We're going to go ahead and call the meeting to order.
Chair, if you would please indicate your presence by voting present on the electronic device.
We have 13 present, very good, Mr. Fricke, would you lead us in prayer in Mrs. Williams the Pledge of Allegiance.
And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Before I ask for an approval of the agenda, if you do have any private electronic devices attached to the Wi-Fi within the courthouse here, if you would please disconnect that.
That does seem to help Support, by having limited use on it as far as the voting system is working.
With that, is there an approval of the agenda?
Moved by Mr. Diddens, second by Mrs. Lawfer.
Is there any discussion on the agenda?
Mr. Fricke, go ahead.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If we could go down to the Zoning Report, Item 1 in the Zoning Report, I just need to amend that.
The number is incorrect on approval of the special use permit in Ag district at 904 North AYP Road.
That number should be 3001 North AYP Road.
The number is correct in the rest of the documents, but it's incorrect in our agenda.
Excuse me.
That is your motion to amend?
Yes, sir.
Very good.
Is there a second by Mr. Jogerst?
Any discussion on the amendment?
Seeing none you may go ahead and vote for the amendment and that passes unanimously.
Thank you Mr. Frick.
Is there a motion to approve the agenda as amended by Mr. Brandt, second by Mr. Frick.
Is there any discussion on the Agenda as amended.
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
That also passes unanimously.
Thank you very much.
Is there any Board Member that would like to remove either A or B from the consent agenda?
Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda by mr. Newton is there a second by mr. Maduro any discussion on the consent agenda seeing none you may go ahead and approve vote for that approval that also passes unanimously.
Thank you very much.
We'll move on to public comment.
Is there anyone that would like to speak tonight?
Come on up to the podium if you would.
If you would just state your name and we will start the three-minute clock.
Having said that, give me just one minute to turn your microphone on here.
Nate, can you get that?
I don't see it on the list here.
Alright, if you would look, oops, try it again Nate, please.
If you want to look up, there's a clock up there and that will actually count for the three minutes.
Alright, if you state your name, the clock will begin.
My name is Kevin Soka.
I live at 578 West Fairview Road, very close to a quarry at 466 Fairview Road.
I have some concerns that I would like to share with this board.
As I understand it, the conditional use permit for this property was issued in 1974 for one specific purpose, a stone and gravel quarry.
That's what the paperwork says, that's what the application says, Commissioner, what the conditional use permit says stone and gravel period that permit came with conditions that had to be met a fence some trees a performance bond my understanding is that none of those conditions were ever satisfied no certificate of occupancy was ever awarded not in 1974 not in the 50 years since at March 9th Planning and Development Committee meeting I heard the zoning Commissioner say on record that the current owner would have have 45 days to satisfy those conditions.
That was 73 days ago.
To my knowledge, the fence is not up.
The trees are not planted.
There is no certificate of occupancy.
There is no performance bond.
And yet, operations are continuing.
How is that even possible?
I'm concerned about the planned expansion of this operation without formal review.
The gravel quarry takes material out of the ground.
Crushing and recycling of asphalt, which is the proposed expansion, brings recycling reclaimed concrete and asphalt into the operation.
It's entirely different than gravel.
Material that can contain petroleum products and heavy metals that does not belong in our groundwater.
The trucks are much larger and heavier, and there are three times as many of them because of the operation, on a road that was not built for that kind of traffic.
And the noise and dust from crushing demolition debris is not the same as a gravel operation.
I also want to remind the County Board that we, the taxpayers, already invested good money in building out Mill Race Crossing, which is a site specifically suited to this kind of industrial recycling operation.
I was told that the board was ready to approve such an operation in 2010.
Mill Race is not fully populated today.
Why are we even talking about burdening the residents around the quarry on Fairview Road when there is appropriate location already available?
What happens if the current owner stockpiles large volume of asphalt and concrete debris and then loses interest or can't find buyers or simply walks away?
Buyers, or simply walks away.
Who cleans that up?
It'll probably be the county, it's us, the taxpayers, every one of us in this room.
And what about the aquifer?
I'm running out of time.
Who'll clean the water up if it becomes polluted?
It gets polluted over time, not immediately, so we won't know instantly if that happens.
There's over a hundred households in that half-mile circumference around that Quarry.
There's over 200 households within one mile.
Your three minutes are up, sir.
Thank you.
Is there anyone else for public comment?
Mrs. Rivers, come on up, sir.
