November 2023 County Board Report
1.Ashley Jett, Animal Services Director, reported success with the “lottery” that awarded those adopting dogs with free shots and licensing. The Board approved a contract with Stanley J. Niemann, DVM for veterinarian services.
2. We approved the appointment of the following personnel on the Parks Grant Commission: Jerry Albrecht, Michael Todd, Herbert Simmons, Thomas Schrag and Richard Battas.
3. Mr. Kern presented a Proclamation of Service to Toni Perrin who served on the St Clair Transit Commission. Ms. Perrin is a retired educator and is deeply involved in multiple organizations in East St Louis. We approved the appointment of Derienzia Johnson to replace Ms. Perrin.
4. County Insurance Policy. We approved the renewal of Property and Casualty Insurance for Mid America and all county properties and operations, including liability insurance.
Employee Health Insurance. The county was able to negotiate favorable rates which are below similar government agency policies through Brown and Brown with UMR (health insurance), Delta Dental and Stop Loss for Fiscal Year 2024.
5. New Bridge Design- Smithton Township. The Board approved a contract with Volkert, Inc for the design and preparation to replace the one lane bridge on Press Road over Richland Creek, for $128, 566. The design has to be submitted and approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation as they have authority over all bridge construction. The contract is set for bids in July 2025.
6. Intersection improvement in Fairview Heights. The Board approved an agreement between the County and Fairview Heights to improve the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Old Collinsville Road.
7. Baldwin Road Improvements. The Board authorized $385, 000 from the County Motor Fuel Tax fund and $20,000 from the County Highway fund to improve Baldwin Road from approximately 500 feet north of Golden Rule Mine Road to 750 feet North of Golden Rule Mine Road.
8. States Attorney. We approved a payment of $42,000 to the State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor. These funds are for defendants who appeal their “detention order.”
Sheriff Vehicles. We approved $161,910 to purchase 3 2023 Ford Explorers through the state flee purchase program.
County Budget. This is our most important function- to review and approve the annual County Budget. Lexi Cortes, a reporter for the Belleville News-Democrat reported on the budget in the 1 December 2023 edition. Here are the highlights of the approved budget:
1. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget is $43,070, 849, This current year’s budget is $41,351,337, which represents a 4.16% increase.
2. Main areas for increase: Employee cost of living pay increase of 3.00%. Additional funds of $291, 25 for voting operations due to 2 elections and an increase in Election Judge pay. An increase in Public Defender salary cost of $317, $316 to attract candidates. An increase in the corrections budget of $340,000 for inmate health care through Wexford. An increase in IT of $355,817 for increased print cost per copy. There was a reduction in the probation department of $256,809. Most departments had a less than 3% budget increase.
3. Justice System costs which includes Sheriff patrol, jail, Sheriff administration, Judicial, States Attorney and Public Defender costs, Probation, Coroner and jury commission is $18, 548,706. There are also indirect costs to maintain the courthouse and Circuit Clerk operations.
Ed Cockrell, Andy Bittle and Kevin Dawson voted no on the budget. I voted yes based on my presentation to the Finance Committee and to the County Board during the Budget Public Hearing on funding the East St Louis Board of Elections. Although required by state law, I challenged our contribution amount without knowing their own budget to operate elections for 15,000 registered voters. I was assured our appropriation of $118, 932 is appropriate and legal. I called their City Manager and never got a response on their election commission budget. I reviewed the budget and feel the increases are appropriate based on employee pay raises and the increase in the Sheriff’s budget, hence my “Yes” vote.
Phil Henning
County Board Member
District 19
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