Meeting Events

Meeting: hefppv4nbty.stephenson_county_board_meeting_04_16_26

Meeting date: 2026-04-16

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 Tonight’s Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve tonight’s agenda.
  • Evidence: “May I please get an approval for tonight’s agenda by Mr. Bush, is there a second?”
  • Evidence: “Second by Mr. Diddens, is there any discussion on the agenda? Seeing none, if you would please mark your vote for the approval of the agenda. And that was passed unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 05:33

• Approval of Consent Agenda Items A and B — Passed

  • Summary: The motion to approve items A and B on the consent agenda passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, is there a motion to approve A and B by Mr. Newton, second by Mr. Busker?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, if you would please go ahead and vote for the approval of the agenda. And also passes unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:15

• Appointment of Cindy Lawfer to County Board District I — Passed

  • Summary: The vote on the appointment of Cindy Lawfer passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve by Mr. Diddens?”
  • Evidence: “Is there a second by Mr. Jogerst?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that. That passes unanimous.”
  • Source timestamp: 14:35

• Opening the floor to nominations for Vice Chair — Passed

  • Summary: The vote to open the floor to nominations passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to open the floor to nominations? By Mr. Jogerst?”
  • Evidence: “is there a second? By Mr. Diddens?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and vote for that. And that passes unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:45

• Closing nominations for Vice Chair — Passed

  • Summary: The vote to close the nominations passed with 12 yes votes and one no vote.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to close the nominations? Mr. Busker, is there a second?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and cast your vote. All right, so the vote to close the nominations has 12 yes and one no.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:48

• Nomination of Nicole Baker as Vice Chair — Passed

  • Summary: The roll call vote for the nomination of Nicole Baker as Vice Chair carried.
  • Evidence: “Larry Jogerst. Aye. Scott Helms. Aye. Nicole Baker. Aye. Steve Fricke. Yes. Sydney Lawfer. Aye. Ronnie Bush. Aye. Samuel Newton. Williams, Adam, Moderow, 12-A, one-A. Motion carries.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:26

• Entering executive session — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Mr. Diddens, seconded by Mr. Jogerst, regarding going into executive session.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to go into executive session? By Mr. Diddens, second by Mr. Jogerst.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and cast your vote. And that passes unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:41

• Proclamation of National Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week — Approved

  • Summary: The proclamation was approved.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote for the approval of the motion. For the approval of the proclamation.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:39

• Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation — Passed

  • Summary: The proclamation passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to approve?”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote for the approval of that proclamation. And that passes unanimously, thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:34

• Proclamation of National Day of Prayer — Passed

  • Summary: The proclamation for National Day of Prayer passed with one no vote.
  • Evidence: “Then that passes with one no vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:07

• Proclamation of National Telecommunicators Week — Passed

  • Summary: The proclamation for National Telecommunicators Week passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “And that passes unanimously.”

• Board Appointments (Lobb & Baker) — Passed

  • Summary: Both appointments passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “And then both appointments pass unanimously, thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:59

• Approval of Manual Claims for Sheriff’s Department — Passed

  • Summary: The manual claims for the Sheriff’s Department passed unanimously.
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may go ahead and cast your vote for approval and that passes unanimous.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:02

• Temporary use permit for Pearl City Historical Organization at Black Hawk Park — Passed

  • Summary: Move to approve a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization for the use of Black Hawk Park.
  • Evidence: “I do. I’m excited to ask for this approval of a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization for the use of Black Hawk Park to celebrate their 100th year of being the organization of history for Pearl City and the area and they’re excited to be able to use our part to promote the Blackhawk monument and that area as well as part of what they do at the Pearl City historical organization. This temporary use permit was passed in our committee and with that I would move to approve.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:29

• Approval of bid for Township Bridge preparation (HD 2606) — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the bid for a covert replacement on North Shippey Road in West Point Township.
  • Evidence: “For your consideration tonight, we have HD 2606, approval of bid for Township Bridge preparation. It’s a covert replacement on North Shippey Road in West Point Township, and I so move.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, you may cast your vote for approval. That passes unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:29