Your three minutes are up.
It'll be expensive for everybody.
Thank you.
May.
The clock will start when you state your name.
My name is Karen Rivers.
I didn't come prepared to talk about the quarry tonight, but I agree with almost everything Kevin said.
We live across a hay field from each other.
The quarry property actually borders my property.
What I came for, I'd like to say, is unfortunately the minutes from last month's meeting which you just approved do not reflect the information I presented to you.
Please review my factual comments made at the 41626 meeting.
The solar site named Zimmerman North on West Fairview Road Freeport, which is next door to me also, is less than two years old.
And it is collapsing with panels falling and lying broken on the ground for the past two and a half months.
There's another section of panels being held by a ratchet strap to prevent them from also falling to the ground.
Other partial rows of panels have been non-rotating and stuck in a reflective position facing west since fall of 2025.
I've been informed lesser quality materials, parts and equipment were used to build the site.
There are ongoing unsettled legal matters involving Soltage Renewable Energy Nelnet, Harrison Street, who is the newest owner, Mars Energy has recently acquired Nelnet and is now also involved.
The ratty rusty orange cargo trailer at the fence near my property contains broken and unbroken panels and should have been removed within three months of site completion.
The site has not been maintained, including mowing due to pending litigation.
This is unacceptable.
Apparently the solar site on John Daniel's property on Bolton Road has been owned, built, and operated by the same companies and is also being inspected and investigated for the same reasons.
The County has an obligation and responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.
I have requested an inspection and or investigation multiple times, reference issues with the Zimmerman North Solar Site.
I ask that you acknowledge these important issues I've mentioned tonight, and also the issues I mentioned at last month's meeting and work to correct them.
For the official record, I'm requesting and let the Board enter my remarks in these six photos I took of the site into the meeting minutes.
Thank you for your attention.
You're not Jasmine.
Can I give these to her to be honored?
Of course.
Thank you.
I'm Karen.
You are?
Jenna.
Nice to meet you.
Is there any other public comment?
Sir, you've already spoken tonight.
Else wants to speak, using your documents, that's fine.
Any other public comment tonight?
Come on up, sir.
Good evening.
I'm Jim Accurso, Public Affairs Specialist with the Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Recovery.
I appreciate the opportunity to address residents of Stephenson County regarding the disaster loan program that we are currently offering following the tornado that struck Lena and the surrounding areas.
We are offering our long term low interest disaster loans for not only Stephenson County residents, but those of Winnebago, Ogle, Joe Davies and Carroll.
Those include our business disaster loans of up to two million dollars for small and or rural businesses and non-profits home disaster loans because we also help homeowners and renters homeowners can get up to a half a million dollars and renters can get up to a hundred thousand dollars for the contents of their home we also have economic injury disaster loans folks can apply until July 17th we now have a disaster loan outreach center at the American League Hall, and Lena.
We have trained and experienced customer service reps there six days a week to answer any questions and to take any applications.
There are no fees to apply for our disaster loans.
There's no obligation to take the loans if they're awarded.
And these are loans from the US Treasury.
They're not bank loans.
So the interest rates are 4% and less.
In fact, for homeowners, they're 2.875%.
And so we encourage folks to come on in and ask any questions have their questions answered and submit an application if they do ultimately get their application approved they have 21 days to decide and if they don't want the loan loan they can walk away free and clear if they do get the loan they don't have to pay us back interest free for the first year so I was talking with some of our customer service reps just the other day folks that have already So again, we're here on the ground.
We're getting the word out through through this opportunity, through other government agencies, the media and the like.
And I would just encourage everybody who had any damage to consider that we can help you.
And again, like I say, there's no fee or no obligation.
So appreciate your time tonight, They can go online to sba.
Gov forward slash lending or they could call our 800 number 800-259-6955 and get their excuse me get their questions answered that way very good thank you thank you very much any other public comment okay saying then we'll move into new business with the recent resignation of Mrs. DeMeester in District G.
We do need to declare that seat vacant.
Is there a motion to do that by Mr. Jogerst?
Is there a second by Mrs. Lawfer?
Is there any discussion on that?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for the approval of that.
And that passes unanimously, thank you very much.
Moving on to the approval of the appointment of Clayton Zimmerman to fill the vacancy in County Board District F, which was previously held by Mrs. Deineger.
This was an appointment brought forward by the Republican Central Committee.
Is there a motion to approve?
By Mr. Jogerst, is there a second?
