1. Due notice having been given by the Clerk by publication in a newspaper published in the County of Henry in words and figures as follows:
County Clerk”
A certificate of Publication by said newspaper being on file and also by mailing a notice to each member of said Board in words and figures as follows, to-wit:
A certificate of mailing said notice being on file, the Henry County Board of the County of Henry and State of Illinois, convened in SPECIAL SESSION in the Village of Cambridge, the County and State aforesaid, on Tuesday, the 18th day of October, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
2. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Wells.
3. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Chaplain Kathy Nelson after which the pledge of allegiance to the flag was given.
4. A Call of the Roll by Deputy Clerk, Kelli Humphrey showed nineteen members present: Roger Gradert, Rick Livesay, Rebekah McCaw, Pat Ripperger, Dennis Sullivan, Tim Wells, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, Bill Preston, Tom Steele, Karen Urick, Muriel Weber, Jon Zahm, Jason DeSplinter, Jim Kursock, Jim Findley, John Sovanski, Ted Sturtevant and Jerry Thompson. Five members were absent: Jim Eccher, Dan Swanson, Dennis Anderson, Ann DeSmith and Jan May.
5. Colleen Gillaspie, County Administrator, announced the correction to be made regarding the October 11, 2011 County Board meeting, the motion to adjourn until the October 18, 2011 County Board meeting should have said to recess until the November 11, 2011 Recessed Annual Session.
6. Chairman Tim Wells appointed Chair Pro-Tem to Member Kippy Nelson, Vice County Board Chairperson, which declined the appointment.
7. Chairman Tim Wells appointed Member Roger Gradert as Pro-Tem Chairman, whom accepted.
8. Member Dennis Anderson arrived at 6:05 p.m.
9. Pro-Tem Chairman Roger Gradert thanked the Finance Committee for their hard work and recognized them.
10. Each member of the Finance Committee introduced themselves and spoke regarding their efforts and each gave their personal opinions on the budget situation.
11. Budget discussion started.
12. Pro-Tem Chairman Roger Gradert asked for Public Comment.
13. Mr. Kerry Loncka, Lieutenant for the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, spoke regarding the jail staffing levels.
Ms. Lindi Kernan, Supervisor of Assessments, thanked the County board for their hard work and for the opportunity to meet tonight.
Mr. Martin Holstein spoke regarding the Sheriff’s Department layoffs.
Mr. Randy Lynch, AFSCME Representative, suggested increasing revenue vs. cutting costs.
Ms. Barbara Link, Henry County Clerk/Recorder, again thanked the County Board members and stated that we have increased our revenues, but we couldn’t do our jobs without our employees.
Ms. Jan Weber, taxpayer, said the State of Illinois is worse off than Greece. She stated, “we should not run the checkbook to zero, don’t borrow from Peter to pay Paul.”
Mr. Bruce Lang, GIS Employee and a 25 year Henry County Employee said he has a gift for the County. He stated that the farmland assessments are going up 10% and that should subsidize the County’s Tax Dollars.
Mr. Bob Streight, Jail Administrator, spoke regarding the Sheriff’s Business Plan. There was no intension of self-supporting the Sheriff’s Department through the business plan, but that was how it was interpreted from the beginning. It was only to help supplement pay increases.
Mr. Brian Haars, Henry County Deputy Sheriff, spoke regarding the layoffs in the Sheriff’s office, the two tragic deaths that have already occurred in the jail, and how we trust that deputies will be there when our families have to dial 9-1-1.
14. Pro-Tem Chairman Roger Gradert asked for County Board comment.
Member Bill Preston commented that we need to try to fast forward to October, 2012. What is going to happen then, we just need to simply kick the can down the road? We live in the State of Illinois, the worst state in the Union because the State of Illinois could never make the hard decisions.
Member Jim Kursock stated that Mr. Bob Streight is right, he remembers telling them that this system is going to come back and bite them. He also agrees with Tom Steele, it is a rainy day. He will not vote for a budget that will lay people off.
Member Tom Steele stated that those who are opposed to layoffs are being responsible. The Auditors’ did say we should have a 3 month surplus to utilize if needed. No one knows what will happen in 2012.
Member Karen Urick needs clarification regarding the amendments to be done for the budget and levy. Simple majority votes are needed.
Member Jon Zahm spoke regarding line item cuts. Mr. Zahm disagrees increasing tax revenues. It has been rejected twice already. Wants to eliminate the Public Information Officer position and believes that every County Board Member needs to come up with savings in other areas that we can live without. We need to go through line by line.
Member Jon Sovanski said that the Public Information Officer is a person.
Member Tom Steele said that the next meeting is scheduled for October 25, 2011. It was his understanding, if you couldn’t make it on one date, you could possibly make the other.
Pro-tem Chairman Roger Gradert said the salaries cannot be increased because of the Union. Personally believes that most of the staff is on the short side of the pay scale anyway. How is the corporate tax levy? Is it maxed out? If taxes are going to be raised it would need to go to the voters.
Member Tim Wells spoke regarding the 2012 property tax levy. Spoke regarding Economic Development, how he has contributed by bringing 2 ethanol plants to this county. Zero dollars on the tax levy in 2012 for Economic Development. Let’s not underestimate what we did.
Member Pat Ripperger stated the reason we didn’t have anything in the budget for Economic Development in 2012 was because it was paid in 2011. We did not ignore Economic Development this year!
Ms. Colleen Gillaspie, County Administrator, was asked to read a letter on behalf of Mr. Jim Eccher who could not be present. He has served for 17 years on the board. He has never experienced a budget year that has brought so much controversy as this year. Department heads nor some members of Finance Committee have been in favor of the layoffs. He said he has learned that the initiator/originator of this cut/layoff was Mr. Wells. Our goal is to provide the best service that county government can provide and to do that with dedication, courtesy, efficiency and professionalism. Let your conscience be your guide.
15. Pro-tem Chairman Roger Gradert
asked, “Do we need to have another meeting on October 25, 2011?” A straw vote
was taken. No meeting is going to be scheduled for October 25, 2011.
16. Member Kippy Nelson appreciated how everyone came with comments and feedback with tact and courtesy.
17. Member Jim Kursock moved to adjourn until the November 8, 2011 County Board meeting. Member Karen Urick seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
18. Pro-Tem Chairman Roger Gradert declared the meeting adjourned.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.