Meeting Events

Meeting: 5b70ycid6so.stephenson_county_board_meeting_-_06_18_26

Meeting date: 2026-06-18

Meeting type: county_board

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

Decisions and Votes

• Approval of Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the agenda.
  • Evidence: “Can I get a motion to approve the agenda, please? So moved. By Mr. Diddens, seconded by Mr. Fricke”
  • Evidence: “And that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:20

• Amendment to Public Works Agenda Item 3 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to amend to remove Item Number 3 of the Public Works agenda (approval of bid tabs).
  • Evidence: “I’d like to remove an agenda item under Public Works, Action Item Number 3, the approval of bid tabs. I make that motion.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing no discussion, please vote on the amendment. And that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:39

• Approval of Agenda (Final) — Passed

  • Summary: The vote for the agenda passed 11-0.
  • Evidence: “Is there any further discussion on the agenda? Seeing none, go ahead and vote for the agenda, please. That passes 11-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:04

• Approval of Consent Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: The vote on approving the consent agenda passed 12-0.
  • Evidence: “is there a motion to approve the consent agenda by mr. Newton is there a second by mr. Brandt”
  • Evidence: “With that you may go ahead and vote for the Consent Agenda. All right that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:47

• Approval of IGA with Jefferson-Lauren Multi-Township Assessment District — Passed

  • Summary: The vote on the IGA passed 13 to 0.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Jogerst?”
  • Evidence: “Is there a second? By Mrs. Lawfer.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that IGA. That passes 13 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:55

• Approval of zoning text amendment — Passed

  • Summary: The vote passed 12 to 0.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr.”
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Busker?”
  • Evidence: “Is there a second by Mr. Diddens?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none you may go ahead and cast your vote and that passes 12 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:21

• Approval of board reappointments — Passed

  • Summary: Motion by Mr. Fricke to approve both reappointments at once.
  • Evidence: “Mr. Frick, go ahead. Press your button. There we go. Go ahead, Mr. Frick. Fricke. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would ask that we are moved to approve both of these at once.”
  • Evidence: “second by Mr. Busker.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote and that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:25

• Juneteenth Independence Day recognition — Passed

  • Summary: Motion by Mr. Bush to approve the proclamation.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve? By Mr. Bush”
  • Evidence: “is there a second? By Mr. Newton.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none please cast your vote and that passes 13 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:05

• Juneteenth Recognition Resolution

  • Summary: Motion to approve Juneteenth recognition.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve? By Mr. Bush, is there a second? By Mr. Newton.”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 18:05

• FY 27 Administrative Budget Policy Approval — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the version of the FY 27 Administrative Budget Policy that passed out of the Finance Committee.
  • Evidence: “So with that, I make a motion to approve. Thank you.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote. And that passes 12 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:56

• AI Use Policy Approval — Approved

  • Summary: Motion to approve the AI use policy.
  • Evidence: “so I’d like to make a motion to approve it. Thank you.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none you may cast your vote. 12-0 That is approved.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:40

• Commercial Lease Addendum Approval — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the addendum for the commercial lease agreement on Meadows Drive.
  • Evidence: “If I can get a, I’ll make a motion to approve that and if I can get a second, I’ll give you some more details on that.”
  • Evidence: “I’ll make a motion to approve that and if I can get a second, I’ll give you some more details on that.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote. And that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 23:53

• Memorandum of Understanding with Lafayette County in Wisconsin — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding.
  • Evidence: “So what this agreement does is put Lafayette County in charge of those bridges and the inspection requirements, maintenance, repairs all fall upon them so this is like Christmas in June with that I move to approve.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none you may cast your vote and that passes 13 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 25:43

• Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the resolution.
  • Evidence: “So with that, I make a motion to approve the resolution.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you can cast your vote. And that passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:16

• Bid award to Martin and Company — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the bid awarded to Martin and Company for an agreement with West Point on North Shippey Road.
  • Evidence: “So I move to approve. Thank you.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, please cast your vote. And that passes 13 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 28:48

• Approval of truck and snow equipment for tandem cabin chassis (DHG 2612) — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve DHG 2612 regarding the truck and snow equipment.
  • Evidence: “So, I move to approve DHG 2612. I move to approve DHG 2612.”
  • Evidence: “And that passes 13 to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:53

