City of Champaign Township

AN UPDATE FROM THE SUPERVISOR

SUPERVISOR’S BLOG

CITY OF CHAMPAIGN TOWNSHIP

December 2009

I hope that everyone is enjoying this wonderful holiday season. We have been very busy at the City of Champaign Township office since my last update.

On November 9th, the City of Champaign Township employees attended the 2009 Annual Education Conference sponsored by the Township Officials of Illinois. The conference was held at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. Educational seminars were presented on the subjects of prevailing wage ordinances, changes in general assistance laws, budget and tax levy preparation, and other Township issues. We all left the conference ignited with a renewed sense of commitment to our jobs and to serving our clients.

This fall a big project our Office was able to complete was the 2009 Tax Levy. The completion of this project was made possible with the assistance of the City of Champaign Finance Department and counsel from other experienced Township officials. The Tax Levy resolution was presented at the November 3rd Township board meeting. Notice of the public hearing for anyone affected by the Tax levy ordinance was published in the November 22nd News-Gazette. The public hearing was held at the December 1st Town Board meeting and at the same meeting, the Tax Levy Ordinance was presented and passed unanimously by the board of trustees.

We are keeping a tight reign on the budget and are working within our means yet the projections for the upcoming fiscal year indicate an increase in Township budget expenses (i.e. utilities, contractual services, etc.) that are out of our control and the amount levied will be essential in covering those estimated costs. We will do everything in our power to avoid asking for additional funding from the taxpayers of Champaign

Also at the December 1st meeting, the board of trustees appointed me the Freedom of Information Act officer for the City of Champaign Township. The new Freedom of Information laws will go into effect on January 1, 2010. I recently had the opportunity to attend a training program in Bloomington, offered to all Illinois Township Officials and before the end of this year, I will also be taking an on-line training class regarding these changes.

Our office is currently working on making all past meeting minutes, approved ordinances and resolutions from this current administration available to the public on our website. The Township is committed to practicing “government in the sunshine” and I encourage you to attend our Township meetings, held the first Tuesday of every month in City Council Chambers.

It is mandated by Illinois State law, for an Annual Treasurer’s Report to be filed with the county clerk and published by December 30th. We are currently working on preparing this report and it will be presented, along with our annual audit at the January Town Board meeting.

Last month, I mentioned that there would be changes in the General Assistance-Transitional Assistance program. With the increase in the cost of living, the Township is aware of the fragile position that many of our clients find themselves in. On November 1st, our clients received an increase in their monthly allotment. Though it is not as much as we would like to provide, it does represent a substantial increase and hopefully, it will enable them to be able to meet their basic needs until they are approved for Social Security or Social Security Disability.

Another big project our office is working on is preparing Christmas bags for all of our clients. We are currently looking for donations to help fill up these Christmas bags. Our wish list includes items such as personal sized shampoos, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, socks, gloves, wrapped candy, or anything small but useful.

All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated. We do need to have these contributions by December 15th. You are welcome to drop off your donations at our office located at 603 South Randolph or telephone our office at 352-4500, if you need to make arrangements for the items to be picked up.

I can not believe 2009 is almost over! This administration started on May 18, 2009 and we have accomplished a great deal over these past six months. We anticipate a successful end to this year and an even more exciting 2010. We wish all a very Merry Christmas and a most prosperous New Year.