State owes county $385,000

In what has become an annual sobering reminder of the state's poor financial situation, auditor Jim Schmersahl gave the Randolph County commissioners the results of fiscal year 2015 and 2016's budget numbers on Tuesday.

"At the six-month mark, they were ahead in payments," Schmersahl said, referring to the State of Illinois. "But during the last six months, payments have become smaller. At the six-month mark, that was not the case."

Financial data given to the media showed the state owes Randolph County more than $385,000 in reimbursements in FY 2015, with the departments of State's Attorney, Supervisor of Assessments and Public Defender being the most affected.

Schmersahl noted the state has stopped making payments in those three areas, with nine (out of a maximum 12 possible) payments to the Public Defender fund, eight to the Supervisor of Assessments and seven to the State's Attorney.

State sales tax receipts were down more than $235,000, while the county-wide sales tax was more than $55,000 short.

"That's nearly $300,000 less than we anticipated in revenues," Schmersahl said. "Those monies won't be back."

The state has been operating without a complete spending plan since July 1. While the County Board was in session, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan - along with House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Democratic Senate President John Cullerton - were meeting in Springfield to discuss the ongoing budget stalemate.

Little progress appeared to be made as a result of that meeting, part of which was open to the media, and the trickle-down effect of the budget impasse has Randolph County looking at a $425,000 deficit in fiscal year 2015.

"We have yet to get back to where we were two or three years ago," Schmersahl said.

Schmersahl also noted a 3.8 percent increase in total expenditures in the $7.7 million FY 2016 budget, the majority of which will be caused by the upcoming election cycle.

Judges, machines, supplies and fees will amount to almost $70,000 in costs that are mandated to hold an election.

"There's no easy answers," Schmersahl said. "Revenues are down at a time when it's very hard to hold expenditures."

Schmersahl noted that increases to health insurance and retirement costs are out of the county's control. Commissioner, and county budget director, David Holder told the media after the meeting that the "big killer" was liability insurance.

"There was $490,000 we had to find a hole for that didn't exist last year," he said.

Schmersahl said other funds showed increasing deficits, such as the Highway Department.

"The Highway Department took significant hits in appropriations and its ability to maintain roads and bridges," he said.

Schmersahl also cautioned the commissioners on if current revenue levels become "the new normal."

"If these revenues become the new normal, you have to find a way to fit underneath that," he said.

In addition to approving the budget, the commissioners passed a tax levy ordinance and an appropriations ordinance for the Mental Health Funding Board, also known as the 708 Board.

The tax levy was in the amount of $223,235, while $529,925 in total appropriations was also approved. The appropriations were to help with the various costs of the Human Service Center.

"There is clearly more need than money, a common theme for this meeting," Schmersahl said.

At the conclusion of the budget meeting, the commissioners began their first regular meeting of the fiscal year.

The commissioners made several appointments, including Animal Control director, Animal Control warden, EMA administrators, County Board of Review, General Assistance and Land Resource Management administrator.

With just two items on its regular agenda, the commissioners approved a $105,000 line of credit for the Monroe-Randolph County Transit District, a topic that was discussed at the board's previous meeting.

Monroe County is also underwriting a line of credit for the same amount for the district.

"As president of the transit board, I appreciate the support," said Randolph County Health Department Administrator Tom Smith.

The commissioners also discussed, but did not act upon, the special use application by Dave Brooks to open a retail gun shop on Route 4 south of Sparta.

Neighboring property owner Charlie Cowell spoke once again during public comment in opposition to the proposal. Commissioner Ronnie White said the county had given Brooks a list of requirements the site has to meet before approval is considered.

The next meeting of the County Board is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Randolph County Courthouse.

Roundup

The following appointments were made during the County Board's regular meeting:

Dr. Daniel Schupp (Randolph County Animal Control director) - a one-year term expiring November 30, 2016

Ed Braun (Randolph County Animal Control warden) - a one-year term expiring December 1, 2016

Michael Hoelscher (Randolph County EMA coordinator) - a one-year term expiring November 30, 2016

Nancy Schilling (Randolph County EMA assistant coordinator) - a one-year term expiring November 30, 2016

Rick Grah (Randolph County EMA assistant coordinator) - a one-year term expiring November 30, 2016

Alan Ashbrook (Randolph County Board of Review) - a one-year term expiring December 1, 2016

Carol Hamilton (Randolph County Board of Review) - a one-year term expiring December 1, 2016

Don Weiser (Randolph County Board of Review) - a one-year term expiring December 1, 2016

Cindy Jones (Randolph County General Assistance administrator) - a one-year term expiring December 1, 2016

David P. Walter (Randolph County Land Resource Management administrator) - a one-year term expiring November 30, 2016