Introduction
In this article, we will provide a detailed summary and updates from the DuPage County Finance Committee Meeting held on August 22, 2023. The committee discussed various topics related to finance, budget transfers, and resolutions. Throughout the meeting, important decisions were made to ensure the smooth functioning of the county’s financial operations. Here are the key points discussed during the meeting:
Roll Call and Quorum
The meeting began with a roll call to establish the presence of committee members. The following members were present: Cahill, Chaplin, Childress, Covert, Eckhoff, Evans, Glassy, Garcia, Gustin, Krajewski, OZak, Rutledge, Schwarzi, and Tornatorium. With a quorum established, the committee proceeded with the agenda.
Public Comment
No public comments were received during the meeting.
Chairwoman’s Remarks
The Chairwoman made remarks regarding a meeting held on August 14th between the County finance staff, State’s Attorney staff, and auditors from Baker Tilly. During the meeting, Baker Tilly reviewed bank account information and determined that the provided information satisfied fiduciary obligations. As a result, a note on the County’s audit annual report will be removed. The Chairwoman also mentioned that the Circuit Clerk had submitted audited financial reports to the finance department, which is a positive development.
Discussion on Fraud Risk and Audits
A member expressed concerns about the risk of fraud despite the removal of the note from the audit report. They emphasized that audits do not detect fraud, and strong internal controls are necessary to mitigate the risk. While the State’s Attorney didn’t feel the need to discuss this further, the member urged the committee to consider the underlying issue and the importance of addressing fraud risk.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
The committee approved the minutes of the previous finance committee regular meeting held on Tuesday, August 8th, with no corrections or changes.
Budget Transfers
Several budget transfer requests were discussed and approved during the meeting. These transfers were necessary to address specific needs and ensure the efficient allocation of funds. Here are the details of the approved budget transfers:
-
Transfer of Funds from Other Professional Services to Overtime: Due to the implementation of a new tax assessment system, a backlog of data entry existed. To address this, funds in the amount of $25,000 were transferred from other professional services to overtime. The purpose of the transfer was to bring the backlog up to date and support the daily operations of the Supervisor of Assessments office.
-
Transfer of Funds from Regular Salaries to Professional Services, Printing, and Operating Supplies: Funds in the amount of $16,000 were transferred from regular salaries to cover expenses related to professional services, printing, operating supplies, and materials. This transfer was necessary to meet the ongoing needs of the respective departments.
-
Budget Transfers for Various Companies and Accounting Units: The committee approved budget transfers for various companies and accounting units, ensuring the necessary funds were available for their operations.
Contracts and Purchase Orders
The committee reviewed and approved several contracts and purchase orders during the meeting. These contracts were related to the purchase of equipment, supplies, and services required for various county departments. Here are the details of the approved contracts and purchase orders:
-
Approval of Contract and Purchase Order for Forklift Purchase: The committee approved a contract and purchase order issued to Midway Industrial for the purchase of a forklift. The total contract amount was set at $32,606.30, and the purchase was necessary to support the transportation needs of the county.
-
Approval of Contract and Purchase Order for Animal Services: The committee approved a contract and purchase order issued to Jordan’s Health Care LLC for the rental of fluid immersion simulation mattress systems for beds at the DuPage Care Center. The contract, valid from September 8, 2023, to September 7, 2024, had a total contract amount not to exceed $36,600.
-
Approval of Contract and Purchase Order for Pharmaceuticals: The committee approved a contract and purchase order issued to Cardinal Health Inc for the purchase of primary pharmaceuticals for the DuPage Care Center. The contract period was set from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025, with a total contract amount not to exceed $4,800,000.
Updates from Various Committees
The committee reviewed and approved several resolutions and updates from various committees. Here are the highlights:
-
Human Services Committee: The committee discussed and approved amendments to resolutions related to employment barrier reduction pilot programs, veterinarian medicines, and primary food supplies. The total contract amounts for these resolutions varied based on the specific services and products.
-
Judicial Public Safety Committee: The committee approved an amendment to a resolution related to loss prevention services. The amendment increased the contract amount by $18,209, resulting in an amended contract total of $324,148.19.
-
Public Works Committee: The committee approved contracts with Arlington Glass and Mirror Company for window glazing services and with Camera Water Solutions Inc for the delivery of liquid ferric chloride to the wastewater treatment plant. These contracts were necessary to ensure the proper functioning of County facilities.
-
Technology Committee: The committee approved contracts related to the upgrade of Windows services and the purchase of software licensing. These contracts were essential for the smooth operation of the County’s information technology systems.
-
Transportation Committee: The committee approved contracts with Mohawk Lifts and Energy City Corporation for the purchase and installation of heavy-duty vehicle lifts. These contracts aimed to meet the transportation needs of the County and its respective departments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the DuPage County Finance Committee Meeting held on August 22, 2023, was a productive session where important financial decisions were made. The committee approved budget transfers, contracts, and purchase orders to ensure the seamless functioning of County operations. Updates from various committees highlighted the progress being made in different areas. The County’s commitment to efficient financial management and meeting the needs of its residents was evident throughout the meeting.