County approves intergovernmental agreement with DCFS and adds grant-funded deputy position

The Champaign County Board approved a sheriff’s resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the County, on behalf of the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The board also approved a related budget amendment that increases appropriations by $119,753.60 and projects $73,576 in grant revenue for the work.

Sheriff and staff said the grant-funded role will be used for the DCFS collaboration and that the county must increase the number of authorized deputies so the grant-funded deputy can be added without reducing street deputy coverage. The sheriff told the board, “we need to add 1 more position so that we can then have that fully grant funded person doing the DCFS deputy position,” and members approved the change with the understanding that, should the grant end, the position would be removed.

Budget timing: Finance staff explained the revenue number is less than the increased appropriation for timing reasons; over the course of the grant the general fund will be made whole and the county will not carry a permanent hit to the general fund. Board members requested a roll-call vote for the budget amendment and approved the package.

Outcome: The resolution authorizing the IGA and the budget amendment passed in committee. No further county appropriation beyond the approved budget amendment was approved during the meeting.

Ending: The board directed that the position’s continuation is contingent on continued grant funding; if the DCFS grant ends, the additional deputy slot will be removed.