• Adjournment — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to adjourn the meeting.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adjourn? So moved. By Mr. Bush, second by Mr. Busker.”
  • Evidence: “If not, please cast your vote. That passes 12-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:49

Procedural Actions

• Meeting Call to Order

  • Summary: The meeting was called to order.
  • Evidence: “Good evening. I have 6.30. We’ll go ahead and call this meeting to order.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08

• Opening Ceremonies

  • Summary: Mr. Jogerst was asked to lead a prayer, and Mrs. Lawfer was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Evidence: “Mr. Jogerst, would you please lead us in a prayer? And Mrs. Lawfer, the Pledge of Allegiance?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08

• Reappointment of board members

  • Summary: The board addressed the reappointment of Margaret Christensen and Kevin Boyer to the Board of Review.
  • Evidence: “All right, we’ll move on to the appointments of Margaret Christensen to the Board of Review. It’s actually a reappointment and a reappointment of Kevin Boyer to the Board of Review.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:25

Presentations and Reports

• Intergovernmental Agreement with Jefferson-Lauren Multi-Township Assessment District

  • Summary: Administrator Newcomer presented the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for a four-year period of assessments.
  • Evidence: “The approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Jefferson-Lauren Multi-Township Assessment District for four-year period of assessments. And Administrator Newcomer, I believe you’re presenting this?”
  • Source timestamp: 04:47

• Zoning Report/Text Amendment

  • Summary: Director Williams presented information regarding a text amendment for zoning, noting the version was cleaned up from what was originally intended.
  • Evidence: “I apologize director Williams good evening the text amendment before you was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in May the incorrect version was approved at last month’s County Board meeting no changes have been made to the ordinance itself this version is simply a cleaned up version of what was originally intended to be presented for approval.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:49

• Zoning text amendment approval

  • Summary: The zoning report clarified that the version presented was a cleaned up version of what was originally intended for approval, as the incorrect version was approved previously.
  • Evidence: “I’m sorry zoning report I apologize director Williams good evening the text amendment before you was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in May the incorrect version was approved at last month’s County Board meeting no changes have been made to the ordinance itself this version is simply a cleaned up version of what was originally intended to be presented for approval.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:49

• Chairman’s report on overweight trucks

  • Summary: Engineer Rasmussen reported issues with overweight trucks damaging county roads, leading the Sheriff’s Office to conduct scale training and already impact illegal operations.
  • Evidence: “Chairman’s report I’ll be To be brief, two months ago I guess it was we heard from engineer Rasmussen about overweight trucks traversing county roads and causing damage trying to figure out a solution to that. The Sheriff’s Office volunteered to take scale training and they have done so and they’ve already made an impact on that.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:21

• UCCI update

  • Summary: Mr. Newton provided an update on the upcoming UCCI conference in July, which includes training courses, a golf outing, and a bus tour into Galena.
  • Evidence: “Right, we’re good. The annual UCCI conference is coming up in July. I don’t know if everyone has had an opportunity to register, but it is a wonderful event. We We usually have some training that goes forth this year, I think, just about three different training courses that we’re going to have.”
  • Source timestamp: 12:59

• NACO event participation

  • Summary: Mr. Newton advised interested parties to see Chairman Helms regarding attendance at the annual NACO event.
  • Evidence: “If you are interested you need to see Chairman Helms and he will allow you or not allow you depends on how much money we have and how many people are going to attend that event”
  • Source timestamp: 13:50

• Washington DC trip funding

  • Summary: The board will fund a Washington DC trip for all Illinois County Board members who wish to attend in September.
  • Evidence: “We will be funding a Washington DC trip for all Illinois County Board members who’d like to go as well and so more details will come in about a month.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:50

• FY 27 Administrative Budget Policy

  • Summary: Mrs. Baker presented the action item regarding approval of the FY 27 Administrative Budget Policy.
  • Evidence: “First is finance. Mrs. Baker you have an action item. Yes, approval of the FY 27 Administrative Budget Policy.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:05

• AI Use Policy Approval

  • Summary: Mr. Jogerst presented an action item regarding approval of an AI use policy.
  • Evidence: “I’m sorry, you do have an action item. I apologize. We’ve got one. Thank you, Chairman. Yeah, we have an approval of an AI use policy.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:51

