Cook County Board Budget Hearings Continue

Cook County Board Finance Committee - Departmental Budget Hearings
​Second day of Budget Hearings - October 18, 2016

Bureau of Administration - Includes the following:

1. Department of Environmental Control
2. Office of the Medical Examiner 
3. Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services 
4. Department of Transportation and Highways
5. Department of Animal and Rabies Control
6. Cook County Law Library  

Proposed Budget
2016:  $61 million
2017:  $124 million (increases due to salaries and addition of benefits moved from Fixed Charges, but also $22 million in additional Motor Fuel Tax Illinois First funds being available for use plus $39 million in additional grants being available for highway and environmental projects)
 
Overview by Chief Administrative Officer Martha Martinez:

• This Bureau is very diverse with 6 Departments, working to serve the residents of Cook County 
• They are committed to developing, coordinating and managing programs to enable County departments to better serve the residents of Cook County in a transparent, efficient and cost-effective manner
• In 2011 their head count of all employees in the Bureau was 567.1, for 2017-employee count for the Bureau will be 527.6 a decrease of 39.5 or a 7% decrease in the workforce.

Environmental Control - Proposed FTE's 23
Highlights of the presentations:

• Green Leadership Team-Cook County has surpass the goal of 10% and realized a decrease over 20% in GHG emissions from building energy for 2010-2015
• Improve Space Utilization-decrease in space usage at 69 W. Washington by 15%
• Liquid Hazardous Waste reporting-implementation will help protect the public ensuring that data on the stored hazardous chemicals is available to first responders.
• EASY Database- Phase II will include the Solid Waste and Asbestos/Demolition divisions in 2017, and will implement online payment and permit application process.

Questions/Comments from the Commissioners focused on:

• Since this Department looked at a site with Asbestos and Mercury issues, wanted to know should there be ways of expanding coverage to protect the public while there are gaps in State and Federal Law. (Was told that Environmental Control Department contacted the State EPA with not much success, they are working with State Legislators to resolve this issue)
• Are we doing all we can to protect the public, suggestion to look for Grants to help with this issue? (Was told yes they will do that)

Medical Examiner -  Dr. Arunkumar - Proposed FTEs - 115.3
Highlights of presentation: 

• The Medical Examiner is fully accredited with the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). Multiple STAR targets were met to attain full accreditation including turnaround time for autopsy reports, number of autopsies per pathologist, and turnaround time for toxicology reports.
• Subcontracting toxicology Services-Optimize toxicology turnaround time and reduce cost by subcontracting majority of toxicology tests. Stat carbon monoxide and alcohol testing will be done in-house.
• Many offices around the country are out sourcing toxicology services as it is increasingly difficult and costly to validate and test new emerging drugs and instruments and maintain accreditation
• A budget reduction of approximately $1 million is projected in FY17
• Reduced toxicology testing turnaround time allows for families to receive closure on cases of their loved ones much quicker from two months to one week.

Questions/ Concerns commissioners focused on:

• Much discussion on out- sourcing the Toxicology Services. Commissioners are worried about the reliability, efficiency and cost savings or out sourcing. (Was told this will be more efficient and turn around will be better, we currently do not have the personnel or equipment to handle the new emerging drugs such as Fentanyl and continued use of Heroin and to keep up with Gun violence deaths. It will also be more cost effective)
• Concerned with the layoffs- are we lying off people who are licensed? (Told that most have Bachelor or Master degree, they are not licensed. Those being laid off 16 union positions, ACSME.  This department is working to get these people hired in other positions)
• Concern for budget item for out sourcing testing, as there has not been an RFP for a contract. (Told they are in the process of sending out a RFP but there is room in the budget to accommodate the cost of out sourcing toxically services. If there if no RFP in 4 months that they can use the companies that they outsource over flow to do the testing temporarily.)
• Concern that there are only 2 companies that do this testing and they are not in Illinois. (Told will look for Illinois companies but these two are the best. Companies they use need to be fully accredited.)
• Concern about the burial of indigents especially those who died under the age of 16. Want to make sure they have a proper burial.
• Wanted to know how Gun Violence deaths involving Police Officers are handled. (Told that they are handled like any other homicide by gunshots, in addition to looking at the gun shot wound in an autopsy, they will look for other trauma to the body. Police cases are treated with high priority.

