DuPage County Finance Committee met July 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Elizabeth Chaplin at 8:06 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
A. Motion to allow remote participation by Member Hart
Pursuant to section 7(a) of the Open Meetings Act, due to family emergency, Member Hart was permitted to attend the meeting remotely. Member Selmon made the motion, Member Schwarze seconded, all aye on a voice vote. Motion carried.
PRESENT: Chaplin, Chavez, DeSart, Deacon Garcia, Hart (Remote), Krajewski, LaPlante, Rutledge, Schwarze, Selmon, Tornatore, Zay
ABSENT: Covert, DiCianni, Eckhoff, Ozog, Puchalski, Renehan
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was offered.
4. CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR CHAPLIN
Chair Chaplin welcomed the members and thanked them for coming in on what would normally be an off week.
5. PRESENTATION
Budget Presentation - General Fund
RESULT: HAND OUT
A. FY 2021 General Fund Update
Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Martynowicz began his budget overview with good news. He categorized FY2021 as a good albeit abnormal year. Many accounting changes took place this fiscal year which will all be explained this morning. Sales tax is doing extraordinarily well. This contributes to a projected surplus of $14 million primarily due to increases in revenues that are sensitive to the economy.
Expenditures are projected to be $204.2 million which is $24.8 million over the adopted budget. Department personnel expenditures are trneding under budget due to a high number of positions staying vacant.
Projected ending General Fund Balance will be $112.2 million. One time expenditures that need funding:
Phase II of Property tax system - $4 million, Voting Machines - $9 million, Vehicle replacements - $3 million, facilities management/infrastructure - $2 million. The consensus of the committee was favorable for the funding expenditures.
Vehicle replacement discussion centered around buying vehicles in bulk, car shortage due to supply chain shortages and option of electric vehicles. Mr. Chris Snyder, Department of Transportation addressed the members concerns and answered their questions.
Member Tornatore questioned the numbers and how they were calculated. Jeff Martynowicz explained it in greater detail to clarify. Member De Sart suggested that the expenditures should not be greater than the surplus. Chair Chaplin assured the committee that the spending is being done is a responsible way. Member Chavez asked for clarification on the Tyler Tax System and it's funding, implementation and timeline.
B. FY 2022 General Fund Requested Budget Overview
Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Martynowicz continued his presentation with FY2022 overview, detailing the budget process for the committee. Chair Chaplin explained that this is an overview and the budget details will be examined and discussed in committee.
General Fund expenditures are largely personnel at 73.36%. Headcount as of 7-16-21, we are down 157 positions over the budgeted headcount. Departments are struggling to hire and this will be discussed in depth at committee. Member Tornatore questioned where the new hires would be housed, and if that has been factored into the budget.
Debt service was discussed next with Members wondering why the smaller debts are not being paid off.
Property Tax Levy discussions centered around the direction forward. The committee concurred that going forward, to only capture new construction.
Nick Kottmeyer, Chief Administrative Officer introduced the future budget pressures to the committee.
A brief recess was called at 9:14 AM by Chair Chaplin. Meeting resumed at 9:19AM, Chair Chaplin took a visual role call and established quorum.
Future budget pressures continued to be addressed and discussed. Salary Analysis has risen to the top of the list as a concern. Historically, DuPage County has always set the mark for other Counties. Attracting new employees and retain existing employees has become increasingly difficult. Member Chavez asked for a benefit comparison and salary analysis be brought to the Board to form a plan. Member La Plante requested a cost benefit analysis, and Member Selmon suggested an employee survey with the focus on tele-work.
The Budget presentation schedule was shared with the committee. Member DeSart requested that all departments use the same format for their budget worksheets.
6. OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business was offered.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Chair Chaplin urged the members to work within their committees to pare down their budget requests.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion by Member Tornatore and a second by Member Selmon. On a voice voice, all aye, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40AM.
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