Second by Mrs. Baker, is there any discussion?
Seeing none, you may vote for the approval of that.
And that passes unanimously.
Congratulations.
If you wouldn't mind stepping up and judge, if you would swear him in, please.
Please raise your right hand.
I, Clayton Zimmerman, having been appointed to the Stephenson County Board District F, in the County of Stevenson, do solemnly swear or affirm, and I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Stephenson County Board to the best of my ability.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thanks for your service.
Welcome aboard.
Thanks.
Thank you, Judge.
All right, the final item in new business is a resolution opposing the Safety Act and supporting its repeal in the Illinois State Legislature.
Mr. Jogerst, I believe you're presenting this, is that correct?
If you wouldn't mind, let me get your microphone turned.
Mind.
Let me get your microphone turned on here.
Can you press your button for me please?
Thank you.
Go ahead sir.
Okay this is resolution opposing a Safety Act and supporting its repeal in Illinois State Legislature, whereas the County of Stevenson has an obligation to the safety of its citizens, and whereas the County of Stevenson recognizes the need for reform of certain areas of their Director of the Criminal Justice System, and whereas the Safety Act was passed in pre-dawn hours of a lame duck session of the General Assembly, and whereas the Safety Act may result in the release of defendants who pose a danger to the community, and whereas the Safety Act eliminates cash bail strips, the judiciary of their ability to balance the rights of the accused to be free on bail against the rights of the public to receive reasonable Detective, Consideration by the Courts, and whereas the Safety Act creates a higher bar and sometimes unreasonable legal standard for the detention enforceable Class X and greater felonies such as murder and armed robbery, and whereas the Stephenson County Board believes that this law puts the public in danger by allowing dangerous criminals to be free pre-trial and will discourage victim cooperation with law enforcement due to the fear of retaliation Evaluation by offenders immediately released back into society.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the County Board of the County of Stevenson, Illinois demands the Safety Act be immediately repealed and be it further resolved that a copy of our resolution be immediately sent to all state office holders representing any portion of the County of Stevenson and to the Office of Governor of the State of Illinois.
Dated at Freeport, Illinois, this 21st day of May 2026.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Busker?
Is there a second by Mrs. Lawfer?
Is there any discussion?
Mr. Newton, go ahead.
If you could pull your microphone closer to you, please.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chairman.
This has been debated and it's not in our privy to even change the state law.
We have state representatives, state senators, Senators that have argued different things against it, but for the most part, every acting judge can hold whomever he would like in jail if they've deemed necessary and that they're violent enough criminal, they should.
And so because of that, Chairman, I'm going to not vote for this.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Mrs. Williams.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I read this before I came today.
I stopped and I talked to the Sheriff about it and this resolution does not address some of the things that the Sheriff and I discussed on the fact that the Safety Act puts I would call an undue burden on his Department as far as training.
When I came in here, I was going to vote no on it based on the information that I have here, but after talking to Sheriff Scovel, I decided that I will be voting yes on this, but only because I had talked to Sheriff Scovel.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
Yeah, I do.
Mr. Jogerst, go ahead.
Oh, press your button again, please.
I think, in my opinion, we have an excellent judicial system and law enforcement agencies in this county.
I wish I could say that for some of the other areas in the state.
If you read the news, there are way too many instances where judges let criminals out while awaiting trial and they end up committing more crimes or worse hurting or killing other people.
This is why I'm against the Safety Act.
It needs to be repealed by those in state legislature and Governor Pritzker.
They should work on fixing this law instead of finding out ways to tax us more.
These overwhelming facts override the good in the bill, which was body cameras to provide accurate evidence for trials and more training for law enforcement.
The mandated training is good, but it has made our law enforcement people professional students instead of out on the streets keeping law in order.
The Safety Act has caused almost all of these expenses to fall onto local entities as another unfunded state mandate, excuse me.
It is also good to weed out bad individuals wearing a badge, that was part of it.
Of it, but the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board has not followed through with decertifying certain individuals that shouldn't be law enforcement.
They have not complied as written.
That's the board hasn't complied.
So with all these flaws, it's way past time to repeal the Safety Act and start over.
And I will support this resolution.
Thank you.
Seeing none you may go ahead and vote for the approval of the resolution and it looks like that passes nine to four the no votes were if I'm looking at this correctly, Baker, Bush, Moderow, and Newton.
Alright thank you very much.