• Approval of bid for kennels for new animal control — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve a bid received for kennels for the new animal control.
  • Evidence: “Next item, Mr. Newton. Thank you we have also a bid or one bid for that was passed or that came in for kennels for the new animal control and I so moved to approve those that bid”
  • Evidence: “Saying no discussion you you may cast your vote for approval. That also passes unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:14

• Adjournment until May 21st, 2026 — Approved

  • Summary: The motion to adjourn was approved unanimously.
  • Evidence: “All right, is there a motion to adjourn until 6:30 PM on May 21st, 2026?”
  • Evidence: “Mr. Bush, seconded by Mrs. Hayes. You may vote to adjourn. There’ll be enough votes to pass. That is approved unanimously.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:37:47

Procedural Actions

• Meeting Call to Order and Attendance Check

  • Summary: The meeting was called to order, and attendance was taken.
  • Evidence: “Good evening everyone. We will go ahead and call the meeting to order. I am going to initiate the vote for attendance.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:10

• Meeting Technical Advisory

  • Summary: Board members were asked to turn off Wi-Fi if using phones connected to the courthouse network, and close non-County Board related windows on laptops or iPads due to bandwidth concerns.
  • Evidence: “Before we begin, just so we can hopefully eliminate any internet issues with the voting system, if you currently have your phone set on wi-fi for the courthouse, if you wouldn’t mind please shutting that off. We’re just not certain that the bandwidth is enough to have everything on at one time. If you have any windows other than what we’re using for the County Board open on your laptop or iPad if you wouldn’t mind closing those”
  • Source timestamp: 03:58

• Opening Ceremonies

  • Summary: Mr. Jogerst was asked to lead in prayer, and Mrs. Baker was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Evidence: “Mr. Jogerst Would you please lead us in prayer and Mrs. Baker, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?”
  • Source timestamp: 04:14

• Appointment of Cindy Lawfer to County Board District I

  • Summary: The board moved to move on to the appointment of Cindy Lawfer to fill the vacancy C&C and County Board District I.
  • Evidence: “All right, with that, we’ll move on to the appointment of Cindy Lawfer to fill the vacancy C&C and County Board District I.”
  • Source timestamp: 14:35

• Oath administration for Cindy Lawfer

  • Summary: Judge McClannathan administered the oath to Cynthia J. Lawfer.
  • Evidence: “Judge McClannathan, would you mind administering her oath?”
  • Source timestamp: 15:25

• Vice Chair nomination process opening

  • Summary: The board opened the floor for nominations for the position of County Board Vice Chair due to Mr. Whalen’s resignation.
  • Evidence: “All right, the next item is the nominations for Vice Chair. As you’re all aware, with the resignation of Mr. Whalen last month, we did announce that vacancy in the opening for that. So we will open up the floor now for nominations for the position of County Board Vice Chair.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:48

• Transition to new business and executive session

  • Summary: The board moved on to new business and into executive session.
  • Evidence: “All right with that we’ll move on to new business and into executive session.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:41

• Proclamation of National Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week

  • Summary: Moderow seconded the motion, and Diddens seconded the motion.
  • Evidence: “So moved. And Moderow, second by Mr. Diddens.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:32

• Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation

  • Summary: Jogerst made the motion, and Fricke seconded it.
  • Evidence: “By Mr. Jogerst, is there a second? By Mr. Fricke”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:28

• Committee Reports Status

  • Summary: Mr. Jogerst confirmed there were no action items from Finance.
  • Evidence: “Anything else out of Finance, Mr. Jogerst? That is all, Chairman.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:25:15

• Administration Committee Report

  • Summary: Mr. Jogerst confirmed there were no action items from Administration.
  • Evidence: “With that, we’ll move on to administration. Mr. Jogerst, no action items.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:28:18

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Proclamation of National Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week
  • Summary: The Stephenson County Board proclaimed May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as National Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week in Stephenson County.
  • Evidence: “And now therefore be it resolved that the Stephenson County Board does hereby proclaim May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as National Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week in Stephenson County”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:07

