The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill correspondent
The Hancock County Board approved a budget for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2024. The balanced budget, approved during their Nov. 21 meeting, included an estimated General Fund revenue and expenses of $5,052,199.
Finance Committee chairman, Wayne Bollin, and Jake Johnson, a representative from Bellwether LLC, explained aspects of the budget during a public hearing held before the regular meeting. Bellwether is a Peoria based consulting firm that helps to both public and private sector clients with budgeting.
Johnson noted that county property taxes are only part of the income that goes into the General Fund.
“Money comes from income sources in various offices of the county, such as fees and fines, county sales taxes, and other state tax receipts,” Johnson said.
According to Bollin, the budget includes new step increases in wages that honor long term employees.
“These steps increase wages automatically at 5, 10, 15 and 20 plus years of service,” Bollin said. “Health insurance costs will stay the same, the same cost to our employees and the same cost to the county,” Bollin added.
The county levies money for 18 funds along with the General Fund and the Ambulance Fund.
The Ambulance Fund levy is higher for the coming year, because of the tax rate increase that was approved by voters in April. Bollin noted that the ambulance levy rate in this budget is 11 cents, and does not use the full 25 cent amount that was approved.
The Hancock Building Commission levy is $200,000 higher, due to anticipated expenses to replace the court house roof, and to renovate the new EMS building.
“As chairman of this board, I take my hat off to the Finance Committee,” said Mark Menn. “You guys have done due diligence, put a lot of time in this. As you met as a committee over the last two months, you really took into consideration the tax payers of the county and doing what is in the best interest of this county. Our office holders in this county do a wonderful job in managing their budgets.”
Jack Curfman was honored with a plaque and a cake, on his retirement after 26 years as the county ESDA director.
The Health Committee minutes reported that Jeff Totten was offered and has accepted the part-time position as ESDA director, He will begin the job Dec. 1, pending approval by the full board at a special meeting Nov. 29. The salary is $16,000 as ESDA director with an additional $2,400 as flood plain manager.
Larry Mulch was present and gave the board information on the progress of the Hancock County New Illinois committee, working to create a new state separate from Cook County.
Nicole Elkin, director of Hearts of Hancock animal shelter, asked the board about the plan for managing animals, before a new animal control officer is hired and during the time the system is being evaluated. She was invited to come to the county Health Committee meetings to work with them.
Christopher Pratt introduced himself to the board, and explained he is running for Hancock County State’s Attorney.
A contract was awarded to County Contractors, Inc., to replace a bridge in LaHarpe Township for $994,930. This is a matching fund project with the county and township each paying 10 percent, and the rest paid with federal funds. The board approved the 2024 estimate and resolution for the maintenance of county roads.
The board approved giving $5,000 each to the Tri-County Fire Protection District and the Warsaw First Responders. This was not done last year. The Health Committee believes these groups should be supported, now that the ambulance fund is in a position to help.
The board accepted extending insurance coverage with Ramsey Financial.
Wayne Bollin, county Finance Committee chairman, and Jake Johnson from Bellwether LLC, confer about the budget that was approved at this meeting.