The Finance Committee of the DeKalb County Board, met on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 @ 7:00p.m. in the DeKalb County Legislative Center’s Gathertorium.  Chairman Jeff Whelan called the meeting to order.  Members present were Sue Leifheit, Ruth Anne Tobias, Jerry Augsburger and Michael Haines.  Jeff Metzger, Sr., and Dennis Sands were absent.  Others present were Gary Hanson, Ray Bockman, Greg Millburg, Liz Carney, Karen Grush and Ken Campbell.  A quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from October, 2006.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Mr. Hanson said that the committee would need to set a date for a special meeting for year-end transfer.  Chairman Whelan said that he would put that under item #6a.

          Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to approve the amended agenda as presented.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPERTY TAX LEVY

          Chairman Whelan opened the floor for anyone to speak on the Public Hearing for the Property Tax Levy.  No one spoke.

          Chairman Whelan closed the hearing since no one spoke on the item.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FY2007 BUDGET

          Chairman Whelan opened the floor for anyone to speak on the Proposed 2007 Budget.  No one spoke.

          Chairman Whelan closed the hearing since no one spoke on the item.

FINAL BUDGET REVIEW

          Mr. Gary Hanson, DeKalb County Deputy County Administrator, said that at last month’s meeting the committee spoke about the ordinance from the Sheriff regarding medical costs for prisoners.  It is on hold until the State’s Attorney’s office completes their review of the ordinance.  He is removing the item (#42 on the FY2007 Budget Addendum) from the budget.  

          Mr. Hanson then informed the committee that the next change to the budget is regarding the Local Emergency Planning Committee. It is a County appointed committee.  Mr. Hanson explained that they have an opportunity to receive some funds from the State, but they can’t receive it as a committee, it has to come through another entity.  We have agreed to accept the $6300.00 for them and then funnel it back to them through the ESDA budget.

          The Forest Preserve District will be paying off the balance of their loan to the County at the November 15^th County Board meeting in the amount of $223,750.00. 

          Our health insurance will be increasing somewhere between 20-25% and we currently have 15% in the budget. 

          Mr. Hanson said that the committee members need to send this budget to the county board.  He said that there will be 2 or 3 ordinances and resolutions (Tax Levy, Budget, Year–End Transfers) coming from the committee this month to be forwarded to the full board for approval, along with an ordinance on increasing tipping fees.

          Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to forward the budget for 2007 to the full board for approval.

SPECIAL MEETING FOR YEAR-END TRANSFERS

          The committee discussed that the special meeting for the year-end budget transfers will take place the evening of the County Board Meeting on November 15, 2006 @ 7:00p.m. in the Legislative Center’s Liberty Room.

UPDATE ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PENSION COSTS

            Mr. Hanson then explained to the committee that the pension fund costs for law enforcement, as an unfunded mandate, would be increasing in the County’s FY2008 budget.  The bill ($4,200,000) shows that it will be amortized over a 30-year period, but when we pay this increase it will add about $200,000 annually to our costs for this pension, he said. 

          Chairman Whelan asked, where does the County come up with these funds to pay this?

          Mr. Hanson said that if you ask your legislators if it will increase taxes, they will probably say no, but this will be a tax increase.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – PERSONNEL       

          Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to move into closed session to discuss personnel.

          Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to return to open session. 

          Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Mr. Haines, and it was carried unanimously to forward the exceptional performance nominations of Ms. Joan Berkes-Hanson and Mr. Gary Hanson to the Executive Committee for consideration.

ADJOURNMENT

          Moved by Ms. Tobias, seconded by Mr. Augsburger, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.         

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          ____________________________________         

                                                          Chairman Jeff Whelan

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