Appointments

• Appointment to Otter Creek Utility District

  • Summary: Approval of the appointment of Warren Lobb to the Otter Creek Utility District was moved by Mrs. Hayes and seconded by Mr. Diddens.
  • Evidence: “All right, the first is the approval of the appointment of Warren Lobb to the Otter Creek Utility District”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:38

• Appointment to Extension Board

  • Summary: Approval of the appointment of Nicole Baker to the extension board was moved by Mrs. Hayes and seconded by Mr. Diddens.
  • Evidence: “and the second is the approval of the appointment and of Nicole Baker to the extension board.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:38

Presentations and Reports

• Greater Freeport Partnership quarterly presentation

  • Summary: Andrea Schultz-Winter and Nicole Hass presented the Greater Freeport Partnership’s quarterly report, highlighting strategic focus areas, economic data, a workforce alignment initiative, and first quarter highlights.
  • Evidence: “Next on the agenda is the Greater Freeport Partnership quarterly presentation presented by Andrea Schultz-Winter and Nicole Hass.”
  • Source timestamp: 35:44

• Workforce Alignment Strategy and Economic Development

  • Summary: The speaker presented on the workforce alignment strategy, noting structural workforce imbalance due to elevated turnover rates, retirements outpacing workforce entry, and commuter workforce not translating into residency.
  • Evidence: “What we’ve consistently seen are elevated turnover rates, retirements are outpacing workforce entry and commuter workforce is not translating into residency. So this isn’t just a blip on the radar, we’re seeing this as a structural workforce imbalance.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:57

• Next Steps in Workforce Strategy

  • Summary: The proposed next steps focus on reviewing responsibilities of employers, public partners, and educational institutions for talent retention/attraction, and aligning education/training with current needs.
  • Evidence: “Highlighted on the screen you see our two bolded bullet points. That’s where we started to focus our work to review the responsibilities of employers, our public partners, and educational institutions and how we retain and attract that talent and we dove into that in the meeting. The other thing that we’re looking at is educational and training alignment for current needs and our future opportunities.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:14

• Economic Development: Site Readiness Grants and Opportunity Zones

  • Summary: The speaker reported on receiving a site readiness grant from the state of Illinois, continuing work on executing it via environmental assessment on Greenfield sites. Additionally, the city of Freeport broke ground on well 12, and the partnership is advocating for the expansion of the Opportunity Zone.
  • Evidence: “We have received a site readiness grant from the state of Illinois. We are continuing work on executing that grant and currently are in environmental assessment on Greenfield sites… Additionally the city of Freeport has broken ground on well 12 which opens up another area of the community for potential retail and commercial industrial corridors.”
  • Source timestamp: 44:28

• Opportunity Zone Advocacy

  • Summary: The Greater Freeport Partnership is advocating for the Opportunity Zone renewal in June, having secured several letters of support from local businesses, developers, companies to demonstrate economic potential.
  • Evidence: “This will be coming up for renewal in June and the partnership has secured several letters of support from local businesses, developers, companies to demonstrate the economic potential of having an Opportunity Zone if it were to be expanded into the other eligible census tracts within the city of Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:12

• Hotel and Conference Center Attraction

  • Summary: The speaker noted that hotel occupancy rates fluctuate, citing a dip in Quarter one partly due to one hotel undergoing major renovations.
  • Evidence: “You have seen in your packets that our occupancy rate, our rate at which our hotels are full, fluctuates. Quarter one, they were down a little bit. And I’m going to tell you, too, that that number is reflected also by the fact that one of our hotels has been undergoing major renovations.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:39

• Hotel and Conference Center Attraction

  • Summary: The speaker noted that hotel occupancy rate fluctuates, citing Q1 dips partly due to a major renovation at one hotel.
  • Evidence: “You have seen in your packets that our occupancy rate, our rate at which our hotels are full, fluctuates. Quarter one, they were down a little bit.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:39

