Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

BERMAN, Lenert, Juby, Lewis, Sanchez, Surges, Tepe & ex-officios Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

9:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Berman called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Dale Berman

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Leslie Juby

Board Member Anita Lewis

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Clifford Surges

Board Member Vern Tepe

PRESENT

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan*, Bates, Gumz*, Kenyon, Kious*, Linder*,

Molina*, Roth, Strathmann; Treasurer Lauzen; Deputy Auditor Laird; Fin. Exec. Dir.

Hopkinson & staff Bowles, Cofer, Clinnin; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock & staff

Lasky*, Kash; KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert*; State's Atty. staff Frank, Shepro*, Hunt; Dev.

Dir. VanKerkhoff; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson* & staff Snowden*; OEM Dir. Buziecki;

Court Admin. O'Brien*; Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust; HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo; and

members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

There were no remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: April 24, 2024

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Anita Lewis

Public Comment (Agenda Items)

Kane County resident, Cathy Flesburg, shared her sadness about the Pledge of

Allegiance not being recited at the beginning of every Committee meeting. In

conducting her own research on the County financials, she found that the County

Board does not receive or approve all checks that are going out from the County.

(Madam Chairman Pierog arrived in-person at 9:06 a.m.) Referring to the Accounts

Payable Report, Flesburg listed the items that are not being looked over by the County

Board, such as Procurement Cards. She noted that the County's website financial

archives have not been updated since 2021. She explained that as more committees

are being developed, separate General Ledger Account numbers should be made in

order to keep track of budgets. She noted that unless these expenses are printed, then

the County Board cannot see what is going on with the annual budget. Flesburg spoke

on the resolution regarding the authorization of an emergency appropriation and

budget adjustment request amending Resolution 24-076. She thought the County

Board could not make adjustments to payroll, taxes, insurance, unemployment, and

IMRF accounts. Once a check is written, funds need to remain in the account until the

check clears. She urged the Committee to find another way to transfer the $100K. She

shared her concern about the County balancing the budget by the end of the year.

Additionally, Flesburg spoke on the two resolutions pertaining to BID# 23-032. She

voiced that the price of the bid of $449K was extremely high for the amount of work that

needs to be done. She asked the Committee to question this bid price. Flesburg urged

the County Board, as a whole, to work on finding adequate budget cuts. Lastly,

Flesburg stated that the proclamation brought forth by County Board Member David

Young regarding Kane County's stance on illegal immigrants voting should be placed

on the Kane County Board meeting agenda.

Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

None.

Treasurer's Report (C. Lauzen)

Monthly Report

Treasurer Lauzen stated the monthly report was on file. He commended the

Treasurer's Office, County Clerk, and Supervisor of Assessments on the smooth

operation of collecting property taxes. These offices have the duty of collecting

$1.6B from 199K property tax payers. Lauzen shared the Projected versus

Promised versus Actual Performance regarding Interest Earned for Fiscal Years

2023-2024. He stated that the County has accrued approximately $17M, which

is an additional $15M for the County Board to utilize. In FY2024, the interest

earned projection is 600% more than last year's annual budget, or approximately

$12M. At this point, the County will either meet or exceed the targeted amount of

$12M. In his four-year term as County Treasurer, he has projected that the

County will have approximately $40M-$50M in interest earned to utilize. Lauzen

explained that the perception of the general rule for employing interest earned is

that the County cannot use it on cash balances, unless specifically allowed.

However, state statute says the opposite. While speaking to the Illinois

Department of Revenue Director David Harris, Lauzen was advised to look at

State Statute 3-11/005. This statute states that all earning accrued on any

investment or deposit made by the County Treasurer shall be credited to and

paid into the County Treasury for the benefit for the County's corporate fund to

be used for county purposes, except as provided otherwise. He explained that

the exceptions are what should be looked into when deciding to use the interest

earned income. He stated that whomever will look into these should understand

that the general rule is that interest income is usable, with some restrictions. As

the County moves closer to balancing the annual budget, they are going to need

to have more funding available. The interest earned income could be that

funding. Lauzen stated that according to the U.S. Department of Treasury's

regulations: Cash Management, the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund

and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund payments made to recipients are

not subjected to the requirements of Cash Management Improvement Act and

the Treasury's implementing regulations. As such, recipients can place funds in

interest barring accounts and do not need to remit interest to the Treasury and

are not limited to using that interest for eligible uses under the award. Lauzen

stated that in Kane County, there is a bookkeeping entry that the County Board

could direct to scatter all this money across 300 funds, making the amount

minuscule. The County must concentrate their funding on the most important

areas in order to aggregate money to accomplish the task at hand. Lauzen and

ASA Frank addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued.

Auditor's Report (P. Wegman)

Monthly Report

Deputy Auditor Laird stated the monthly report was on file. No additional report

was made.