• Nursing Center Census Update

  • Summary: Mrs. Lawfer reported the current census as 75 as of June 11, 2006, and noted agency hours were 45 to 48.
  • Evidence: “The current census is 75 as of last Thursday, June 11, 2006. The facility continues to monitor staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage across all departments. Agency hours have been 45 to 48 for the last couple weeks due to the need for increased staffing because of the increased census.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:48

• Pearl City Historical Society Event Report

  • Summary: Mr. Frick reported that the Pearl City Historical Society event at Black Hawk Park had 150 registered people and thanked vendors.
  • Evidence: “the Pearl City Historical Society had their event out at Black Hawk Park it went really well they had 150 people that registered I think there was more than that there but and 150 people registered”
  • Source timestamp: 22:25

• Public Works Action Items

  • Summary: Mr. Brandt presented five action items, starting with the approval of an addendum to the commercial lease agreement on Meadows Drive.
  • Evidence: “Public Works, Mr. Brandt, you have five action items. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The first is the approval of the addendum Welcome to the commercial lease agreement that we have on Meadows Drive.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:25

• Public Works, Mr. Brandt

  • Summary: Mr. Brandt has five action items.
  • Evidence: “Public Works, Mr. Brandt, you have five action items.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:25

• Memorandum of Understanding with Lafayette County in Wisconsin

  • Summary: Discussion regarding an agreement with Lafayette County concerning two bridges on State Line Road for repairs, inspections, and maintenance.
  • Evidence: “The next one is a memorandum of understanding this is an agreement with Lafayette County in Wisconsin because it became apparent that on State Line Road there is two bridges that we would be actually trying to work with them on trying to calculate repairs and inspections and maintenance and what not.”
  • Source timestamp: 25:05

• Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection

  • Summary: Approval of the Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection, which is fully funded by a state grant award.
  • Evidence: “So we’re moving down to HD 2610, which is the approval of the Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection. This is a fully funded project as a result of an award from the state grant from them.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:25

Discussion

• Attendance Check

  • Summary: There were 12 people present, and Mrs. Hayes was excused due to illness.
  • Evidence: “Looks like we have 12 presents. Mrs. Hayes has asked to be excused. She is ill”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08

• Public Comment Period

  • Summary: No public comment was received.
  • Evidence: “Is there any public comment tonight? Okay. Seeing none we’ll move into new business.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:47

• Retirement Remarks (McNutt)

  • Summary: Al McNutt graduated from Morrison Institute of Technology and started working for the county in 1986.
  • Evidence: “He graduated from Morrison Institute of Technology and began working in the county in 1986 as an engineering technician. Over the next 40 years, I can’t believe that 40 years, through May of 2026, you build a distinguished career marked by professionalism, integrity, and strong work ethic,”
  • Source timestamp: 08:02

• Retirement Remarks (McNutt)

  • Summary: Al McNutt stated he appreciates everyone putting up with him for 40 years.
  • Evidence: “I just appreciate everybody putting up with me for 40 years.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:15

• Retirement Remarks (Diddens)

  • Summary: Dale mentioned that Al was an inspiration when he came along.
  • Evidence: “When Dale come along, it really was an inspiration.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:30

• Retirement Remarks (Board)

  • Summary: The board noted Al’s construction and bridge inspection experience and knowledge of Stephenson County highways and bridges would be hard to replace.
  • Evidence: “Al’s been a mainstay with the county. He was one of the very dependable he was one of the very dependable employees that we’ve had it’s his construction experience and bridge inspection experience that’s going to be very very hard to replace and just his knowledge of Stephenson County highways and bridges”
  • Source timestamp: 09:49

• AI Use Policy Discussion

  • Summary: Mr. Moderow emphasized the time and work put into the policy, noting checks with other counties and legal review.
  • Evidence: “I just want to emphasize the time and work and research that went into this policy. I know this is a new frontier and there’s a lot of nervous feelings, but the checking and double checking and triple checking that went into this, not only checking with other counties, but running it by legal, running by the committee month after”
  • Source timestamp: 19:59

