Public Hearing
This was the first opportunity for members of the public to
provide comments on the proposed budget that had been introduced just a week before. The Civic Federation said that it had not had
time to complete its analysis of the budget, but would do so and provide
comments prior to the time for the Commissioners to vote. But the overall assessment thus far was
positive. The Civic Federation stressed
that getting pension reform passed by the General Assembly for the County was
critical.
There were several speakers raising issues about the Animal
Control Department and suggesting that the budget could be reduced by convening
a task force to look into the operations.
There were also several speakers supporting the budget levels and the
care provided by different centers in the Health & Hospitals System; it was
not clear whether they had concerns that some of these budget levels might be
cut by the Commissioners during the amendment process. Several speakers voiced support for the
Veterans Assistance Commission and the need to increase funding.
Department
Meetings
Veterans Assistance
Commission: Issues around the level
of County funding have been raised in the past several years. Actual spending in the past had fallen well
below the budget. However, this year it
appears that the Commission will spend its budget of $388,100. The Superintendent is seeking $1 million more
over that proposed by the Executive Budget to hire 8 FTEs (Full Time Equivalents). Apparently the idea is
that more people would assist veterans in knowing what help is available and
applying for help, such as claims to the Veterans Administration. However, in answer to Commissioner Garcia,
the Superintendent did say that this Commission has not had to deny a request
for assistance as a result of insufficient money allocated by the County.
Animal Control: Dr. Alexander, the Administrator/Director of
the department, was challenged by Commissioner Fritchey on her statement that
the department provided 24/7 service. He
cited an instance in Chicago, which is covered by Chicago departments rather
than the Cook County department, but the Commissioner felt he did not get a
good response when he called the County’s hotline. The Commissioner also asked several other
questions about the budget, which is $23.5 million. He tried to ask whether the department was
ready to enforce the puppy mill ordinance that the Commissioner has sponsored,
but which is currently on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit. The Commissioner stated he had been told by
an Asst. State’s Attorney that the County had agreed to delay the ordinance
because the department was not ready to do the enforcement. However,
Chairman Daley felt that since the issue was in litigation, no answer should be
given.
Medical Examiner: The County is close to getting full national
accreditation for the Office. Three more
technicians are needed in the toxicology lab, but the hiring will be delayed to
mid-year to help keep the budget in check.
Along with Animal Control and the Medical Examiner, the
other departments under the Bureau of Administration which presented their
budgets to the Board, all touched on their goals and achievements as reported
under the STAR (Set Targets, Achieve
Results) performance management system established by the President and Board.
-- submitted by Priscilla Mims
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