Governance Task Force
Meeting is Wednesday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m.
that agenda:
http://rockislandcounty.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=39718&libID=1000007579
The chairman of the county board,
Mr. Maranda, pulled the Governance Task Force Resolution of the full
county board meeting agenda. He states this was per request from County
Administrator Dave Ross and State's Attorney John McGehee.
He went on to say that the State's Attorney is still reviewing and
wishes to postpone until next month's meeting to prepare the March
meeting's legal disclaimer questions or any other questions that may
arise.
It is expected to be on the
March meeting's agenda on Tuesday, March 22nd.
In the Government Affairs
Committee, which I am a member, I said this regarding downsizing:
http://www.druemielke.com/documents/rico_govt_affairs_downsizing-drue_mielke.mp3
Discussion of
pulling the reform resolution off the county board agenda
RICO Board member Drue Mielke visits with
Dan and Dan to talk about the Governmental Affairs Committee resolution
that was passed but pulled from the agenda of the upcoming meeting. The
resolution would recommend shrinking the size of the board from 25 to
15, require five year budgets, and end pension and health benefits used
by some board members.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3B0ED7nEN-s
Attending the
Governance Task Force Meeting... 9 a.m. Thursday, February 4th, 2016
Listening, I hear
communication is key to the public.
In this meeting, I note that
we are hearing concerns about the proposed referendum to build an annex
to the Justice center that will hold courtrooms and other offices and
shutter the courthouse.
No plans have been presented
yet.
http://rockislandcounty.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=39718&libID=1000007579
Some comments include:
No 5 year Capital plan.
Deferred maintenance on county property.
Would you support some kind of revenue mechanism for the county general
fund?
Culture change has begun with county administrator!
Is 25 too large? With the county administrator, this has become an
easier question. No one said “don’t
decrease the board”
Advisory referenda expressed that 15 members and a strong preference for
no multi-member district.
County board members have been eligible to take IMRF and health
insurance. At a time when there is great sacrifice of our employees and
taxpayers, and when the state is in a pension crisis, strong public
opinion to have self-sacrifice and remove those benefits.
Pay has been decreased over time by prior boards:
Per diem pay was established that 80% of pay is
for attending meetings. No one thought this
$6000 amount was an egregious amount.
County reserves? We have no general fund unembumbered balance.
Our buildings are suffering from years of deferred maintenance.
25% reserve is 3 months.
Public awareness and openness are critical. Our
agenda and minutes are very detailed.
The goal is dialog between our elected officials.
Responsible budgeting is a problem with the deferred
maintenance of our RICo properties by past boards. The county
board is serious about this and the administrator is serious about
budgeting.
I will be posting the final findings as soon as
they are public.
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