With that we'll move on to Sheriff Stovall's department recipient of the Illinois Association Scholarship Award and Nate if you could please turn the podium back on for me.
Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you board members.
Each year the Illinois Sheriff's Association awards at least one $500 college scholarship to every sheriff's office throughout the state of Illinois to be awarded to a local student.
This year the Stephenson County Sheriff's Citizen Scholarship Committee has selected Ashley Rupnow of Freeport as the recipient of the 2026 Stephenson County ISA Scholarship.
Ashley is the daughter of Timothy Rupnow of Freeport.
School.
She attends Dakota High School and holds a 4.06 grade point average.
She will attend the University of Nebraska Kearney this fall.
Ashley plans on pursuing a degree in kinesiology, then transferring to a graduate school to obtain a master's or doctorate in occupational therapy and begin her career as a pediatric occupational therapist.
We congratulate Ashley on submitting such a well-written scholarship application and being the winning recipient of the 2026 Illinois Sheriff's Association Scholarship.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Sheriff.
Next we have, the Circuit Clerk has asked me to recognize tonight Ellen Williams.
Unfortunately, neither Ellen or the Circuit Clerk were able to be here.
But I did want to let the Board and the public know that Ellen actually began her career with the Circuit Clerk's office in October of 2005.
Throughout her tenure, Ellen has been a dedicated employee and our go-to expert for child support matters.
Turning to the side.
I want to congratulate her facing many health challenges.
She consistently demonstrated remarkable commitment and gave her very best to the Circuit Clerk's office.
Her last day with the county will be June 1st of this year.
So if you know Ellen, please congratulate her on the job well done and her dedication to Stephenson County.
Okay, we'll move on to the Zoning Report.
Director Williams, if you wouldn't mind coming to the podium, please.
Vice Chair, Thank you.
Good evening, Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals met with a full quorum.
The first hearing of the night was for Scott and Tiffany Ferry.
They're requesting a special use permit to allow for a single family dwelling in the Ag District, located at 3001 North AYP Road, Lena.
No objectors were present, and the board voted 5 to 0 to approve the special use.
Is there a motion to approve?
Mr. Didden, seconded by Mr. Newton.
Is there any discussion?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
And that passes unanimously.
Thank you.
Next item.
Next was the approval of a code amendment to Article 4, General Provision, Subsection 400-2310, Fences.
The board voted three to two to approve the code amendment.
Is there a motion to approve?
By Mr. Newton, second by Mr. Diddens.
Any discussion?
Seeing none you may go ahead and vote that passes 13 to 1.
Mr. Fricke has voted no.
Is that correct sir?
Very good.
All right your next item please.
The final evening for the, excuse me, of the night was for a text amendment to Chapter 376.
Vehicles, and Apparable, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the amendment.
Is there a motion to approve?
By Mr. Brandt, is there a second?
By Mrs. Lawfer, is there any discussion?
Yes.
Mr. Jogerst, would you press your button?
Thank you.
Go ahead, sir.
Yeah, I was reading through that and it looks like you only give them seven days to fix their vehicle.
Is that correct?
If they notify us we work with them okay yes we just don't appreciate that because sometimes you don't get right this isn't something we look for okay have people call into the office townships actually are starting to now call in about residents okay okay thank you mm- hmm any other discussion seeing none you may go ahead and vote for that approval and that passes unanimously.
Your final item please.
Yes, before you tonight is a contract for an as needed building inspector.
We currently have four dwellings we need inspected and his assistance and inspection in these matters would be amazing.
Our previous one resigned after not being able to complete any inspections and this gentleman is available to begin the process immediately.
Is there a motion to approve?
Mr. Jogerst, seconded by Mr. Moderow.
Is there any discussion?
Mr. Zimmerman, go ahead.
So I guess from what I read in that, can you explain further what the inspection, so it looked like it was not for regular building, but for?
Correct, it would be for residential dwellings.
We have several that are unoccupied and in shambles that are grasses long, the windows are broken out.
You can see right through some of the walls.
So these are in Residentially Zoned districts as well as the Ag District.
So like I said previously, we don't go looking for these things, but if they're brought to us, then this inspector would go and has, he has a protocol.
Okay.
Anyone else?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
That also passes unanimously.
Anything else, Director Williams?
That is it.
Alright, thank you very much.
Appreciate it.
Chairman's report, I did want to let everyone know.
I think I've mentioned this previously.
The annual UCCI event at Eagle Ridge in Galena is July 27th 7th and 28th.