• Hotel Leakage Numbers

  • Summary: The graph represents hotel leakage numbers from January of 2019 up until January of 2025.
  • Evidence: “But with all of that said, the graph that you see up on the screen tonight actually represents our hotel leakage numbers. So when you see it dip down low, those are in, and I apologize on that screen, it’s really small. But it goes from January of 2019 up until January of 2025.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:57

• Hotel Capacity Limitation

  • Summary: The three major hotels in Freeport and Stephenson County only have a combined capacity of 202 rooms.
  • Evidence: “If you count the three The major hotels that we have here in all in Freeport but it also all in Stephenson County there’s only 202.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:21

• Need for Conference Center

  • Summary: The county lacks a location in Freeport or Stephenson County to host a meeting with an attached hotel, as existing hotel meeting rooms are limited to 25 people.
  • Evidence: “We don’t have anywhere here in Freeport or Stephenson County that we can host a meeting with an attached hotel. Our meeting room for any of our existing hotels is only 25 people.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:41

• Sister City Partnership with Lidditz, Pennsylvania

  • Summary: The county presented Lidditz with a key to the city featuring a gold pretzel and received one in return.
  • Evidence: “We have presented Lidditz with a key to the city that has a gold pretzel on the end and in turn Kern, Hope, you can’t. And in turn, oh you can’t see because my picture is in the way, you can over there, they gave us one made out of a pretzel”
  • Source timestamp: 49:12

• Pretzel Promotion Events

  • Summary: The county plans to distribute Tom Sturgis pretzels and host the Freeport Pretzel Company at Pretzel Fest on April 25th at 10 o’clock downtown Freeport on Chicago Avenue.
  • Evidence: “We will start to distribute Tom Sturgis pretzels right here in Freeport as well as having the Freeport Pretzel Company, which is a soft pretzel small business that is going to be opening and selling pretzels at Pretzel Fest and a lot of other festivals coming this summer. So please mark the Great Pretzel Bite along with Pretzel Fest on your calendars for April 25th. We’re going to all take a bite together at 10 o’clock downtown Freeport on Chicago Avenue.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:46

• Tourism Campaign Guide

  • Summary: The community guide is forthcoming, and the tourism campaign for 2026 is named Simply Stephenson County.
  • Evidence: “Also our community guide should, if I was a Benton woman I’d say it’s going to show up on Monday because I’m not going to be here and that’s usually when those big deliveries show up. But the community guide is forthcoming. That is the cover that we have for this year. Simply Stephenson County is also the name of our tourism campaign for 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:12

• Housing coalition efforts and focus areas

  • Summary: The partnership has been working with the NAACP and other organizations for over a year, distilling their work into three main focus areas: Housing Improvement, Housing Growth, and Homeowner-Tenant Education.
  • Evidence: “So the partnership has been participating for probably over a year. Participating for probably over a year with the NAACP which is leading this effort and other organizations on a housing coalition group. From some stakeholder engagement sessions that we had with the public last year, feedback we heard from that we really distilled the larger coalitions work into three main focus areas. Housing Improvement, Housing Growth, and Homeowner-Tenant Education.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:43

• Enterprise Zone efforts for housing growth

  • Summary: The partnership is focusing on housing growth by working with the City of Freeport to evaluate areas for inclusion in the Enterprise Zone, prioritizing areas with existing infrastructure like water, sewer, and roads.
  • Evidence: “Where the partnership is focusing its effort is in the housing growth. We see having housing units that are affordable and safe are key to having workers here in Economic Development, as well as providing jobs in the construction of those homes and units. So what we’re actively doing right now is working with the City of Freeport in evaluating what areas of the community should be added into the Enterprise Zone.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:26

• Benefits of the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone

  • Summary: The Enterprise Zone offers property tax abatement for three years at 100% of the investment level, waives sales tax on building materials, and waives the building permit fee within the city of Freeport.
  • Evidence: “What the enterprise zone will do is work with some property tax abatement as a benefit of the zone Three years at a hundred percent the level of that investment You don’t have to pay sales tax on the building materials and within the city of Freeport the building permit fee is waived So those are all three Benefits that come with the enterprise zone that help draw down that cost of infrastructure that cost of that investment”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:34

