November 2022 Board Report

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Illinois Valley Community College’s board adopted a tentative $14.3 million 2022 tax levy, a 6.4% increase over last year’s actual extension of $13.5 million.

The levy is based on a 7.5% increase in the district’s eight-county combined equalized assessed valuation (EAV) that is due largely to a recently negotiated agreement with Constellation’s LaSalle Power Station. 

The Constellation agreement will result in nearly $1.2 million in new revenue for the college over the next five-years. IVCC will receive an additional $235,549 annually based on LaSalle Station’s 15% EAV increase over that period.

With the total levy increasing more than 5%, IVCC will hold a Truth-in-Taxation hearing prior to final approval Dec. 10. 

Taxpayers in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties – as well as smaller parts of Marshall, Lee, Livingston, Grundy and DeKalb counties – should not see an increase in their IVCC taxes.

“This levy will result in a decrease of .005 cents in the tax rate,” said Vice President for Business Services and Finance Matt Seaton. “The average $100,000 home will realize a decrease of approximately $1.65 in taxes.”

In other business, the board committed to a nearly $90,000 match for a USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to outfit IVCC and 10 district high schools for distance education. 

Each high school will receive technology for one classroom and IVCC will receive equipment for 9-to-11 rooms depending on the grant amount. If awarded, equipment will be installed next summer. 

The board also approved:

  • An Emergency Medical Technician certificate that includes the 9-credit EMT course plus a 1-credit EMT practicum to offer students real-world experience.
  • Setting 2023 meetings in the board room for 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month on Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 17 (third Thursday), Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14. 
  • A 60-month Truck Driver Training lease agreement with Central Truck Leasing for $6,990 a month (plus 16 cents a mile maintenance) for two 2024 Kenworth T680 Sleepers.   
  • Boardroom upgrades of $45,000 from Burwood Group to eliminate multiple podium setups while enhancing displays, audio, microphones and the user-interface. Cost will be covered by Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. 
  • Approval of Oct. 13 closed session minutes. 
  • Pay increases for three employees affected by a redistribution of duties following the retirement of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Bonnie Campbell. They are Dean of Workforce Development Shane Lange, data analyst Dawn Watson and Academic Affairs administrative assistant Sandy Beard.

Trustees learned:

  • A budget totaling $100,914 was approved for athletics and 46 student clubs and organizations, down $275 from the 2021-22 academic year. 
  • IVCC has received a $100,000 Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) grant to build a solar array. 
  • Jacob Taylor was hired as IT infrastructure operations engineer. 
  • Shelley Kveton resigned as administrative assistant in Adult Education. 
  • A hotel reimbursement rate change was made in the administrative procedures manual. 
  • President’s Council met recently with Student Government Association to discuss events planned for the year and other issues. “The meeting resulted in expanded hours of operation for our childcare center and fitness center,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran.
  • An estimated 100 people attended the Oct. 26 dental lab grand opening. At a recent health resource fair, the dental program scheduled 30 appointments for a variety of services including cleanings, exams, oral cancer screenings, x-rays, sealants and treatment planning. “Our investment in dental assisting and dental hygiene is paying off,” Corcoran noted.  
  • Over 200 high school students attended the Oct. 25 Discover Manufacturing Career Expo at IVCC. Students toured manufacturers such as Black Brothers, Canam Steel Corporation, Carus, Epsilyte, HCC, Machinery Maintenance, On Site Repair Services, Valley Fabrication, SABIC and Vactor Manufacturing. After lunch, IVCC alum Brian Krzyaniak, Vice President of Strategic Development at Oertel Metal in Davenport, shared his experiences in manufacturing with students.
  • Wednesday’s “Explore IVCC” recruiting event drew an estimated 60 students and family members. About 25 IVCC programs and departments were represented by roughly 40 employees; ten student workers and ambassadors assisted. “Faculty, staff and students were happy to engage prospects about everything IVCC has to offer,” Corcoran said.