If you have interest in going, please notify me as soon as possible.
It's very well attended and rooms will fill up quickly, so please let me know that.
Mrs. Baker, would you mind coming up and taking my seat for a moment?
Health insurance is always top Top of 9 for the county and this year we were able to, in addition to having the, what was it called Georgia, the, scanning, wellness screening, thank you, and in addition to that we did do the step challenge this year, which was pretty impressive actually, we had a lot of county employees participate, if you recall we were going to give a top individual award and then also Top Stepper Team Award.
I'm gonna start with the Team Award first.
This has gotta be a misprint.
Let's see, who's this?
The Public Defender's Office, gotcha.
All right, so that was 2,441 steps with an average of 488,202 steps per person.
Does that include your dogs also?
Just checking, Travis.
Okay, all right.
The team included Jenna Hoffman, Lynn Plowman, Kelly Knott, Ryan Schaer, and of course Travis Lutz.
You want to come up Travis?
This is pretty light for me, but you might need some help if you want to come around.
This is a traveling trophy, Stephenson County Step Up.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
You want to say anything?
Talk about how you cheated, anything like that?
Go ahead.
No need for the timer.
It'll be quick.
When we started this program, I really, really pushed all the health insurance and I have been pushing since I have taken over as the Chief Public Defender.
This program was fantastic.
So I really really appreciate everybody that supported this it was really easy to get my office involved I forced everybody to start walking we took walks in the middle of the day I was texting Lynn went to her graduation I forced her on the treadmill during her daughter's graduation so we were pushing it and you can see the reward after this because you know it stopped on that Monday and I had two employees that came into work that generally did not move during the today, too much.
And they came in after the competition was done and then asked to continue to walk.
They have, I saw one of them at the Y today who has now gotten membership.
So I think that that's really the benefit from this that I've been trying to push is, you know, the health insurance is obviously a valuable tool for this county and the county employees.
I don't even want to know what would happen if we lost that.
And everybody here has done an exceptional job in keeping it and making sure that that continues.
But it also is incumbent on the employees to get out and get active so I appreciate this you will probably hear from me about gym memberships every year but I appreciate and thank you.
We definitely appreciate all the effort I think the state's attorney said the conviction rate went up quite a bit during this time Period.
So thank you for that.
The next award is the top individual stepper award.
823,071 Steps.
And just to give you kind of an idea about that, I walk 10 miles a day and I didn't come close.
I was seventh place.
So Sally Brashaw, you'd like to come on up?
I just want to know how many pairs of shoes you went through.
The trick is to keep changing your shoes.
I have five pairs of sneakers that I changed off with so that your feet don't get so sore.
Well, congratulations.
Would you like to say anything?
I just want to say to the County Board, thank you.
Thank you very much for encouraging us all to be healthy, for the fitness programs that helped with the friendly banter, a lot of laughter, and unfortunately a lot of sore feet.
But thank you very much.
And for this, the top stepper did receive $100, the top team also $100, I believe $50 per person and two random draws and those were each $100 apiece.
So good motivation.
Thank you guys.
Okay next we have nine re-appointments and one new appointment.
What is the pleasure of the board with these?
These are all fire department, fire districts.
Okay Mr. Brandt has made a motion to approve all ten appointments at one Time, seconded by Mr. Diddens.
Is there any discussion on that?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for those appointments.
And those pass unanimously.
Thank you very much.
We'll now move on to action items and information from standing committees.
We'll begin with Finance.
Mrs. Baker, it appears you have four action items.
If you would press your microphone button for me.
Thank you.
Try it again please.
All right, there you go.
All right, approval to allow Chairman Helms to abstain from the vote for the approval of resolution establishing the salaries.
This is the next action item on the agenda.
With that, I make a motion to approve.
By Mr. Newton, is there a second by Mrs. Hayes.
I will just say obviously I'm not allowed to vote for the treasurer's office and I believe for the Treasurer's Office, and I believe this is one resolution for both the Treasurer and the County Clerk and Recorder.
Is there any other discussion?
Seeing none, if you would go ahead and make your vote for the abstention, and that passes unanimously.
Mrs. Baker, your next item, please.
Approval of the Resolution Establishing the Salaries of the Office of County Treasurer and County Clerk and Recorder.
The resolution before you pass out of committee unanimously that sets the compensation of the next four years for the County Clerk and Recorder and the County Treasurer.
It also adds two years to the Circuit Clerk.