Approving April 2024 Claims Paid

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Finance Director's Report (K. Hopkinson)

Monthly Finance Reports

Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated the monthly financial reports were on file. She

presented the General Fund - General Account Analysis from the past five

years. This analysis explains some of the differences of the current year and the

past. Hopkinson noted that she will continue to provide this analysis in the

monthly financial reports moving forward. She spoke on the fund balance

utilization line within the analysis. The budget for FY2024 utilized approximately

$10M in reserves to balance the General Fund's budget. When looking at the

actual column, because of changes in cash flow, such as tax payments, the

General Fund will show a decrease in revenue with expenses being flat.

Currently, the County is using more of it's fund balance. This will change next

month, once the revenue from property taxes is entered. Hopkinson hopes this

report is helpful in allowing the Committee to see how the fund balance is

utilized. She addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Discussion ensued. Hopkinson mentioned the elimination of the grocery tax. In

Kane County, this tax brought in revenue of approximately $2M per month. She

reviewed the issues on calculating the exact amount of sales tax revenue. She

stated that after speaking with the Illinois Department of Revenue, she learned

that it is very difficult to get an accurate read on the impact of eliminating such

tax, because they do not track retailers who code their transactions. Further

discussion ensued.

Hopkinson spoke on the Kane County audit process. The County's Audit Firm,

Baker Tilly, has announced that Kane County will receive a clean audit opinion

for FY2023. Hopkinson notified the Committee that the Finance Department is

still drafting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. She stated that the

FY2025 Budget process is underway. Most of the departments/offices are

finishing up their budgets. Over the next few weeks, she hopes to have all

departments/offices meet with their respective committee chairmen. In July

2024, each department/office will present their annual budget to their home

committee. Hopkinson spoke on the new tools and technology the Finance

Department has been able to utilize to save time on the budget process. She

recognized the Finance Department's new employees. She introduced Senior

Accountant/Budget Analyst, Christopher Bowles, summer intern, Sydney Clinnin,

and Grant Administrator, Paul Cofer. Grant Administrator Cofer introduced

himself. He spoke on the different departments he will be focused on in finding

grant opportunities. The Committee welcomed the new staff. Discussion ensued.

Hopkinson explained that the Finance Department will utilize a forecasting tool.

She stated that this will require consulting fees to move all County funds into this

software. A resolution will be presented to the County Board addressing this

change. Lastly, Hopkinson stated that a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was

publicized for accounting services. She explained that there is a need for

accounting services across the County and this RFQ would pre-qualify several

firms. There has been four firms that responded to the RFQ. They are currently

being evaluated.

Discussion: Strategic Plan

Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated that the idea of Kane County developing a

Strategic Plan has been on the forefront for months. She was asked to bring this

to the attention of this Committee on the possibility of conducting a Strategic

Plan. If the Board decides to move forward, a resolution would be presented.

Hopkinson spoke on the need of hiring an outside consulting firm to lead the

County through the process.

Committee Member Surges suggested that Hopkinson present her interpretation

of what a Strategic Plan is, and what goals the County would achieve with

implementing it. Hopkinson explained the Strategic Plan development process.

Hopkinson addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued. Berman requested that Hopkinson present a recommendation to the

County Board on whether a County Strategic Plan should be pursued or not.

Hopkinson stated she would provide a Strategic Plan presentation at next

month's Finance Committee meeting. Further discussion ensued.

10.

New Business

Budget Adjustments

Amending the Growing for Kane Fund FY2024 Budget to Account for the Land

Transfer Navigator Grant Program

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing the AOIC Modernization Funding Allocation

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Creating a Special Revenue Fund and Budget for DUI Court within Court

Services

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Acceptance of FY25 Firearm Safe Storage Strategies

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Anita Lewis

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Acceptance of the Illinois Department of Public Health LHD

Respiratory Surveillance and Outbreak Response (RSORG-25) Grant

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Opioid Response Community Implementation Project- Line Item

Transfer to Coroner

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Emergency Appropriation and Budget Adjustment Request Amending

Resolution No. 24-076

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Contracts and Purchases

Authorizing Agreements for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and

Trade Adjustment Act Programs for Program Year 2024

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Anita Lewis

MOVER:

Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Judicial Facility Construction Funds for General Construction

Services with MRRW Construction (BID# 23-032)

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing MRRW Construction Services for the Judicial Technology

Modernization ARPA Project (BID# 23-032)

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Contract for Psychiatric Services for the Juvenile Justice Center

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Amending a Contract with Ellen Kamps to Provide Additional Food and

Agriculture Project Consulting Services

Committee Member Juby motioned to amend this resolution. In the first

WHEREAS clause, she requested that the word "consultant" be changed to "the

lead consultant working with other approved qualified consultants as

subcontractors." Juby stated that within the fourth WHEREAS clause, it should

read, "WHEREAS, the Department requests that the contractual not-to-exceed

amount be increased from $170,000 to $290,000 for the delivery of additional

project services to be provided by an approved qualified consultant working as a

subcontractor under Ellen's contract including the administration of Kane

County's Land Transfer Navigator Program and transition support for Kane

County's Farmland Protection Program; and". Lastly, she requested that the

Executive Summary paragraph include the phrase "to be provided by an

approved qualified consultant working as a subcontractor." Committee Member

Sanchez seconded. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Committee Vice-Chair Lenert inquired on the finances pertaining to this

resolution. Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff explained that in January 2024, a Request for

Qualifications (RFQ) was publicized requesting qualified agricultural consultants.

