Franklin County considers issuing tax warrants

Franklin County officials are falling further into debt, and they're blaming the state of Illinois.
The backlog of reimbursements for probation and the Franklin County Detention Center are at the center of the financial crisis. As a result, county officials are considering issuing tax anticipation warrants or borrowing from the county highway bridge fund. The county already owes that fund $450,000 from previous indebtedness.
Treasurer Keith Jones reported at Monday's finance committee meeting the county should meet its next payroll, but he's concerned about the May 19 payroll. He said the county will have about $82,000 in the bank following deposits and this week's payroll.
"The bridge fund would be quicker but it's probably the most unpopular," Chairman Randall Crocker said. He instructed Jones to investigate the alternate option, including a long-term solution. "We don't just want to do it one time if we choose that option."
The state now owes the county $1.68 million in probation and detention center reimbursements.
State's Attorney Evan Owens said, "I don't think we can go on like this forever; I don't think we can go on like this another pay period. Franklin County can't carry load for the whole circuit."
Judge Tom Tedeschi is working with officials from the Administration Office of Illinois Courts on collecting the funds, the agency responsible for releasing the funds. However, Probation Director Mike Abell said that office has been told the funds won't be released by State Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
"They don't give us a reason why they're holding this money up. They tell me it's the comptroller. Why she is holding it up, I don't know," said Probation Director Mike Abell.
"The bottom line is if they (judges) don't want it to shut down, then do something," offered Vice Chairman Steve Leek.
State Rep. Dave Severin of Benton and State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, met with county officials earlier in the day to discuss the issue. The two later toured the Franklin County Detention Center. Severin's business is across the street from the facility, but he told the board he had never visited the facility before Monday.
"It's definitely needed. We need to keep it open and we need to find a way to keep it open. And the way to keep it open is for the state to pay its bills," Severin said. "For that to happen, we need a budget. And for that to happen we need people to work together. And for that to happen we need an answer to prayer."
Severin said after learning of the issue, a staff member immediately contacted the AOIC.
"I'm somewhat optimistic after meeting with Dave and Sen. (Dale) Fowler today," Crocker said.
Severin also reported the state is awaiting completion of inventory at the Rend Lake Resort before extending invitation for bids. He indicated at least four reputable bidders are interested in the property. The county is owed $60,000 in back taxes on that property.