APPROVAL OF PROPERTY TRANSFER VIA TAX DEED

               Chairperson Leifheit invited County Treasurer, Christine Johnson to address the committee on the resolution for the Approval of Property Transfer via Tax Deed. Ms. Johnson distributed a map of a parcel to the committee along with the resolution. (A copy of which is on file along with these minutes in the Finance Office). She told the committee this was the fourth year of the Delinquent Property Liquidation Program. She reminded the committee of the process and explained when people don’t pay their property taxes they then go to tax sale. If the tax is not paid within that 3 year period, the County takes deed of the property which is then sold at auction through bids. The property offered for bid is in DeKalb, Illinois. Mr. Kenneth J. Stramam was the highest bidder at $938.02.

               Ms. Christine Johnson then continued to address the committee on a resolution to Approve Banks and Credit Unions as Depositories of Public Funds in the custody of the DeKalb County Treasurer (A copy of which is on file along with these minutes in the Finance Office). She informed the committee that this task is preformed annually as a "housekeeping event". The list includes banks inside and outside of the county. The only change this year is that a number of the banks bordering outside the county now fall under the Old Second Bank as their parent bank. Many of those banks are used for the convenience to taxpayers in real estate tax collection. Chairperson Leifheit thanked Ms. Johnson.

               Mr. Bockman introduced to the committee on the process of implementing a "new" Exempt Employee Evaluation Policy which was adopted in 2003. A memo addressing the policy and the "Standard Work Plan" was previously sent to the committee for their study (A copy of which is on file along with these minutes in the Finance Office). Mr. Bockman explained to the committee that he and the 8 exempt employees tried to develop some consistency on the plan and made them one page in length. He said that they had settled on developing a simplified statement (7-10 statements) covering the major elements of the job and what would measure a successful completion of the items. Then in September of 2004, Mr. Bockman and the oversight committee will assess whether or not they have successfully completed their tasks. He urged the committee to approve the plan so that everyone is clear as to what they are to expected to have completed by the end of the year.

               Mr. Wilson asked if he met with the employees. Mr. Bockman reported that they met individually as well as in a group and found it to be an enjoyable process. Mr. Wilson also asked if there would be any revisions to the plan later. Mr. Bockman stated that the system was a work in progress. He said he felt it would be an improvement over what had gone on most recently, and will now be focusing on the tasks. Mr. Sands asked about advancing steps on a Career Step Plan. Mr. Bockman stated that the step movement of the plan relate to CPI. Chairman Leifheit asked if it was received well? Mr. Bockman stated he was optimistic and it was very well received. He reported on one criticism of the previous system by both the exempt employees and the board, in that it had developed into a homogenized pass/fail system. He stated that it did a fair job getting conversation going about performance and also did a fair job spotlighting problems. He concluded by saying that he looked forward to future years using this new system. There being no objections, the standard work plan for the Facility Manager, the Information Management director and the Deputy County Administrator were accepted as presented.

               Mr. Faivre, who also serves as chairman of the Administrative Services Study Sub Committee, distributed a memo which had been previously sent to the members of this committee, regarding the final findings/recommendations on Exceptional Performance dated December 1, 2003. (A copy of which is on file along with these minutes in the Finance Office). Mr. Faivre called on Mr. Wilson as he had expressed an interest in adding an additional comment. Mr. Wilson stated that the committee had done a very good job and that he thought that item #2 ("That a reserve be established within the general fund equal to 5% of the total gross compensation of the eight eligible managers in advance of the program each year.") should be changed keeping the 5% in the first year but the second year and every year thereafter, adding to the reserve of an amount equal to the prior year to maintain 5%. Mr. Bockman stated that it was never intended to be a growing account and that it would be wiser to state "maintain a reserve equal to 5% of the gross. Chairperson Leifheit asked if every department head could get a bonus each year? Mr. Bockman stated that they could theoretically, but this recommendation is very strongly couched in terms making it nearly impossible, if not impossible. Mr. Van Buer used a comparison that merits are like bananas, they come in bunches and people seem to think they will come every year. "But, you can’t expect something is going to be meritorious every year. So when you say everyone is eligible it assumes everybody is every year and then it reduces the significance." Mr. Bockman added that they wanted it to be a bonus rather than an add-on to the base.

               The discussion brought up various degrees of interest in the program. Chairperson Leifheit asked who would decide? Mr. Bockman stated that the Executive Committee would be the authority. He also stated that the nominations could be self-nominations or any member of the board could nominate someone as well. Mr. Steimel voiced concern about the amount allowable (10%) for a bonus. Mr. Bockman and Mr. Faivre assured him that the restrain that is within the Executive Committee’s recommendations. Mr. Sands asked if what a typical exempt employee would receive if they moved a step. Mr. Bockman stated the employee would receive double the CPI.

               Mr. Wilson asked Mr. Hanson if the Success Program was still being implemented. Mr. Hanson responded that the program was still in place but that no applications had been filed. Chairperson Leifheit asked for any further questions or comments and with none received, she called for a motion to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

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Sue Leifheit, Chairman