PUTNAM COUNTY BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2019

9:00 A.M.

A meeting of the Putnam County Board’s Finance Committee was called to order at 9:00 A.M. on May 13, 2019, in the Board Room at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois by Putnam County Board Chairman Steven Malavolti. 

Roll call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with Sheila Haage, Steven Malavolti, Luke Holly, Charles Lenkaitis, and Brad Popurella answering.  Also present for the meeting was Putnam County Treasurer Kevin Kunkel, Office Holders / Department Heads, staff members, and members of the news media. 

This meeting of the Putnam County Board’s Finance Committee was called to discuss the current General Fund Account balances for the current Fiscal Year 2018-2019 and discuss recommendations for amending the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year December 1, 2018, through November 30, 2019. 

The committee reviewed and discussed the county’s General Fund Account balances through April of Fiscal Year 2019.  The county’s expenses continue to exceed revenues.   The Fiscal Year 2018-2019 through April shows revenues of $715,121.49.  The Fiscal Year 2018-2019 through April shows expenses of $1,275,318.38.  The county board may need to borrow money along with budget cuts to meet the county’s expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year.  Money has already been borrowed from the Federal Aid Matching Fund and currently from the County Bridge Fund.  Those inter-fund loans will need to be paid back when tax revenue is received in July of this year.      

The committee then discussed recommendations for amending the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance and reducing the county’s expenses.  The county’s two (2) major expenses are the areas of employee health insurance and personnel.  The committee discussed possible cost reductions in those areas.  In the area of health insurance, stipends were discussed.  Those county employees in attendance had numerous questions regarding the possible reduction in health insurance.  It was agreed by the committee to contact the current health insurance provider and schedule them to attend a meeting with the county employees to address questions.  The Clerk of the County Board was directed to contact the provider and schedule meeting with them on Monday, May 20, 2019, at 4:00 P.M.  The committee also discussed the potential of budget cuts to department funding which could result in office/department staff reductions and/or lay-offs. The committee then discussed the various offices/departments where potential budget cuts might be made.  A discussion with officeholders and department heads followed relative to the possible budget cuts.   

At 10:15 A.M., board member Brad Popurella moved that the committee retires into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues (5ILCS 120/2).  Board member Charles Lenkaitis seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.  The committee then retired into Executive Session. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

At 10:45 A.M., board member Charles Lenkaitis moved that the committee returns to Regular Session.  Board member Luke Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.  The committee then returned to Regular Session. 

The committee discussed the need to borrow money in order to meet the county’s expenses for the remainder of the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year.  Treasurer Kevin Kunkel was directed to contact the banks for interest rates on tax anticipation loans, debt certificates, and/or a line of credit.   

At 10:50 A.M., board member Sheila Haage moved that the Finance Committee meeting be suspended until May 20, 2019, at a time yet to be determined.  Board member Brad Popurella seconded the motion and motion were carried on a roll call board vote of 4ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.  The meeting was suspended.  The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2019, at 5:30 P.M. 

Respectfully submitted, 

DANIEL S. KUHN
Clerk of the Putnam County Board