Department of Adoption & Family supportive Services - Proposed FTE's 11
Key Information Presented:

• Revised Home Study template to incorporate significant changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to help with court determination of an allocation of parent responsibilities.
• Established a partnership with the Clerk’s office to receive court order faster and with greater efficiency.
• Introduction of DAFSS’s Adoption disclosure law (sponsorship with state representative Sara Feigenholtz and Chicago Bar Association Adoption Committee) an amendment of adoption law which expands identifying information to include the reasons birth parent(s) placed child for adoption, how adoptive parents were identified, and whether or not birth parents agreed to post adoption contract.

Department of Transportation and Highways - Proposed FTE's 289.5
Key Information Presented:

• Approval of the County’s Long Range Transportation Plan
• Application of zero-based budgeting which requires a delicate balance of Department resources between operating costs and capital program needs,
• Release of a “Call For Projects” application in early 2017 for local governments to compete for County MFT funding.
• Funding for much of the activity of this department is being shifted to a Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Account

Comments/Concerns commissioners focused on:

• Happy with the sift to 501 account (MFT Account)
• Concerned that equitable distribution for transportation among all of the 17 districts.

Animal and Rabies Control - Dr. Donna Alexander, Administrator  - Proposed FTEs - 23 
Key Information Presented:

• Implement a new cloud-based case management system to increase the efficiency of the department’s operation.
• Train municipal first responders in both animal control and animal response in disaster allows the Department to provide more trained personnel without increasing County’s FTE’s.
• Improve the efficiency of low cost rabies clinics to reduce waiting time and increase the number of vaccinations. 

Concerns/Comments commissioners focused on: 

• Commissioners want to build an Animal Shelter especially in the Southern suburbs (Told that this would be expensive even if they were to purchase an old warehouse. Cost of renovations very high and not in budget)
• Believe the mission of the Animal and Rabies Control should be broader. (Told the mission is to prevent the spread of the fatal disease of rabies to humans and companion animals through vaccination, registration, education, legislation and surveillance. To work with the veterinary community to educate the public regarding emerging animal communicable diseases and responsible pet ownership. To enforce State and County Animal Control Ordinances. This is a state mandated department and functions and duties are determined by State of Illinois.  No mission is perfect but they planning to expand education.
• Concerned by Dog Tags there should be away for stay dogs when picked up to be tracked to Animal Hospital so owners can be found before they are pounded and possibly euphemized.
• Animal abuser registry (Told in the process completing)
• Wants notification when rabies shots will expire. (Told no room on certification for email address, and Veterinarian Offices already do this)
• Increase number of clinics that will put an identification chip in animals (Told there are currently 3 Clinics in Cook County, expensive to do because of sanitation issues.
• Puppy Mill ban (Told currently 2 court cases for puppy mills, one case they were able to take away the dogs the second case the people were in compliance with the laws.
• There should shorter pick up time for wildlife that is threatening the public. (Told new Warden was hired but it takes time for training)

 There were many more questions and concerns. It was decided that Commissioners interested in this issue should meet with Animal Control and send them questions and concerns.

The Veterans Affairs Commission used to have it own budget line in the Budget. It is now under the auspices of the Bureau of Administration. There were many Veterans present during the Budget Hearing. Bill Browne, Director for Cook County Department of Veteran Affairs spoke of the concern of many veterans that their services will be cut. Tanya Anthony Director of Budget and Commissioners stated that this would not happen and assured them that the budget for next year is the same as in 2016 at $500,075.  

Cook County Law Library  - Proposed FTEs - 30
Key Information Presented

• Approximately 114,700 patrons visited the Law Library in 2016.
• Offered over two dozen educational programs for the public and the legal profession in new renovated training facilities

​Meeting lasted 31/2 hours, all Commissioners except Schneider present.

Bureau of Human Resources - Velisha Haddox, Bureau Chief 
Proposed Budget
2016:  $4.35 million
2017:  $5.15 million proposed (difference mainly due to salary increases and addition of benefits moved from Fixed Charges, where they were in 2016)

Proposed FTEs 
2016:  48 FTEs
2017:  45 proposed

Key Information Presented:

• The County Board has ratified 93% of the 2012-2017 bargaining contracts. Successful in all the interest arbitrations. Consistent with the County’s obligation under CBAs. BHR has scheduled all 3rd step hearings within 30 days of receiving the union’s request.
• BHR has expanded the management and supervisory trainings to include progressive discipline, time, and attendance management training.
• For FY16, BHR set a goal of 98 days to fill vacancies from Request to Hire to the effective Start Day of Hire, which BHR has accomplished. For FY17, target will decrease to 90 days.
• Cost per drug test because of out sourcing reduced from $148 per drug test in FY16 to $55 per drug test in FY17

