April Board Meeting Report

The Tazewell County Board convened for its monthly meeting on April 27.  

The meeting began with a report from Judge Paul Gilfillan regarding the efforts of our county courts administration team to obtain certification from the Illinois Supreme Court to have a Mental Health Court.  Judge Gilfillan discussed the goal of such a Court - identify low level, non-violent offenders whose illness is driving their crimes, provide oversight and treatment to reduce future offenses, and help them return to society.  This is a similar goal to the County's Drug Court, which is already in operation. The Board learned that there will be no financial request for the Court as it will remain solvent from the offenders' private health insurance, fees, and other coverage.  I would like to thank Judge Gilfillan and our entire courts team for their work on both Courts.

After the presentation, the Board turned to its main agenda, deliberating and voting to:

* Approve the installation of a standby generator at the Health Department;

* Approve the restructuring and organization of the County Board's Administrative Office, including the creation of the office of Finance Director and removing certain functions from the office of the Auditor.  While several of us were concerned about the timing and added costs, I do wish to thank my fellow board members and others who participated in a very civilized debate; and

*  Approve a proposal from the Recodification Committee to enter into a contract with American Legal Publishing, that will work with the Committee on a formal, legal review of the Tazewell County Code, which will lead to the publication of the entire Code online in a searchable format.  I would like to personally thank County Clerk Webb for coordinating numerous presentations from vendors who offer these services and all of our Committee members who thoroughly deliberated and made its recommendation.   

April Board Packet and Other Information

The April Board Packet/Agenda and Accounts Payable report have been posted.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

In other County News...

1) Illinois Department of Revenue Overpayment Error

As you may have seen in recent headlines, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) uncovered a "misallocation" that has resulted in the "overpayment" of an estimated $168 million to the taxing districts of Illinois that receive Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) payments.  These payments began when local units of government lost the power to tax personal property (with sole authority given to the state and in other limited circumstances).

Based on IDOR records, Tazewell County was overpaid $169,984.07, and there are countless other units of government (including schools) within the County who face similar situations.  It will be interesting to see what payment plan IDOR requires.

2)   Electric Aggregation

I have heard from more than one constituent about a recent letter they received from Tazewell County/Homefield Energy.  This letter relates to the electric aggregation contract between the two entities, which begins in June 2016 and is guaranteed until June 2019.  Under this contract, unless a residential or small business property owner "opted out," eligible Ameren customer accounts will be automatically enrolled in a program where the County (and other units of government) negotiate the purchase price of electricity.  No matter what entity purchases/supplies the electricity, Ameren is still required to provide the related delivery and service to you.  However, if during this contract, Ameren's electrical supply rates fall lower than the price offered by Homefield, Tazewell County residents have the option of returning to Ameren for supply at no cost. Again, no interruption of service/delivery will occur.  

If you have more questions, feel free to contact me, or I also encourage you to visit Homefield Energy's website on electric aggregation.

March Board Meeting

As noted on my last blog post, a public hearing was held prior to the March 30 Tazewell County Board meeting.  The hearing was a "close-out/performance" hearing regarding Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) Grant No. 11-241002, which directly related to improvements to Wagonseller Road and other roads to support the expansion of Excel Foundry and Machine for job creation.

The public and county board members were allowed to ask questions, and presented a final report on the approved budget and expenditures.  Should you have any specific questions on the amounts, please let me know, but most importantly, the report demonstrated a true partnership between CDAP, IDOT, County, and Excel.

When the full Board convened, it:

* Approved the authorization of an application for public transportation assistance and a special warranty for We Care, Inc.;

* Heard a report from the Health Services Committee on the status of negotiations of a contract between Tazewell County Animal Control and the Tazewell County Veterinarian Medical Association on the ability to provide spay/neuter services using the Low Income Population Control Fund;

* Approved a cyber-liability policy for the County; and

* Approved appointments and re-appointments to various fire protection districts, the Tazewell County Extension Board, and the Farmland Assessment Review Committee.