20 May 2013

TENTATIVE AGENDA SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS May 20 - 24, 2013

By Renee Luze-Johnson

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Committee of the Whole  -   8:00 am

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call:  Sunderbruch, Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard

Presentation

2. Introduction of the newest Chief Judge of Iowa's 7th Judicial District, Judge Marlita Greve.

Facilities & Economic Development

3. Approval of temporary road closures for The Quad Cities Air Show on June 21-23, 2013. (Item 3)

4. Approval of transfer of properties to City of Bettendorf, the Davenport Community School District, Neighborhood Housing Service of Davenport, Ecumenical Housing Development Corporation and  Habitat for Humanity of the Quad Cities. (Item 4)

Human Resources

5. Approval of personnel actions.  (Item 5)

Health & Community Services

6. Approval of tax suspension request. (Item 6)

Finance & Intergovernmental

7. Approval of purchase of Cisco network maintenance. (Item 7)

8. Approval of vehicle replacement for Sheriff's Office. (Item 8)

9. Approval of FY13 year-end fund transfers. (Item 9)

10. Approval of a budget amendment to the FY13 County Budget. (Item 10)

11. Approval of the abatement of delinquent property taxes for the City of Bettendorf as recommended by the Scott County Treasurer. (Item 11)

12. Approval of the abatement of delinquent property taxes for parcel 030335002-1L as recommended by the Scott County Treasurer. (Item 12)

13. Approval of the assessment of election costs for the City of Dixon special election on May 7, 2013 for $933.01. (Item 13)

14. Approval of beer/liquor license for Perfect Value Liquor Mart and Argo General Store, and approval of cigarette/tobacco permits for Mt. Joy, BP/Amaco, Casey's General

Store #1068, Perfect Value Liquor Mart and Locust Mart.

15. Update of County Strategic Plan.

16. Other items of interest.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Regular Board Meeting  -   5:30 pm

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

15 May 2013

Branstad to hold two bill signing ceremonies

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today will hold two bill signing ceremonies as he signs into law House File 527 and House File 355.

The following bill signing ceremonies are open to the media:

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

4:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs House File 527 into law

Governor's Formal Office

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

4:45 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs House File 355 into law

Governor's Formal Office

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

House File 527 an Act requiring certain aggravated misdemeanants to submit a DNA sample and including effective date provisions.

House File 355 an Act relating to driver's licenses, including the renewal of driver's licenses electronically and including effective date and transition provisions.

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13 May 2013

Branstad names CPA Mary Mosiman as new state auditor

By Tim Albrecht

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named Ames CPA Mary Mosiman, AGE, as Iowa's new state auditor, following last month's announcement by David Vaudt that he was resigning to become the new chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). His last day was May 3.

Mosiman currently serves as deputy secretary of state under Matt Schultz. Her first day is May 13.

"I had two major requirements for Iowa's state auditor: that the individual was a CPA, and that the individual would adhere to the sound budgeting principles followed by David Vaudt," said Branstad. "In Mary, we found that and more. She is a talented, passionate public servant who will keep a very close watch over Iowa's tax dollars."

Prior to serving as the deputy secretary of state, Mosiman served as the Story County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, from 2001-2010. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in accounting.

"I am honored to accept this position, and will do my best to earn the respect of Iowans as well as validate the confidence of the governor," said Mosiman. "David Vaudt provided an excellent service to Iowans in his role as the 'Taxpayers Watchdog.' I look forward to building on his efforts. Working with Iowa's leaders to maintain sound budgeting principles, communicating state budget information, and providing all the necessary audit responsibilities will be my top priorities."

Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched their formal search for auditor on April 5, seeking individuals who would adhere to the sound budgeting principles as follows:

• Avoid the use of one-time money for ongoing expenses.
• Refrain from standing appropriations.
• Resist implementing new programs in the middle of the fiscal year.
• Avoid multi-year accelerating commitments.
• Accurately determine state revenue and expenses.
• Align expenses and revenue in the same fiscal year.
• Avoid funding programs through property taxes or fees.
• Reject diversion of funds statutorily authorized for a specific objective to other purposes.

"Mary Mosiman will be a partner in ensuring Iowa's budget remains stable and predictable," said Reynolds. "We look forward to working with her as we continue the great progress we have made in closing the state's $900 million budget gap and building up our cash reserve and economic emergency fund."

Mosiman and her husband Daniel live in Ames and have four daughters. She is a member of the Iowa Society of CPAs, is a past president of the Nevada Rotary, and is an active member of the Gilbert Education Foundation.

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10 May 2013

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, May 10, 2013**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 207

An Act Making Appropriations

Makes appropriations to the Department on Aging.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 1589

An Act Concerning: Gaming

Allows licensed suppliers of gaming equipment, devices or supplies to permanently affix their logo onto certain equipment, devices or supplies.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

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10 May 2013

Gov. Branstad signs nine bills into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

House File 356 an Act relating to the statute of limitation periods in bringing suit and executing a judgment in an action on a claim for rent.

House File 487 an Act relating to a manufactured or mobile home retailer's application to a county treasurer for a certificate of title for a used mobile home or manufactured home.

House File 495 an Act relating to the residential landlord and tenant laws and related forcible entry and detainer laws and making penalties applicable

House File 545 an Act creating a new category of allowable expenditures from the Veterans Trust Fund.

House File 565 an Act relating to mechanic's liens and the mechanic's notice and lien registry.

House File 607 an Act relating to the state government, by providing for the transfer of powers and duties from the Agriculture Development Authority to the Iowa Finance Authority, the composition of the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors, implementation of law by the board, and including effective date provisions.