Question/Comments from Commissioners focused on:

• Want to know total of number of vacancies, layoffs, and new hiring in the County not including CCHHS. (Told Commissioners will be sent this information)
• There is an increase in Civil Litigation cases concerning civil rights, want to know how this is handled, and how much is paid out. In addition what are we doing about disciplining for Health related incidence, Police issues, and Sexual harassment.  (Told that there is discipline training for the staff. Due to the lateness of the day a more complete answer will be given later in the Budget process)
• Lack of Wellness in healthcare plan. (Told this is more costly but there are plans for Wellness education programs. Wellness programs have been discussed in the past but not implemented.
• Since the Medical Unit, which did drug testing and physicals, has been disbanded what will happen to the employees working there?  There were 5 FTE’s (non-union) and they are trying to help them look for other positions. 
• Can the Medical Division be moved to HHS instead of being eliminated and would that save money? (Told HHS does not have the capacity for the entire drug testing (about 2000-drug test in FY15). Very comfortable with out sourcing drug testing. BHR would need to do a cost analysis.)
• Question concerning the hiring of someone with a criminal background or involved in a County lawsuit..  How long is this kept on file at the BHR and is it easy for them to reapply for job? (Told, it is kept on permanent record for a few years. They do background check on each applicant.   Information about employees involved with a lawsuit is also part of his/her permanent record also for a few years.
• Wants, information about diversity within Cook County employees, numbers by gender and ethnicity. (Told they will send all Commissioners this information. 
• As the Medical Unit is disbanded, and no RFP has been sent out for contracts to do drug testing etc., how will you handle this by Dec. 1 when the layoffs will occur. (Told drug testing will continue) A Commissioner was not happy with this because he feels that Contracts needs to be approved by the Board and since there is not enough time to do an RFP and have it approved by the Board, this Bureau is going around the Board to get this done.  This is not a good situation.

All commissioners except Schneider were present.

Secretary to the Board of Commissioner - Matthew DeLeon

Proposed Budget - (This includes the Commissioners and their staff as well as the Secretary to the Board)
2016:  $7.62 million
2017:  $8.98 million (increase due to salaries for employees, not Commissioners whose salaries are fixed by law at $85,000, plus addition of benefits moved from Fixed Charges)
 
2016:  87.5 FTEs
2017:  88.1 FTEs

Key Information Presented:

• Moving to modernize and make accessible the County Board Room, Commissioners’ Offices and President’s Office - to bring them into ADA Compliance.
• 5th floor to be completely renovated including enlarging the Board Room to hold 160 seats. There will be separate seating for staff and guest. Design phase to begin in FY17 with completion planned for FY18
• Chairing and staffing the Cook County Historic Advisory Council, per Board Resolution. The goal is to Develop the history of Cook County and have it ready in 15 years, the 200 Anniversary of Cook County. All Cook County Departments are creating histories. This will be a permanent and virtual Archive and will be important in the role CC government played in the development of Cook County.
• Live streaming of Board proceedings is a success. Total page views of County Board meetings and committee meetings this year total 74,761 to date.

Question/Comments from Commissioners focused on:

• Concerned that there are differences in the budgets of Commissioners. Thought all were to take an 8% reduction in budget. (Told, all commissioners have same budget although not equal. There is a difference in salaries because of benefits. Some Commissioners and staff use the benefits; some do not because they receive benefits from other sources. In addition some employees have worked in the department longer than others.
• It was stated that all Commissioner’s offices are budgeted for 1 Commissioner and 4 Staff members - But benefits and length of employment differ and this makes the budget look larger for some Commissioners.
• It was also noted that accumulated sick and vacation pay gets charged back to a Commissioner when a staff members leaves this also changes the budget.
• It was suggested that the budget line items for salary should be shown in two parts, with benefits and without.  
• It was suggested that they should create an amendment to equalize the 17 Commissioner’s budget as in the past. This will be considered at the end of the budget process

Note: The Commissioner's proposed budgets range from $405,638 to $520,616.  This is why there were concerns expressed by some Commissioners whose budgets are significantly smaller than others.

All were present except for Schneider.
Observer - Nancy Marcus