The resolution brings the salary of the County Clerk and Recorder and the Treasurer to align with the Circuit Clerk.
The Clerk and Treasurer are both constitutional officers and their compensation must be set four years, at least 180 days prior to being the term of office on December 1st.
With that, I make a motion to approve.
Motion by Mrs. Baker.
Is there a second?
Mr. Jogerst, discussion.
Mr. Hadley, go ahead.
Yes, I got a question, why are we putting the, two years ago we did the County Circuit Clerk, why are we, some law changed in the state, or?
I will refer to the County Administrator, I'm not allowed to speak to this, or the State's Attorney.
Well, I didn't draft this resolution, but I think the reason they want to be circuit clerk in the resolution with the others is to develop some uniformity between the two of them.
I mean, did the state, I mean, we've always done this separate.
I mean, did something change in the state that allows us to do this?
Yes sir.
Well, you're certainly allowed to do it.
You're not changing the circuit clerk's salary for the next two years.
So her term is two more years from now.
And the salary in this resolution is what she's making currently.
The resolution does set the salary for two years of the next term.
But the, and there's a little bit of a question as to whether the state law would apply that says that you've got to set the salary 180 days before the next term of an elected official.
And we can get into that if you want, but this doesn't matter because it's more than 180 days before the next term of the circuit clerk's office.
So to a certain extent, it will leave you with two years to set at a future time, but there's no prohibition on setting the next circuit clerk's salaries for two years, which would then allow the alignment between all of the offices now.
Does that make sense?
Yeah, I guess, you know, I'd be happier if I knew the state changed the ordinance that we could have do this, you know.
I mean, we've been doing this since I was on the County Board back in 2002.
So to probably help your case a little bit on this is that I have, UCCI sent out some resolutions.
I was able to go through some of those resolutions.
I noticed that some counties do that and some counties don't do that.
So I just was curious.
To go on about this, I really struggled with this today.
And I believe two years ago, I made a motion to change the circuit clerk's salary to three percent in 26 and three percent in 27.
If I'm correct, in 28 and 29, that's three percent for each one of those also, according to my math.
I struggled because we're in a county that takes has lost revenue.
Why I say that is, is we're one of the highest counties in the state with senior freezes and that that's lost income to the county.
And I'm worried about, you know, union contracts.
I noticed, I looked at Ogle counties and the first year they put zero and then the second year, the third year and the fourth year, 2%, 2%, 2%.
That's staying under that $100,000 mark.
I'm happy that it's staying under that, but, really, I will support this, but we need to be very, very careful with the taxpayers' money, and not let these salaries get as high as, you know, like the school board and the school district.
It was amazing how their salaries have just gone up.
Some fears that was put out by the village voice recently.
So, but yeah, I'll support this with regret.
Thank you.
All right.
Mrs. Hayes.
Thank you, Chairman.
I agree with Mr. Hadley.
I'm looking through some of this stuff.
Do we have, just off the top of our head, the percentages of increase that we are giving all these constitutional?
Through all 3%?
It's in the resolution I believe.
Okay and that's what we do all the time for everyone?
No.
Go ahead Mrs. Newcomer.
So it is dependent on what non-contractual or non-CBA covered employees get per the budget policy which is a discussion point later in the agenda that gets set every year by the the Board.
The collective bargaining agreements, all of them are at four percent or higher currently for this term right now.
Okay, thank you.
Anything else Mrs. Hayes?
That's it Mr. Chairman.
Any other discussion?
Okay, seeing none, go Go ahead and vote for the approval.
That passes 11 to 2 with Mr. Fricke and Mrs. Williams voting no and I have abstained from that vote so please let the record show that.
Mrs. Baker go ahead with your next item please.
Approval of the bond payment to Milroy's Crossing Series 2020A and B debt interest.
This is a bond invoice that's due to State Bank.
We receive this every six months.
This is just the interest, not the principal of the debt certificates.
The way that we receive this invoice does not align with our AP system.
So we are needing to do a manual check in order to get this to State Bank by June 1st.
Would that make a motion to approve?
Second.
Mr. Newton, is there any discussion?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
And that passes unanimously.
Before I have you speak to the next one, Mrs. Baker.
Just similarly as we did last month, I did ask to have this discussion put on the board agenda just like we did with the salaries of the County Treasurer and County Clerk.
I would like the entire board to be able to look at this prior to the approval through finance.
I'm hoping everyone has had a brief moment to look at this prior to tonight.
