Departmental Hearings Continue

Finance Committee Meeting - Departmental Budget Hearings
November 5

Capital Budget:    
FY2021 Capital Budget  $517.1 million 
FY 2020 Capital Budget  $491.5 million
Difference - increase of $25.6 M 
$264.6 million for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for County facilities; 
$152.2 million for Transportation & Highway Program (THP) for County maintained road, bridges, and highways; $100.3 million for Capital Equipment Program (CEP) for County departments.

Highlights of Presentation:

• CFO Ammar Rizki explained the process for the creation of the Capital Budget.  They work with the departments to identify their requests.   Each project is evaluated to its relevance to the County’s Strategic Five-Year Plan, it’s life span, and how it will be financed.  Transportation projects are financed from the motor fuel tax, but most others are financed by debt (bonds).  They try to ensure funds are spread evenly over the various departments and offices.
• The County currently has $3.4 billion in outstanding debt.   Bonds have investment grade ratings.   The debt is managed so that payments do not adversely affect the operating fund—debt payments and do not rise more than 2% a year which is the projection for sales tax increase.  There is also a $400 million debt service ceiling.
• Construction projects focus on ADA requirements and extending the useful life of assets. They are working for county buildings to be carbon neutral by 2050.  They try to use in house trades for projects and tradesmen have been trained on solar panels.  As a result of Covid, they are looking at upgrading HVAC systems.
• Automation projects must comply with county IT standards and the ability to integrate with other systems.  They also focus on systems that allow for resident engagement. Systems are being moved away from mainframes to reduce maintenance costs.  The county has implemented its own network phone system.    The County Clerk is implementing an asset tracking system for election gear.
• A couple of commissioners noted that two years ago it was decided not to divert motor fuel tax to general projects and it is reserved for roads completely.   This has allowed for more road projects throughout the county.
• $53 million in project requests were denied.  Because of Covid, they were conservative in estimating future tax revenues.
• Commissioners commented on the ADA projects and expressed their importance to ensure residents can access county offices.

Clerk of the Circuit Court    

Proposed for 2021 Budget $120.471M                      Proposed FTEs for 2021 Budget - 1386
2020 Budget $ 123.646 M                                           FTEs in 2020 Budget - 1478.6
Difference - decrease of $3.175 M                            Difference - decrease of 92.6

Highlights of Presentation:

• The savings in the budget is a result of the ongoing automation initiatives in the Clerk’s office.  The Civil Division of the court was added to the Case Management System in 2020.  The County and Criminal Divisions were already on it.  This eliminates data entry work.  It is also moving the office systems off the mainframe.
• Volumes were down in the e-Filing system due to the Covid.
• Overtime costs increased because it was mandated that comp time be included in that line. Clerk Brown has negotiated with the unions that staff are given comp time instead of overtime pay.
• Office supplies went up significantly in 2021 (increase of $563,357) for PPE required for personnel who have to be in the office and courts in person.
• There is some savings in computer supplies because there is less need of printing.
• They have duplicated all electronic court documents in another state for disaster recovery purposes. 
• There are several initiatives remaining on the automation—adding criminal subsequent filings to the Case Management Systems, extending the use of the traffic ticketing system to the Chicago Police Department, working to have the Illinois Supreme Court make the e-files the official record.
• Commissioner Sylvestri asked about progress on the Shakman decree.  The judge required Clerk Brown to create a permanent employment plan which will be done by Nov. 19th.
• There were questions about the transition to the new Clerk.   Clerk Brown said she is putting together a transition file for the new Clerk.

Observer: Kathi Graffam