The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
A new system of recording property assessments will simplify appraisals for the Hancock County Assessment Office, and will make more information available on-line for property owners.
The Hancock County Board approved purchase of a CAMA system for recording property assessments. The computer-assisted mass appraisal system will digitize information collected by township property assessors.
The system will cost $14,000 the first year for set-up and training, and will continue at $10,000 in the following years.
The new Supervisor of Assessments, Michael McVey, as well as previous supervisors, have recommended the system. Currently township assessors are using cost manuals from 2000.
The CAMA keeps track of depreciation and makes yearly updates, provides for uniform assessments, and records the assessment card in a digital system that can be accessed by property owners.
Finance Committee chairman, Wayne Bollin, said the system would take four years for the whole county to be computerized, since one quarter of the county property is reassessed each year.
In the finance committee report, Bollin noted that the year end budget review of FY24 showed the county had taken in 97 percent of the estimated revenue, and spent only 93 percent in expenses.
“This four percent difference resulted in a $222,000 surplus overall in the General Fund at the end of the year,” Bollin said. “This is a testament to our officeholders, who are very careful to stay within their budgets.”
At a special meeting on Dec. 27, the board discussed the EMS contract with Memorial Hospital. A motion was approved to extend the current EMS contract with Memorial Hospital for 90 days while final details are negotiated.
The board approved a resolution requiring County Board President, Mark Menn, and Bollin to both sign off on any transfers between funds if this is needed during the year. The board approved a supplemental budget and appropriations ordinance, amending any specific budget line item amounts that had been transferred in the past year.
The board recognized the Hancock County Historical Society and County Clerk Holly Wilde-Tillman for the first Hancock County Bicentennial observance that was held Jan. 13. A morning flag raising ceremony acknowledged bicentennial farm owners, Dan and Deb Moffitt of Nauvoo. An afternoon program in the main court room included a proclamation of the bicentennial, historic information by Steven Evans and Joy Swearingen, and details of other events planned during the year.
Several county vehicles were declared as surplus so they can be sold. One is a medium duty bus used by the Hancock County Public Transportation System, acquired through CVP, an Illinois vehicle procurement grant program. The county holds the title.
Three vehicles from the sheriff’s department were named as surplus, a 2012 Chevy Tahoe, a 2013 Ford Explorer, and a 2017 Dodge Durango.
The board acknowledged the gift of a large winter photograph of the courthouse, donated by Patsy Davis, after her retirement from the board.
Appointments were approved for Melissa Shriver-Hackamack as commissioner of Hunt-Lima Drainage District, and Harry Douglas to the Hancock County Board of Health.