In March 2024, the County Board voted in favor of a resolution that approved

two qualified consultants, Ellen Kamps and New Venture Advisors (NVA). Also

in March, the Board approved "not to exceed" contracts with each of those

consultants. VanKerkhoff explained that those "not to exceed" amounts were

based on projections on activities each consultant would complete for the

County. Those contracts were approved and executed with "not to exceed"

amounts of $170K for Ellen Kamps and $305K for NVA. VanKerkhoff explained

that there are two activities that were assigned to NVA, but after evaluating, staff

feels that Ellen Kamps would be better suited for these. This resolution would

approve an increase to the "not to exceed" amount from $170K to $290K for the

additional project services, including the administration of Kane County's Land

Transfer Navigator Program and transition support for the Farmland Protection

Program. VanKerkhoff and ASA Frank addressed questions and comments from

the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Leslie Juby

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing a Contract for Kane County Emergency Communications for

Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) System Replacements with Installation

(RFP# 24-031-TK)

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing a Contract for Kane County Emergency Communications for

Professional Services for Mental Health and Therapy Counseling

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Anita Lewis

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing an Agreement with Docusign Inc. for Electronic Signature Software

and Services

Committee Vice-Chair Lenert questioned if there was an increase in the

agreement software price over the expiring contract and how it would affect the

budget. ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock stated that the agreement with

DocuSign started during the pandemic due to the need of signing documents.

He noted that every year there has been a cost increase. He explained that the

agreement could be presented to the County Board annually, or ask for a

percentage increase in order to continue to use the software. This resolution has

requested a "not to exceed" increase in the annual renewal of 8%. Fahnestock

stated that the Information Technologies Department (ITD) is seeking to enter

into an additional agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corporation. Carahsoft

has a joint-purchasing with DocuSign through Omnia Partners and ITD is trying

to obtain a proposal from them. This will allow the County to get a better price

and fix the percentage.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Anita Lewis

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing the Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) National Purchasing

Cooperative Agreement

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Leslie Juby

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing Purchase of Technology Product Solutions and Related Services for

the Information Technologies Department with Carahsoft Technology

Corporation Through Omnia Partners (Contract# 23-6692-01)

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing the Purchase of Two Vehicles for the Office of Emergency

Management

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Other

Authorizing Job Title and Pay Grade Changes for the Information Technologies

Department

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Clifford Surges

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing a Pay Adjustment for Equity within a Pay Grade for a Promotion in

the Building Management Department

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Authorizing the Issuance of a Request for Proposals for External Compensation

Analysis and Review of Position Grading

Committee Member Tepe informed the Committee that another county was

conducting a similar study and will be sharing their collective data with Kane

County. HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo explained that Lake County was conducting a

Compensation Analysis Study. Kane County has participated with Lake County

on their study. In Exchange Lake County will be sharing their study. McHenry

County provided the same courtesy in one of their studies. Lobrillo addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued on the

process of developing the external compensation study.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Clifford Surges

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Anita Lewis

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Acknowledging Annual Review of Number of Procurement Cards Issued to the

Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Each of their Transaction Limits

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Bill Lenert

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Creating Illinois Residency Requirements for County Employees

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Clifford Surges

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Approving County Board Personal Expense Voucher Reimbursement Request

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Clifford Surges

NAY:

Approving County Board Personal Expense Voucher Reimbursement Request

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Anita Lewis

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Leslie Juby

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Clifford Surges

NAY:

Approving County Board Personal Expense Voucher Reimbursement Request

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

Anita Lewis

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Clifford Surges

NAY:

Discussion: Propose an AD HOC Committee to Review Opportunities and

Strategies for Future Budget Cuts

Chairman Berman introduced the discussion on the proposed AD HOC

Committee to review opportunities and strategies for future budget cuts. He

stated that the main accomplishment of the Finance Committee is to present a

balanced annual budget. The Committee has done this over the past few years

by allocating reserves. However, the County's reserves will run out within the

next few years and could no longer be utilized to balance the budget. Berman

stated that the Finance Committee needs to look at different avenues of

increasing revenues. He stressed the importance of addressing future budget

cuts through an AD HOC committee. He explained that the County needs to look

at the expenses before figuring out the true revenue needed. Much discussion

ensued on the development of an AD HOC Committee. The Committee provided

consensus that an AD HOC Committee does not need to be created and that

several Special Finance Committee meetings would be scheduled to review the

opportunities and strategies for future budget cuts.