• AI Use Policy Scope Discussion

  • Summary: Discussion regarding whether unions must be consulted for the AI use policy.
  • Evidence: “And how about the unions and stuff, do we have to work with other counties on this? Do we have to work with other counties on this? Run this past the unions too or is it just because it’s in the handbook the unions have to apply by the handbook then?”
  • Source timestamp: 19:59

• Addendum to commercial lease agreement on Meadows Drive

  • Summary: The addendum allows reimbursement of monthly internet to the landlord while they handle other components with Arrow.
  • Evidence: “So this agreement, this addendum allows us to just reimburse the landlord for the monthly internet and they will take care of the other components of the agreement with Arrow. So it’s a win-win for everybody.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:43

• Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the scope of work, specifically confirming no roundabout will be built but adding a left turn lane on southbound traffic of 26.
  • Evidence: “No roundabout, but there is going to be the addition of a left turn lane on the southbound traffic of 26.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:21

• Joint Agreement for the reconstruction of Route 26 and McConnell Road intersection

  • Summary: Question regarding completion timeline, with confirmation that construction is expected by the end of 2026.
  • Evidence: “Engineer Rasmussen told me it’d be done by the end of 2026 construction season, correct?”
  • Source timestamp: 27:53

• Approval of truck and snow equipment for tandem cabin chassis (DHG 2612)

  • Summary: Question raised about whether the newly approved truck is the same type as a previously purchased freight liner from Dubuque, Iowa.
  • Evidence: “Back in February, we purchased another truck from Dubuque in Iowa, a freight liner. Are these both same type of trucks or different trucks?”
  • Source timestamp: 30:03

• Truck type comparison

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding whether two purchased trucks are the same type.
  • Evidence: “Back in February, we purchased another truck from Dubuque in Iowa, a freight liner. Are these both same type of trucks or different trucks?”
  • Source timestamp: 30:03

• Truck acquisition timeline

  • Summary: The second truck might be moved up due to new exhaust emission standards.
  • Evidence: “The other reason why there’s interest in getting maybe moving that second truck up a little bit was because there’s a new exhaust emission standards going to be put in place.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:32

• Committee information from Mr. Brandt

  • Summary: Mr. Brandt reported nothing else at this time regarding committee items.
  • Evidence: “Any other information out of your committee, Mr. Brandt? Nothing else at this time.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:26

Public Comment

• Animal control building status
  • Summary: A follow-up question was made regarding the operational date of the animal control new building.
  • Evidence: “I know I had asked if it was likely that the animal control new building would be up and operational by July 1st.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:31

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Retirement of Al McNutt

  • Summary: Al McNutt was recognized for his retirement after a distinguished career spanning 40 years.
  • Evidence: “next on the agenda, we are recognizing Al McNutt from the Highway Department in his retirement.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:55

• Juneteenth Independence Day recognition

  • Summary: Resolution recognizing June 19th as Juneteenth Independence Day.
  • Evidence: “Next, we have a proclamation, the approval of the Juneteenth Independence Day… The Stephenson County Board hereby recognizes and celebrates Juneteenth as part of history and heritage of the United States. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Stephenson County Board that June 19th is recognized as Juneteenth Independence Day, encourages everyone to join in celebration and solidarity and urges all residents to actively raise their own awareness of the significance of this celebration in American history and in the heritage of our nation and county.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:33

• Juneteenth Recognition

  • Summary: The Stephenson County Board recognized Juneteenth as Juneteenth Independence Day and encouraged celebration and awareness.
  • Evidence: “The Stephenson County Board hereby recognizes and celebrates Juneteenth as part of history and heritage of the United States. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Stephenson County Board that June 19th is recognized as Juneteenth Independence Day, encourages everyone to join in celebration and solidarity and urges all residents to actively raise their own awareness of the significance of this celebration in American history and in the heritage of our nation and county.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:33

• Wally Remmers

  • Summary: Thanked Wally Remmers for work prior to the event.
  • Evidence: “I’d also like to thank Wally Remmers for the work that he did out there prior to the event and getting that ready to go.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:25

Follow-ups

• Budget worksheets distribution
  • Summary: Budget worksheets will be sent out June 24th to all department heads to start the preparation of the budget.
  • Evidence: “Budget worksheets will be sent out June 24th to all department heads to start the preparation of the budget.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:51