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County clerk seeks $20,000–$40,000 to replace 1980s economic‑interest system; committee discusses timing and funding
Summary
A county clerk representative asked the committee to fund replacement of a 1980s-era statements-of‑economic‑interest system. The clerk prefers immediate replacement to avoid system failure; the committee suggested using the clerk’s automation fund or placing the project in next year’s budget.
A representative for the LaSalle County Clerk told the finance committee April 1 that the county’s statements-of-economic-interest system dates to the mid-1980s and needs to be rebuilt to remain functional.
John, appearing for the county clerk, said the cost estimate provided by a vendor was $20,004.45 but later noted supporting paperwork showed $40,004.45; the clerk’s office is reviewing the difference. John described the risk: the legacy system is near failure and, if it breaks during an election cycle, the county would face a scramble. “I don’t want us to get to a point where one day just doesn’t work so that’s why I’m gonna get ahead of this,” John said.
Committee members discussed funding options. Auditor Stephanie said the clerk’s automation fund (which the committee reviewed during the meeting) holds a balance the clerk could use; committee members noted the clerk’s records and automation funds show cash on hand and suggested using those balances or approving a budget amendment rather than adding a county-wide appropriation. “She has a hundred and seventy thousand in cash,” one member said while reviewing fund balances.
The committee did not approve county funding at the meeting. It recommended the clerk either finance the work from available automation/records funds, present a formal budget amendment, or carry the project to the next budget cycle. Committee members emphasized the urgency of avoiding a system failure during petitioning and election filing periods and asked the clerk’s office to report planned timing and to coordinate with the auditor on the payment path.
Ending: The clerk’s replacement project will be handled either from the clerk’s automation funds or considered in next year’s budget; staff were asked to confirm the exact vendor quote and the clerk’s fund balances before the committee takes a funding vote.
