McLean County Finance Committee approves raffle licenses, personnel changes, sheriff contract and incentives

The McLean County Finance Committee on Jan. 8 approved a string of routine and personnel items, including two Class C raffle licenses, several reclassifications and funded full‑time equivalent (FTE) adjustments, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to continue hiring incentives for corrections staff, and a contract between the county and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police covering sheriff deputies, sergeants, investigators and lead process servers.

The actions were taken at the committee’s 5 p.m. meeting and were approved by voice vote; the committee recorded no roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript and motions carried by unanimous voice vote where noted.

The approvals matter because they affect county staffing, interagency agreements and small nonprofit fundraising: the FTE adjustments enable expansion of Children's Advocacy Center services into neighboring Logan County and adjust positions in information technology and the highway department to address recruitment and workload needs. The MOU and labor contract affect staffing and pay practices in the sheriff’s office, where officials said recruitment and retention remain an operational concern.

Administrator Cassie Taylor introduced the agenda items the committee considered for action and answered procedural questions throughout the meeting. The committee approved the consent agenda, which included approval of meeting minutes and the recommended approval of bills and transfers totaling $967,017.94. Member Rosemond Mendoza moved the consent agenda; Member Bernd seconded; the motion carried…