State could help resolve dispute over McLean County health fund reserves

Posted on January 20, 2016

Jim Soeldner was appointed Vice-Chairman of the McLean County Board on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy www.mcleancountyil.gov)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – One of McLean County government’s new leaders says it might require the state to intervene in a dispute over who has control of the health department’s budget.

Several County Board members raised concern months ago about the department’s $2.3 million reserve fund.

PODCAST: LIsten to Terry James’ interview with Soeldner on WJBC.

“I think all of the people involved, not only County Board members but the people on the (McLean County) Board of Health and the health department, would like to get some direction on who is actually the authority figure,” County Board Vice-Chairman Jim Soeldner said.

He told WJBC’s Terry James the county wants to resolve the matter before next year’s budget.

“Each agency will put their pitch and then whoever is the ultimate authority will decide and I believe that’s probably the state of Illinois,” Soeldner said.

Health department administrator Walt Howe has said the Board of Health has control of the money which comes from its own tax levy and has held on to the dwindling reserves at a time when the state hasn’t been covering reimbursements because of the budget impasse.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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