• Finance Committee Report: Manual Claims for Sheriff’s Department

  • Summary: The Finance committee reported on manual claims for the Sheriff’s Department totaling twenty eight thousand eight hundred twenty nine dollars and eighty cents.
  • Evidence: “the first one up is the approval of manual claims for the Sheriff’s Department there was two claims one for Motorola and the other one was training expenses and the total is twenty eight thousand eight hundred twenty nine dollars and eighty cents”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:24

• Public Property and Safety Committee Report

  • Summary: Mr. Bush reported no action items from his committee.
  • Evidence: “Mr. Bush, no action items, information on your committee, sir?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:12

• Public Property and Safety Committee Report

  • Summary: Mr. Bush reported that his committee had no action items.
  • Evidence: “Public Property and Safety, Mr. Bush, no action items, information on your committee, sir?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:12

• Court Services Report

  • Summary: Mr. Diddens reported that the Youth Diversion Fund received $10,000 and distributed equal amounts to six businesses: High Hope, Hope Wins, Ramp, Sounds of Good News, Voices, and Boys and Girls Cup.
  • Evidence: “I don’t have any action items but we did hand out ten thousand dollars for the youth diversion fund that we collected. We had six businesses that applied for that met the criteria for the for the grant. High Hope, Hope Wins, Ramp, Sounds of Good News, Voices, and that’s five there should be six. Which one? Boys and Girls Cup.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:28:41

• Nursing Center Report

  • Summary: Mrs. Baker reported that the facility census is 71, the annual survey was completed with POCs submitted, agency hours remained low at 250 for March, and an Easter egg hunt occurred on September 4th.
  • Evidence: “Census is 71. The facility completed their annual survey. The team has reviewed all the findings and the POCs were submitted and assisted by the regional team. Agency hours remain low of 250 hours for the month of March.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:49

• Planning and Development Permit Request

  • Summary: Mr. Fricke requested approval of a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization to use Black Hawk Park for their 100th anniversary celebration.
  • Evidence: “I do. I’m excited to ask for this approval of a temporary use permit for the Pearl City Historical Organization for the use of Black Hawk Park to celebrate their 100th year of being the organization of history for Pearl City and the area”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:29

Metrics

• National inflation rate (CPI)

  • Summary: Inflation was at 3.3 percent as measured by the consumer price index.
  • Evidence: “we see that inflation is at 3.3 percent and that’s as measured by the consumer price index”
  • Source timestamp: 37:15

• Consumer sentiment change

  • Summary: Consumer sentiment plunged 11 percent, reaching its lowest point since post World War II.
  • Evidence: “while consumer sentiment has plunged 11 percent. This is the lowest point since post World War II.”
  • Source timestamp: 37:15

• Unemployment numbers for January 2026

  • Summary: The presentation highlighted unemployment numbers for January of 2026 for Stephenson County as a whole and Freeport, city of Freeport.
  • Evidence: “Highlighted on the screen tonight is unemployment numbers for January of 2026, both for Stephenson County as a whole and Freeport, city of Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:43

• Job posting vs. job seeker count in Stephenson County

  • Summary: Over the last 12 months, there have been more unique job postings in Stephenson County than people looking for work.
  • Evidence: “we will have more unique job postings in Stephenson County than and then we do have, then we have people looking for work.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:01

• Median wages fluctuation (last 12 months)

  • Summary: Median wages fluctuated anywhere from the upper $27 per hour to $32.16 per hour in March of 2026.
  • Evidence: “oftentimes those median wages in the last 12 months have fluctuated anywhere from the upper 28, $27 per hour to in March of 2026 it was $32.16 per hour.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:32

• Median household income for Stephenson County

  • Summary: The median household income for Stephenson County is $64,000.
  • Evidence: “a median household income for Stephenson County is $64,000.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:46

• Workforce Goals

  • Summary: Shared goals established include stabilizing and growing the prime workforce age 25 to 44, reducing industrial turnover, increasing the working age population (25 to 44), expanding workforce training programs that could include apprenticeships, and reducing commuter leakage by 10%.
  • Evidence: “So we established some shared goals to stabilize and grow our prime workforce age 25 to 44. We want to reduce that industrial turnover, increase that working age population, that 25 to 44 age cohort, expand workforce training programs that could include apprenticeships… and we want to reduce that commuter leakage by 10%.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:07

