County sales tax receipts improving

Not great, but better.

During the Nov. 18 meeting of the Randolph County Board, County Treasurer Justin Jeffers gave an update on the county's finances.

Jeffers told the board that the county's sales tax, the decline of which has been an ongoing issue for the past several years, is up around $30,000 per month for August and September compared to a year ago.

"Our sales tax has been up from a year ago, that's really good news," Jeffers said. "If it stays that way, that's great news."

Jeffers noted that no borrowing transfers have occurred in the Randolph County Care Center money market account since July 27 and average sales tax receipts are ranging around $60,000.

"The numbers are going in a better direction than they were," he said.

The third distribution of real estate taxes is conservatively estimated to bring $120,000 to the county and other receivables for the month of December - which include sales tax, supplemental sales tax, replacement tax and income tax - would total around $300,000.

But those will not be deposited before the next pay period, which occurs on Dec. 2. The county held $1,620,149.87 in its general fund as of last Friday, with a projected account balance of $1.5 million after the Dec. 2 payroll.

Jeffers noted that the county could survive for at least eight weeks with the cash it has on hand if it did not receive any further revenue. That does not include money market accounts.

The RCCC money market balance was $1,199,463.71 as of last Friday. Jeffers also noted that the state is now two months behind on its tax receipts instead of three months.

"Hopefully, we're finding bottom now and starting to go the other direction," said Commissioner Dave Holder, who is also the county's budget director.

Holder said he is working on a "tentative budget" for the upcoming fiscal year. After the Public Safety Tax failed to pass during the Nov. 8 general election, Holder said the commissioners would meet with county officeholders last week to discuss options on how to trim expenditures.

"We're still in the process of doing that," Holder said, when asked if the meeting took place. "We're continuing to work our way through them and I'm waiting for (Jim) Schmersahl to weigh in on it."

Schmersahl is the county's CPA and is expected to meet with Holder soon to discuss the fiscal year 2017 budget that will voted on during the board's Dec. 1 meeting.

Holder was asked if the county would put the PST back on the ballot for April's municipal and school board elections.

"We're seeking input on that," he said. "I think it goes without saying that the officeholders are concerned about staffing levels."

In the months leading up to the election, it was made public that as many as 20 full-time county jobs could be lost if the PST was not passed, as the county is facing a projected $1 million shortfall in its fiscal year 2016 budget.

"We're obviously having discussions with the unions," Holder said.

Holder said the recent announcement of the Nu-Rock plant in Baldwin would have the impact of improved employment, but not sales tax.

The plant, which could create up to 100 manufacturing jobs in the county, would take the Baldwin Energy Complex's coal ash and turn it into low-cost, environmentally friendly building materials.

"It's an economic improvement, not a raise of sales tax," Holder said.

In other news, the board received the latest update on the improvements to the Randolph County Courthouse, with the project expected to be wrapped up by early December.

All air handling units are running and all ductwork connections are complete, as is electrical work. Pipe work is nearing completion and Honeywell expects to perform system operation training on Dec. 6.

"They are ahead of schedule and doing well," said Board Chairman Marc Kiehna.

As one project nears completion, another begins as Geissler Roofing will begin replacing the roof on the Randolph County Jail soon. The project is expected to take three weeks.

Roundup

• General assistance for the period was $1,257.14 with administrative costs at $1,649.89.

• The board formally approved a new ordinance to allow a levy for the gravel tax, which must be done every five years.

• The board approved transferring $150,000 from the working cash fund to the social security fund.

• The board approved transferring $425,000 from the working cash fund to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

• The board accepted a bid of $7,680 from Willard and Elaine Knop for the sale of the Goetting home at 1037 E. Broadway between Steeleville and Percy. Kiehna noted that the Knop family originally built the house.

• The Randolph County Care Center reported 62 residents.

• During public comment, Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator Chris Martin presented the commissioners with an award the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail Coalition won for "Outstanding Local Government Achievement."