The Champaign County committee on finance and administrative matters on Oct. 13 approved multiple budget amendments, authorized personnel changes in the new Administrative Services finance division and heard further explanation about a delayed audit that prompted temporary hires.

The committee approved a budget amendment increasing appropriations in the county motor-fuel tax fund by $3,000,000 to cover higher road maintenance material costs. Finance Chair Hannah Oerfriedman presented the amendment as a response to “increased costs in road maintenance materials” and the committee voted to pass it. The committee also approved a $29,200 budget transfer within animal control to cover unanticipated operational costs and approved other routine appropriation adjustments presented on the consent agenda.

Why it matters: The $3 million revision affects the county’s highway maintenance funding and is intended to cover shortfalls tied to higher material prices this year. Separately, committee members pressed for clearer forecasting and department-level explanations before approving appropriations that may be requested again later in the fiscal year.

The committee debated a proposed $25,000 increase to the State’s Attorney’s general fund appropriation for possible expense overruns, including a recurring LexisNexis subscription and furniture. Several members questioned approving the request in committee when no representative from the State’s Attorney’s Office was present. Board members said they preferred departments request additional funds before spending them or show line-item forecasts that justify the increase. The committee voted to forward the item to the full county board agenda but to keep it off the consent calendar so the State’s Attorney’s Office can appear and answer questions.

The committee also considered changes to county staffing tied to the recently created Administrative Services department. The board approved an amendment to the schedule of authorized positions that removes one accounts-payable clerk and adds one finance specialist position, increasing finance specialist headcount overall as the county reshuffles staff transferred from the auditor’s office. Committee members said the change was intended to align job duties and to put someone with audit experience into the division.

Circuit Clerk Susan McGrath, who spoke during public input, told the committee she had previously requested two positions be included in next year’s budget and asked the board to add the positions to her staffing agenda so they would be contained in the final budget if approved. “He had recommended that the 2 positions I had requested be contained in next year's budget, without additional funds,” McGrath said, asking board members to add the staffing request when the final budget is approved.

Audit delay and temporary hires: Committee members discussed the county’s overdue audit and recent steps to remedy the backlog. Officials said the external audit is delayed because the auditor’s office did not provide materials on time; the county has contracted or hired additional staff to prepare documents needed by the external auditor. A committee member said the new hire has already prepared required work, including a commissary audit for the jail, and that the county expects this year’s audit to be late. The committee emphasized the importance of having department staff bring clear forecasts and line-item explanations when requesting mid-year appropriations.

Other actions: The committee approved a series of routine resolutions and deed conveyances presented as omnibus items, authorized application (and acceptance if awarded) for a career planner training academy grant, and approved continued participation in the Office of the State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor service program for 2026. The committee also approved minutes (including closed-session minutes) and several housekeeping items on the agenda.

Looking ahead: The State’s Attorney appropriation request will appear on the full county board agenda for additional review and comment from that office. County leaders said they expect further discussion about the audit timeline and how newly hired or contracted staff will address outstanding audit work.