McHenry County Jail
A press release from the McHenry County Board:
The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from individuals interested in appointment to the McHENRY COUNTY PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION.
Incumbents may apply for reappointment. A strong financial background is preferred with engineering and/or architectural experience desirable.
One vacant position is available for a 5-year term to expire on September 1, 2018.
Application forms are available at the County Board Office, Room 209, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-334-4221) or at the County’s website at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/PDFDocs/AppointmentApp.pdf. Completed applications should be returned to the County Board office no later than 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013. If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended.
Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.
Does Tina Hill pick these too?
If so, be sure to bring plenty of super glue to be applied to a certain part of the anatomy or practice your best at being a bobble head.
This is an appointed board that can issue non referendum debt.
In other words they can issue bonds without voter approval to increase your taxes.
The County Board does a poor job of explaining the Public Building Commission (PBC) on its website.
– There should be a listing for PBC, and under that listing the following information.
– A description of the PBC. It’s currently buried on the McHenry County website.
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/MtgDocs/201006/pbc%20brochure/PBC%20Brochure%206%201%2010.pdf
– List and bio appointed members and their terms. Could only locate one PBC members name on the website.
– Overview and details of past and present debt PBC has issued, was it referendum or non referendum, principal, interest, payment schedule.
– Place the PBC Meeting Agendas under the heading.
– Place the PBC meeting minutes under the heading (where are the minutes, can’t find them anywhere).
– Financial statements. Can’t locate PBC financial statements on the McHenry County website.
McHenry County Board classifies Public Building Commission (PBC) as a Management Services Committee.
The footnotes to the org chart in the 2011 McHenry County CAFR state, “3. Responsibility for liaison with the PBC and stewardship over county buildings and property.”
3 is Management Services on the org chart, a standing committee under the Board Chairman.
However the org chart depicts PBC with a direct line to Board Chairman.
So does PBC report to Management Services or the Board Chairman?
The CAFR goes on to state the PBC is a legally separate component unit for which the county is financially accountable.
PBC is a “Blended Component Unit.”
“Although the Public Building Commission (Commission) is a legally separate entity from the County, the Commission is blended as if it were part of the County because its sole purpose is to manage the County’s building activities.
The County Board has the ability to significantly influence operations and the Commission is fiscally dependent on the County.
Accordingly, the Commission is included as a blended component unit of the County and is reported as a Special Revenue Fund. The Commission has a fiscal year that ends on November 30, the same as the County.
Separately audited financial statements for the Commission may be obtained from the Public Building Commission, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098-2367.”
For the FY year ended Nov 30, 2011 the PBC Fund in the CAFR showed:
Beginning Fund Balance of $73,121.
Investment Income of $2,192.
General and Administrative Expenditures of $11,305.
Net Change in Fund Balance of $9,133.
Ending Fund Balance of $64,008.
Not big dollars.
“Note 17 – Fund Reclassifications and Restatement of Beginning Fund Balance/Net Assets.”
“In connection with the implementation of GASB Statement No. 54 – Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions, the County has made the following adjustment. The Public Building Commission Fund (blended component unit), previously reported as a nonmajor debt service fund, has been reclassified to a nonmajor special revenue fund.”
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/Documents/eLibrary%20-Boards%20and%20Commissions.pdf
Lots of union construction jobs at prevailing wages when public buildings are built.
“The County cannot condemn land and the PBC has the authority to do so.”
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/MtgDocs/200706/20070626mMgtSrv.pdf
“The financial statements of the Public Building Commission and Conservation District were not audited in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.”
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/auditor/pdfDocs/County%20of%20McHenry%20Single%20Audit%20Report-2011.pdf
Where’s a list of the current appointees to the PBC and their terms?
As of August 5, 2008 James Becker’s appointment expires September 1, 2013.
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/MtgDocs/200808/MinutesCtyBrd080508m.pdf
We’ll give PBC and McHenry County a D for PBC transparency.