Grundy County Finance Committee approves deed conveyance recommendation, reviews budget and CIP draft

The Grundy County Finance Committee on Jan. 12, 2026 recommended that the full county board approve a deed of conveyance for a vacant quarter‑acre lot on Arrowhead Drive in Manuka and reviewed multiple financial reports and a draft five‑year capital improvement plan.

Shelly Figgins, presenting the health department finance report, said Dec. 31 reflects about “8% completion of our fiscal year. We're 1 month in,” and reported December revenues of $103,479 against expenses of $141,551, with the department using roughly $38,071 of subsidy funds. The committee did not ask follow‑up questions during that report.

The finance director told the committee that year‑end audit procedures are being finalized and that the PBC audit, the self‑insurance trust audit and transit/grant audits were returned with clean opinions and no findings. He said separate audits remain for the circuit clerk and the ETSB and that the full county audit is typically presented in February or March.

On the general fund, the finance director said revenues stood at 4.22% of the annual budget while expenditures were at 9.43% through the first month; he attributed the early revenue lag to the timing of property‑tax receipts. He also reviewed professional‑services lines, noting higher early expenditures for court‑appointed attorneys and that the professional services line was increased by about $20,000 in last year’s amended budget.

The committee reviewed the first draft of the county’s CIP for 2026–2030. The finance director said the 2026 capital forecast is about $2.1 million, with roughly $1.2 million tied to a new building project that may be covered in part by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds; he added an IT server replacement placeholder of $50,000 and noted a $475,000 professional services line connected to a commercial/industrial revaluation and potential CIC replacement. He listed other 2026 items including courthouse HVAC and smaller units, sheriff vehicle replacements and a transit facility project that is 100% grant‑funded and awaiting plan approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Under new business, committee member Kate described the deed conveyance item (03-01-227-011). She said the parcel had been included in a 2022 tax sale, reverted to the county trustee after no private buyer was found, and received a sealed bid of $839 from the Village of Manuka. The committee voted to give the deed a positive recommendation to the full board; the full board is scheduled to consider the item the following evening.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (Dec. 8, 2025): motion, second; approved (ayes recorded, no opposition). - Board member vouchers: motion, second; approved (ayes recorded, no opposition). - Treasurer’s claims (112Of2026): motion, second (second recorded as Joe Chavoni); approved (ayes recorded, no opposition). - Deed conveyance recommendation (03-01-227-011): motion, second; approved (ayes recorded, no opposition). - Adjournment: motion by Tina, second by Eric; approved.

The committee recorded no requests for executive session and no substantive public comment. The finance director asked members to review the CIP draft and noted the county audit timeline; the deed conveyance will be taken up by the full board at its next meeting.