Published: November 19, 2009 10:36 pm      

County facing tight financial situation

By RORYE O’CONNOR

rorye.oconnor@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Jefferson County is waiting on the state to pay its bills to help with the county’s delicate financial situation.

At Thursday’s fiscal committee meeting, Jefferson County Treasurer Debbie Elliot Marlow told the fiscal committee the working cash fund had been more than halved by November’s monthly claims, and the county’s general corporate account was at a low level as well.

“I think it’s the lowest it’s been for a real long time,” Marlow told the committee about the general corporate account, which was at a balance of $23,553.99 at the time of the meeting.

The working cash account, at an original balance of $250,851.88 was brought to $104,777.60 by payments to monthly claims.

“Our financial situation is not good,” said Ted Buck, fiscal committee chairman.

Marlow said the county was holding off on paying insurance premiums due in early December and bills on office supplies in order to pay November’s payroll to county employees. She told the committee she was hoping the state would make an $83,000 payment on income taxes soon.

“We’re looking for that to come in any day,” she said. “There’s a lot that the state owes us.”

According to information Marlow provided to the committee, the county is waiting on a total of $1,123,745.75 from a variety of sources, including state income tax, grant revenue, prisoner housing at the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, the state’s attorney salary and other sources. The one-fourth supplemental sales tax at a total of $99,780.03 and state sales tax at a total of $50,491.19 were paid Nov. 12.

Marlow warned the committee of another situation in the county.

“Taxes are not coming in this second installment,” she said. “The money’s not coming in. Tax receipts are gonna be down, and there’s gonna be a lot more late fees.”

In other business, the committee:

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to pay a $1,050 request for dues from the Illinois Association of County Board Members;

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to approve a resolution for participation in the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor’s Program.

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to approve the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget, which was posted for 30 days at the Jefferson County Courthouse;

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to approve the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 tax levy, with an increase of 104.99 percent from last year’s levy, meaning the county board would not have to hold a Truth in Taxation hearing;

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to pay all claims from November;

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to approve all payroll distribution reports, and;

Moved to suggest to the Jefferson County board to approve all pre-paid claims.