If not, please take a look before next month's Finance Committee meeting and please give your input to the Finance Committee Members.
Mrs. Baker?
You took everything and stole your thunder didn't I?
I apologize for that.
I feel like Tim Whelan's back.
One point that I think and I don't know if Mrs. Newcomer wants to speak to it, but I believe the increase that's put in place this year is three and a half percent and if you want to speak to where that number came from.
Last year was three percent, correct?
Four percent, five percent, four percent.
Yes, the Finance Director and I discussed options with this.
All of the CBAs moving into the next fiscal year are at 4% or higher.
We looked at the differences between 3% and a 3.5% and trying to stay somewhat parallel with the CBAs.
So we came to that three and a half percent to present as a recommendation.
I do have cost breakdowns if you're interested.
Please.
Three and a half percent 3.5% increase would be approximately a $265,000 increase, $2,120 in IMRF and $20,272 in Social Security.
The difference between that and a 3% overall cost would be approximately $225,000.
IMRF would be $1,800 and Social Security would be $17,212.
If you would, please email those.
Changes out, okay.
Both for three and a half and 3%, so everyone has got those.
I've also got the breakdown of all of the CBAs on that document, so I will send that out tomorrow morning.
Very good.
I think I spoke to this last year during the budget process.
Inevitably, there's going to be department heads they're going to be coming to your oversight committees, singing the praises of their employees and how they have one or two in each department that deserves eight, 15, 20% increases.
It happens every year.
I really hope we take a strong look at this, this budget policy and we determine that rate of what it needs to be and we hold to that during this process.
We've also told the department it's the same thing, but inevitably it's going to probably occur.
Any questions or comments or direction to the Finance Committee?
Mrs. Williams, go ahead.
I'm sort of glad we're not voting on this tonight.
I did want to ask, and I can't get it up on my laptop, I believe it's on the last page.
I believe it's on the last page.
It talks about the outstanding debt, I believe, and I want to know if the outstanding debt that is owed to the nursing home or the the vendors at the nursing home or from the nursing home is going to be included in our budget.
Well, that is up to the 16 members of the Stephenson County Board.
I would like to recommend that we talk about that outstanding vendor debt and that it needs to be taken care of.
That's my opinion.
Thank you.
And I will say to that and any other issue if you have an issue please come with solutions.
Any any other discussion?
Okay.
Anything else off your committee, Mrs. Baker?
No.
All right.
Thank you very much.
Appreciate it.
Public Property and Safety, Mr. Bush, no action items.
Any information you'd like to share?
Haven't done.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
Administration Committee, Mr. Jogerst, you have two action items, I believe, if you don't mind pressing your button for me.
Just a moment.
Mr. Louie.
There it goes.
Now we're good.
Yeah the first one is Approval of Addendum to Agreement for the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal, CAMA, and the Wedge Edge License Maintenance and Support Contract with DevNet.
I'll make a motion to approve and we'll talk about it.
All right, Mr. Jogerst has made the motion.
Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Moderow.
Is there any discussion?
I just was going to say that this is a renewal of the service that they need to do the assessments and I believe this was, if If you look at it, the later years here, there's no increase in the in the cost.
So there's like not enough, not a coal or inflation going up every year on it.
So I think it's a very good contract.
So.
Okay, great.
Thank you.
Any other discussion?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
And that passes unanimously 15 to 0.
Your next item sir.
The approval of engagement letter with Lowenbaum Law.
This is a engagement to work at basically the $500 per hour and it's a continuation of a service that we had with them and we so therefore we didn't have to take it out for a bid and and things like that.
So I'm going to make a motion to approve.
Is there a second?
Second.
By Mr. Diddens.
Discussion.
Mr. Hadley.
Go ahead, sir.
Do we know what his fee was the last time?
I think.
Mrs. Newcomer.
It's about $150 an hour savings now that he is not with Jackson Lewis any longer.
Also, we're getting a savings on this.
Correct.
Jackson-Lewis, and went out on his own firm.
He is now cheaper through his own firm.
Okay, thank you.
Yep.
Any other discussion?
And just for those of you that may not be aware, Mr. Lowenbaum is a labor attorney.
He has helped the county with several of the contracts that we have with the unions.
If no other discussion, you may go ahead and vote for the approval.
And that passes unanimously 15 to 0.
Any other information Mr. Jogerst?
That's all Chairman, thank you.
Perfect, thank you.
