Audit and budget preparation The committee decided to send
a notice to multiple financial companies in the central Illinois
area to inform them that the county is preparing for their next
financial audit. Furthermore, the county would like to hire the same
company to help with budgetary paperwork for the next few years.
In previous years, two separate companies were used for these
tasks. The committee members agreed that it will be easier to use
one company for both tasks, as the company would have access to
necessary county financial documents. Otherwise, the county has to
work with two separate entities on the same paperwork.
Some committee members expressed a desire to remain with
CliftonLarsonAllen, the company that has worked with them in the
past. All of the members agreed that this company has done a great
job in the past.
Terry Carlton said that while he has no problem with the same
auditors, there are still other great firms in the area that may be
willing to take the job, and they should at least be given notice of
the opportunity.
CliftonLarsonAllen is expected to send representatives to the
county board meetings for this month to present the audit for last
year.
Grant for Heritage In Flight
Jack Burke, curator of the Heritage In Flight Museum, came to the
finance committee to provide an update on grant money received by
the museum, which is located at the county airport. It was announced
in January that the museum will receive a state grant worth
$112,518.
Burke said the money would be used mostly to fix up the primary
museum area, a historic Camp Ellis barracks used to display aviation
and military artifacts and memorabilia.
A $15,000 portion of the grant money will also be used to make
repairs and aesthetic improvements to the large hangar that is
rented by the museum. Additional displays are housed in the hangar
along with the museum's two aircraft that are rented, mostly for
flight training. The county owns the properties and buildings.
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Burke explained that this grant will come in the form of
reimbursements once the money is spent by the museum. As a result,
Burke said the museum will be borrowing money from a bank at 3.5
percent interest. Burke asked the committee if they would consider
helping to pay for the $15,000 portion of the costs that would go
toward the hangar.
Burke said he has visited state officials several times in person
to ensure that the grant money will be coming their way.
Chuck Ruben said that money used in this manner would likely come
out of the airport surplus funds, which was confirmed by Gene Rohlfs.
It was also suggested by Vicki Dugan that the county could pay for
the interest on the loan for this project as a whole. Burke said
that would be well-appreciated, and the bank he spoke to is already
willing to loan the museum the full total.
The committee voted to approve that the interest will be paid for
with airport surplus funds. Burke thanked the committee for their
help in this matter, and the committee commended Burke for his
efforts.
Committee members present were Chuck Ruben, finance chairman; Bob
Farmer, board chairman; and committee chairs Jan Schumacher, Terry
Carlton and Rick Aylesworth. Guests included Gene Rohlfs; Vicki
Dugan, county treasurer; Mary Kelley, circuit clerk; and Sally Gosda
from the health department.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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