House File 631 an Act modifying provisions applicable to the propane education and research council.

Senate File 438 an Act relating to real estate broker and real estate salesperson licensing fees and allocations from those fees, and making an appropriation.

Senate File 451 an Act relating to the taxation of rate-regulated water utilities by establishing rate-regulated water utility replacement tax, imposing a statewide rate-regulated water utility property tax, providing for the administration of the replacement tax and statewide property tax, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

###

09 May 2013

Senate passes Lt. Governor's ethics reform bill

By Rick Martin

Simon calls on House to pass revised Statement of Economic Interests

SPRINGFIELD - May 9, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon applauded the Senate today for its 52-1 passage of Senate Bill 1361, legislation that will reform the state's Statement of Economic Interests form. The bill now moves to the House.

"The people of Illinois deserve to know if elected officials and high-ranking government employees are working in the public's interest or in their own self interest," said Simon, who served on the Illinois Reform Commission. "Increased transparency builds trust and I appreciate Sen. Dan Kotowski's (D-Park Ridge) hard work in moving this reform measure through the Senate."

The bill proposes a new disclosure form, known as a Statement of Economic Interests, which would require filers to list outside sources of income, lobbyist relationships and loans made or accepted on terms not available to the general public, for the first time. It also revises questions that allowed filers to answer "not applicable" to almost every item on the current version of the form introduced 40 years ago.

The new form, completed by tens of thousands of public servants each year, will be easier for filers to complete, thanks to the plain-language questions, definitions of terms, and clear connections to information found on tax returns and investment statements. Simon collaborated on the bill with government watchdog groups, and it has received bipartisan support.

Cook County Clerk David Orr, whose office created an online Statement of Economic Interests database to improve transparency, worked with Lt. Governor Simon to overhaul the inadequate disclosure forms and applauds Simon for her leadership. Analysis of the 22,000 local government respondents that filed with his office in 2012 showed that 87 percent answered "not applicable" or "N/A" to every question on the disclosure form.

"I hope the new form will provide better and more information than before," Orr said. "I'm eager to put this data online next year to shed more light on public officials' conflicts of interest."

The Illinois Constitution and Illinois Governmental Ethics Act require elected officials, high-ranking government employees, and political candidates to complete a Statement of Economic Interests each May. State government workers file with the Secretary of State, while workers for local units of government file with their county clerk.

The forms are supposed to expose existing or potential conflicts of interest, but the documents use such vague and cumbersome language that the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform has called them "woefully inadequate" and "a waste of paper."

"I look forward to working with members of the House to help make Illinois more accountable and transparent," said Simon.

 

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09 May 2013

TENTATIVE AGENDA SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS May 14, 2013

By Chris Berge
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Special Board Meeting - 8:00 am
Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Canvass of votes.

3. Other items of interest.

Special Committee of the Whole - 8:15 am
Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Tour of Scott County Secondary Roads.

3. Other items of interest.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Special Committee of the Whole - 6:00 pm
Center for Alcohol and Drug Services

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Visit with Center for Alcohol and Drug Services Board.

3. Other items of interest.
09 May 2013

Gov. Branstad signs House File 495 into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced he will sign House File 495, an Act relating to the residential landlord and tenant laws and related forcible entry and detainer laws and making penalties applicable, into law this evening at 5 p.m. in the governor's formal office.

 

The following event is open to the media:

 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

 

5 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs House File 495 into law

Governor's Formal Office

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA 

House File 495: an Act relating to the residential landlord and tenant laws and related forcible entry and detainer laws and making penalties applicable.

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07 May 2013

Gov. Branstad orders flags at half-staff Friday in observance of Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony

By Office of the Governor of Iowa
(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad has ordered all flags on the Capitol Complex be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, in observance of the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony which is to be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Oran State Office Building of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The governor's directive applies to all U.S. and state flags on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the capitol Complex. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The following memorial ceremony is open to the public and all are invited to attend the 30-minute ceremony to pay their respects to Iowa police officers killed in the line of duty:

Friday, May 10, 2013

10 a.m.         Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony

Iowa Peace Officer Memorial

Oran State Office Building, Iowa Department of Public Safety

Des Moines, IA

Please note the new location this year.

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07 May 2013

Governor Quinn Announces Fiscal Year 2013 Tax Revenue to Exceed Forecast by $1.3 Billion

By Ryan C. Woods

Additional Funding to Help Pay Down Backlog of Old Bills

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that fiscal year 2013 income tax revenues will exceed the Illinois Department of Revenue's forecast by approximately $1.3 billion. This is a one-time revenue stream, generated from businesses and individuals selling assets or receiving early dividends, bonuses or other income in anticipation of higher federal tax rates for tax year 2013. The additional revenue will be used to pay down the state's backlog of bills, a result of decades of financial mismanagement.

"While these additional dollars are good news and will aid in reducing some of what is owed, relying on a one-time fix will not help us in the long-run," Governor Quinn said. "This revenue will be used to help knock down our backlog of bills, but we must continue to focus on pension reform and restoring Illinois to full fiscal stability."

Prior to the January 2013 increase in federal tax rates, a number of businesses and individuals strategically shifted the timing of certain forms of income in order to take advantage of tax year 2012's lower federal tax rates. Some businesses paid bonuses and dividends scheduled for tax year 2013 in 2012 instead. Similarly, some businesses and individuals accelerated the sale of investments so that the resulting income would be taxed at 2012's lower rates.

The combined response created a surge in the tax payments received by the state in April, which is when payments for tax year 2012 were due. This surge in payments is a one-time event because it was in response to a federal policy change that will not occur next year.

Because this is a one-time event, fiscal year 2014 revenue forecasts will not be restated.

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