Moving on to Court Services, Mr. Diddens, no action items.
Do you have any information to share?
Yes, thank you Mr. Chairman.
I just have one announcement.
The Circuit Clerk's Chief Deputy Clerk, Brandy Meloncon graduated on May 13th from the Leadership Institute at Highland Community College and I just wanted to thank her for her dedication and her you know continued education so that's all thank you.
Great thank you.
We move on to nursing center Mrs. Lawfer no action items do you have any information and if you do could you please press your microphone button for The current census is 80 as of last Thursday, May 14th, and all POCs for the annual and life safety service have been submitted.
The facility continues to monitor staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage across all departments.
Agency hours have been zero for the last couple of weeks.
And the facility celebrated nursing home week last week also.
And that's all the information I have.
Great, thank you very much.
We'll move on to planning and development.
Mr. Fricke, you have an action item.
Go ahead, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We have one action item here this evening.
This is the approval of a release of a mortgage.
The reason we have this in here is this number of years ago, of 2003, there was a program where people could get money to do some rehab work to their homes and they had to agree to stay there for five years.
The people that have owned this house now have done their part, now they're looking to sell and they've done that but they've never looked at releasing the mortgage until now so they're just asking us to release the mortgage and so with that Motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Busker, any discussion?
Mr. Bush, go ahead, sir.
Yeah, does this person have to live in that house or can't he rent it out?
At this point, they met all those things, they had to live there for five years, and that was back in 2003.
So they've lived there for more than five years and now they're just trying to sell the property or I can't say sell but to the property is going to change hands and they just need the mortgage lien released.
Does that answer your question?
Yeah.
Anything else Mr. Bush?
No.
All right.
Very good.
Any other discussion?
Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that approval.
That passes unanimously 15 to 0.
Any other information of your committee, Mr. Fricke?
Not at this time, Mr. Chairman.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
We'll move on to Public Works.
Mr. Brandt, you have two action items.
And you may go ahead sir.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
The first is HD 2608 which is the agreement for federal day labor on a pavement preservation project.
This is a reimbursement for county that county provided seal coding on Orangeville Road.
With that I make a motion to approve.
Thank you.
Is there a second?
Thank you.
Is there a second by Mr. Jogerst?
Is there any discussion?
Mr. Hadley, go ahead sir.
Did you say Orangeville Road?
How many miles will that cover then this price?
This is a reimbursement so oh no so we've done it already or okay then how many miles roughly pretty expensive anyone else seeing none you may go ahead I'll go ahead and vote for that.
And that passes unanimously 15-0.
Your next item, please.
HD 2609 is a culvert repair cost sharing petition with Waddam's Township.
Mr. Hadley, this will be considerably cheaper.
So I make a motion to approve HD 2609.
Is there a second by Mr. Newton?
Mr. Hadley would you press your button please?
Go ahead sir.
A little confused I see the petitioner was the Highway Commissioner from Buckeye Township.
Is this being done in Buckeye Township or Wadham's Grove Township?
And why is the Buckeye Township and the ship guy doing the Wadham-Groves Township.
Very good question.
Dale, any thoughts?
I think it's a handball.
This is supposed to be for Wadham Township, so who signed it?
Well, Larry Rocko.
Yeah, he signed Wadham Township, so the handball wasn't born.
He is Wadham Township, okay.
So, well, we should probably amend that then, huh?
Are you making a motion to amend it, Mr. Hadley?
Yes.
To Wadams?
Yeah, Wadams Grove, instead of, it says Black Eyed Township, instead of Black Eyed Township, amend it to Wadam Grove's Township.
All right, and Mr. Jogerst, you're seconding the amendment.
Is there any discussion on the amendment?
I would like to add, Mr. Chairman, it does say Wadams Township at the very top of that resolution, so.
Correct.
But down here where it says Commissioner.
Mr. Rasmussen is actually correct.
That is a typo.
Any other discussion on the amendment?
Seeing none, you may vote for the amendment, please.
And the amendment passes unanimously 15 to zero.
The original motion is still on the floor.
Is there any other discussion as amended?
Seeing none, you may vote.
And that passes unanimously 14 to 0.
Mr. Brandt, any other information?
Not this evening, thank you.
All right, is there a motion to adjourn until 6:30 PM June 18th, 2026 by Mr. Bush?
Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Busker.
You may go ahead and vote on adjournment.
And that passes unanimously thank you everyone have a safe holiday weekend