Treasurer explains borrowing is necessary due to cash flow

Treasurer Bill Taylor told the County Board that the recent tax anticipations warrants are due to cash flow difficulties. The county has had to borrow many times in the past for the same reason.

While the budget allows office holders to spend the funds allotted to them in the various line items, it does not specify when the money can be spent. That means more funds can be expended than have been received. Revenue comes in each month, with the bulk arriving with the first real estate tax payment each year.

Tax anticipation warrants borrow against the real estate taxes the county will receive later in the year.

Perry County passed a deficit budget for the current fiscal year, anticipating revenue of $6,966,750 and expenditures of $7,138,532.

In other business, the board:

• passed a resolution approving a partnership with ProAct Prescription drug benefit program.

• authorized Chairman Bobby Kelly to sign a lease agreement with UIUC for a 20 x 30 foot community garden plot behind the government building, pending State's Attorney David Stanton's approval of the contract.

• called a special meeting for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20 to approve a five-year contract with the laborers' Union employees at the Highway Department. The new contract provides for a $.36 per hour raise on the anniversary date of the contract and a $.12 per hour raise on June 1 for the first four years. Wage increases in the fifth year will be determined by the Consumer Price Index. The contract also limits recall rights to 24 months and specifies that new hires will be paid $4 per hour less than current employees the first year, $3 the second year, $2 the third year and $1 the fourth year, reaching the current pay scale in their fifth year.