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LaSalle County finance panel approves $307,000 poll‑book payment, taps specialty and emergency funds
Summary
The Finance & TIF Committee approved payment of a roughly $307,000 county‑clerk invoice for poll books, using available specialty (automation) funds and the committee's emergency line to cover any remainder after depleting the clerk's 2025 budget lines; motion passed unanimously.
The LaSalle County Finance & TIF Committee voted Feb. 3 to pay a county‑clerk invoice of about $307,000 for election poll books, drawing first on the clerk's remaining 2025 budget lines and available specialty funds and then on the committee's emergency/finance line for any remainder.
The chair opened discussion after Auditor Stephanie told the committee the bill arrived dated in December and that the clerk had budgeted roughly $207,000 in 2025 for election supplies, leaving an estimated shortfall of about $94,000. "There is about $200,000 in the 2025 budget, but there's a deficiency," Stephanie said. She asked how the committee wanted to proceed while auditors complete year‑end work.
Committee members sought clarity about which restricted funds could be used. Jeremiah, who reviewed fund rules for the committee, told members that the records automation fund (fund 27) is restricted to records‑keeping purposes and likely does not cover election equipment. "The purpose of the records fees is revenue generated for the record keeping part of the county clerk's office," Jeremiah said, adding that those funds are not compatible uses for the poll books. He noted the automation fund had about $171,000 available.
Committee members discussed options for covering the invoice without leaving the clerk's 2026 budget depleted. The chair and several members favored using any eligible specialty fund balances and then covering remaining costs from the finance emergency line to avoid closing the clerk's 2025 accounts with unresolved payables.
Chair moved for payment; Gary moved and Craig seconded the motion to proceed using the clerk's available funds, the automation fund where allowable, and the finance emergency line for any remainder. The committee approved the motion. "We'll get that paid today then," Stephanie said after the vote.
The committee also agreed to follow up on precise budget transfers and to notify the clerk and the auditor's office after payment. The auditor told members the outside auditors were scheduled to be on site the following week to complete the year‑end audit.
Next steps: staff will finalize the fund transfers and record any necessary budget adjustments or reconciliations during the audit process.
