TERRY BIBO
Too bad we have that debt, but cheers to the Peoria County Board for saving between
$20 million and $25 million by refinancing Heddington Oaks.
PEORIA CITY COUNCIL
On July 26, the council approved a request from City Manager Patrick Urich and Chief of Police Eric Echevarria to purchase four solar-powered camera surveillance trailers for $91,230. It approved an upgrade to existing crime view analytics software for $17,550. An intergovernmental agreement was approved to employ off-duty PPS safety employees during special events.
Councilors voted to approve the Peoria Equity Accountability Program to establish the first city of Peoria Minority Business Certification and build a business directory.
Director of Public Works Rick Powers’ request to add 10 full-time maintenance workers was approved, bringing full-time maintenance staff to 41 employees. Reducing temporary staff will improve productivity and save $50,000, he said.
On Aug. 9, councilors discussed negative line-item balances, prompted by Councilor Denis Cyr, who recommended opportunities to pay down unfunded pension liability.
Finance Director Kyle Cratty said personal property tax receipts have grown, but he does not think this will be recurring. Urich and Cratty will bring recommendations to Council in budget sessions. Mayor Rita Ali supported Cyr; Urich affirmed the Council could set policy to stop negative account balances.
Joe Dulin, Community Development Director, discussed a plan for violence reduction funding which would be administered by the Peoria Police Department. The minimum award would be $50,000 and maximum award would be $250,000.
Interim Corporation Counsel Chrissie Kapustka said current legislation may allow the city to use red light cameras. At-large Councilor Charles Grayeb said cameras could be used to impact speeding. Council asked for more feedback and community input.
PEORIA COUNTY BOARD
The Peoria County Board met Aug. 11 with all members present but Junior Watkins.
On a 15-2 vote the board approved placing a citizen’s referendum on the Nov. 8 general election ballot seeking to eliminate the Office of County Auditor. Auditor Jessica Thomas and another citizen spoke against this move during Citizen’s Remarks.
Approved language for the referendum is: “Shall Peoria County eliminate the internal Office of County Auditor when Peoria County already has an external Auditor as required by state law? This would be a cost savings of approximately $150,000 annually.”
After a lottery on redistricting, board members in even-numbered districts will serve an initial two-year term and those in odd-numbered districts will serve an initial four-year term.
The county’s external auditor, Sikich, highlighted a clean audit and commented positively on the county’s ability to prepare its own financial statements. Only 5% of Illinois counties have expertise in place to accomplish this.
The county refinanced the Heddington Oaks debt, saving an estimated $22-$25 million in interest over the loan term.
Board members approved budget revisions for PCAPS and the Peoria County Election Commission; engineering and repairs for the Heddington Oaks detention basin outflow; zoning in Princeville Township, an IDHS grant and the Peoria County Public Defender’s salary.
Member Sharon K. Williams announced a survey on waste removal and recycling for unincorporated Peoria County, available at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uirPzcKDBU24y_DgAATkBS5Zf4IWH5dIt6mObBhSKxRUMDVWM0ZCVzczQUJRQlk2NzEyRTVLT0c2Ri4u
ELECTION COMMISSION
Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners held two meetings Aug. 16.
The first was a special meeting where Elizabeth Gannon was chosen to be the new Executive Director after the resignation of Tom Bride.
The second, the Annual Meeting, started with swearing in new Commissioners Ryan Brady and Valerie Timms. Election of officers included Jim Manning retaining the chairmanship, with Matt Bartolo elected vice-chairman, Valerie Timms as treasurer, and Jeanne Williamson as secretary.
The commission anticipates 20,000 vote by mail ballots for the Nov. 8 election. This mailing will be done by Runbeck because the number is too large to handle in-house.
As of the board meeting, there were two referenda listed: 1) Dissolution of the Tuscarora Fire Department and its consolidation into an adjoining fire protection district and 2) a Fair Map question.
PEORIA PARK DISTRICT
On Aug. 10, Director Emily Cahill reported 12,000 Summer of Fun redemptions were made by Peoria students this summer.
She said the budgeting process has begun, with presentations scheduled for Nov. 2 and 9.
The Contributions Committee reported six students, children of PPD employees, were awarded a total of $4,500 in college scholarships.
League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. Check https://www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo.