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PROPOSED TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Department: Environment and Sustainability
Request: Transfer Funds from Corporate Salaries/Wages to Corporate Professional Services
Reason: In early 2024, the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (CCDES) received a notification from the Cook County Department of Revenue regarding a change in the ACH payment processing system by the County's banking vendor, JPMorgan Chase (JPMC). The Environmental Control Case Management system, services by Clarity LLC, requires system modifications to align with JPMC’s updated ACH processing protocol. Without these updates, CCDES will be unable to accept ACH payments, leading to delays in regulatory fee collections and inconveniencing residents and businesses that interact with CCDES. This platform conversion was unanticipated when the FY2024 budget requirements were submitted.
Moreover, additional communications and outreach opportunities for the work on developing an Environmental Justice policy were identified, but without a funding source. Expenditures for facilitators for the Focus Groups, and social media ad buys to promote a survey, would greatly benefit the project.
Furthermore, CCDES has an inspector vacancy in its Asbestos/Demolition Division and is coordinating with BHR to fill the position. The County notified the union in January 2024 CCDES intended to use a contractor to assist with inspections until the position was filled. The SEIU contract requires a five-month notification prior to use of a contractor. The notification period expired in May 2024 and CCDES has identified contractors to assist with the inspections.
From Account(s): 11000.1161.35000.501010.00000.00000, Sal/Wag of Reg Employees, $116,0000.00
To Account(s): 11000.1161.10155.520830.00000.00000, Professional Services, $116,000.00
Total Amount of Transfer: $116,000.00
On what date did it become apparent that the receiving account would require an infusion of funds in order to meet current obligations? What was the balance in the account on that date, and what was the balance 30 days prior to that date?
In May 2024, following discussions with the Budget Office, it was confirmed that a request for additional capital funds to cover the necessary system updates for aligning the case management system with JPMC’s ACH changes was denied. Consequently, it became evident that CCDES would need a transfer of funds to finance these updates. The corporate Professional Services balance at the time of $7749.85, with anticipated encumbrances to follow which will expend the existing budget.
Discussions about additional communications costs for the development of an Environmental Justice policy took place in May 2024.
The five-month notification period to the union expired in May 2024. CCDES coordinated with contractors to assist with inspection activities after the notification period.
How was the account used for the source of transferred funds identified? List any other accounts that were also considered (but not used) as the source of the transferred funds.
The Budget Office recommended that CCDES transfer funds from the Salaries and Wages budget to cover the anticipated expenses. Accumulated savings from funds not utilized due to vacancies in the Salary Account. CCDES did not consider any other source for the transfer of funds.
Identify any projects, purchases, programs, contracts, or other obligations that will be deferred, delayed, or canceled as a result of the reduction in available spending authority that will result in the account that funds are transferred from.
CCDES does not anticipate any deferral, delay, or cancellation of obligations as a result of the reduction in available spending authority in the account from which funds are transferred. This expectation is based on the current savings in the Salary Budget due to unfilled positions.
If the answer to the above question is “none” then please explain why this account was originally budgeted in a manner that caused an unobligated surplus to develop at this point in the fiscal year.
CCDES is actively recruiting for open positions and is currently awaiting the receipt of applications and the scheduling of interviews. CCDES previously anticipated these positions to be filled earlier in the fiscal year.
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