 new office monitors, new office refrigerator, audio/ video mobile cart for the 2nd floor courtroom, office desks and filing cabinets and reams of copy paper. Circuit Judge Wright requested 2 sets of audio/ video mobile carts, 5 iPads, keyless door locks for the judge’s offices, judicial assistant bonuses and office furniture. The County Clerk’s office requested to pay off the election equipment, premium pay for essential workers, purchase land records Bastian program and to FIDLAR back index documents. Discussion was had between Mrs. Davenport and Mrs. Thomas about premium pay and payroll bonuses for employees that remained working during the pandemic. Mrs. Thomas gave an in dept explanation to the committee regarding updating the CIC software and the benefits that would be for each office. Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Elias also explained the benefits of the new laptops and scanners for each office, Mrs. Davenport agreed and mentioned that an inventory would be beneficial for the laptops and scanners, the committee and guests agreed. Mr. Jenness stated that he was interested into looking into getting a redundant internet service for the County to turn on when there is an internet outage, Mrs. Elias explained to the committee that when there is an internet outage everything stops for court. Mrs. Newman informed the committee that the Board Office has been keeping track of outages since the new modem has been installed the internet has gone out twice for around 30 minutes each time. Mrs. Elias stated that with a back up work would not have to stop, the committee agreed. Mr. Jenness also mentioned he would like  to look into possibly being able to bring highspeed internet to all of Logan County but stated he hasn’t done much research but said it would be worth looking into. Mr. Jenness also stated that prepping for the next potential pandemic would be beneficial for the County and many requests seem to accommodate that. There was also discussion with Sheriff Landers and the committee of the loss of revenue due to inmate housing at the Logan County Jail from having to house female inmates in Dewitt County Jail due to overpopulation and from not being able to safely socially distance inmates as well as inmates that need to be picked up and placed by IDOT that have been waiting for an extended period of time that has not been paid by the State of Illinois yet. After further discussion Mr. Jenness stated that he believes there has been enough discussion to have the items picked out that should be added to the Bellwether ARPA Planned Use- Initial Submission form, Mr. Jenness stated that the following items would be added to the form. Logan County Jail repairs including sewer and water lines, cell toilets, interior and exterior doors and locking systems, and HVAC; 3 audio/ video equipment and mobile video carts; 9 computer monitors; 5 iPads; pay off the election equipment in the amount of $113,354.36; FIDLAR back index documents; Assessor Office vehicle; EXELA off site scanning; CIC software upgrade and 27 laptops and 27 scanners, the Finance Committee agreed. 

Review Expenses: None. 

Review Revenues: None. 

Communications: None. 

Public Comments: None. 

A motion was made by Mrs. Estill, seconded by Mr. Blankenship, to adjourn the meeting at 6:40pm. Motion carried.