Discussion

• Closing nominations for Vice Chair election

  • Summary: The vote to close the nominations resulted in 12 yes and one no.
  • Evidence: “All right, so the vote to close the nominations has 12 yes and one no.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:11

• Workforce Needs and Goals

  • Summary: The speaker stated that talent retention and recruitment requires addressing housing, childcare, and transportation alongside jobs to reinforce workforce strategies.
  • Evidence: “All of these problems and solutions are mutually reinforcing and they need to be worked on concurrently to reinforce our workforce talent recruitment and retention strategies.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:15

• Downtown Freeport Business Decline

  • Summary: A constituent questioned the plan to reverse the loss of business in Downtown Freeport.
  • Evidence: “Hi ladies. I just have a quick question. I’ve actually been getting some questions from some of my constituents about this. Downtown Freeport, we keep losing business. What is the plan that you have in place to turn that around?”
  • Source timestamp: 52:35

• Downtown Visioning Session

  • Summary: The county conducted a visioning session with downtown business owners and building owners regarding the future of downtown.
  • Evidence: “So one of the things that we are actively working on is there was a visioning session done with downtown business owners and building owners to talk about how to, what’s the vision that we have for downtown.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:50

• Downtown Freeport business revitalization plan

  • Summary: The city is working on a recast program based on visioning sessions with downtown business and building owners to support existing businesses and bring in small-scale manufacturing.
  • Evidence: “So one of the things that we are actively working on is there was a visioning session done with downtown business owners and building owners to talk about how to, what’s the vision that we have for downtown. So coming out of that we’re part of a recast program this year to work through that visioning and looking at how we can support existing businesses in downtown as well as bring in some small-scale manufacturing”
  • Source timestamp: 52:50

• Private investment projects in Freeport

  • Summary: There are eight different private investment projects, or possibly nine since the storm affected Steve Schlumpf’s building, and enterprise zone applications have been filed.
  • Evidence: “I know of eight different projects, probably nine since the storm affected Steve Schlumpf’s building. Unfortunately, eight different projects of private investment of buildings that have been recently purchased, enterprise zone applications that have been filed because there’s going to be investment being made.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:50

• Small business incubator development

  • Summary: The city applied for a grant to develop a small business incubator but did not receive it, so they are re-evaluating existing downtown spaces to determine feasibility and cash flow.
  • Evidence: “we had applied for a grant to develop a small business incubator. We did not get that grant so we’re going back to that business plan and looking at how we could still put together an incubator space without grant dollars so we are evaluating some existing spaces in downtown to see what would work and how it would cash flow.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:13

• Guidance on rental rates

  • Summary: The speaker stated they cannot directly answer questions about rent increases without specific examples but can provide market data (average price per square foot) to guide evaluating lease offers.
  • Evidence: “Okay. So without having specific examples, I probably can’t answer your question directly, but what I would say is oftentimes we’re asked by a business who might be evaluating spaces for lease. Again, we don’t act as a realtor, but we can look at data and say this is on average price per square foot and give them guidance in terms of this is what we’re seeing within the market.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:13

• Workforce needs consultation with businesses

  • Summary: The speaker confirmed that when meeting with business owners, they can include high school, teachers, education, and government agencies to discuss employee needs.
  • Evidence: “But my question is, when you are meeting with the business owners, do you include the high school, the teachers or the education and the government agencies to talk to them about what they need for employees?”
  • Source timestamp: 55:44

• Confidentiality of business development plans

  • Summary: The speaker treats information shared by businesses as confidential, reporting out only in aggregate regarding development plans.
  • Evidence: “Typically I will have a one-on-one meeting with the business and I will go to their place of business and I would treat any information that they share with me as confidential. And that’s why I would report out in aggregate if they have plans for development I look at it akin to somewhat of a pregnancy announcement if you will”
  • Source timestamp: 56:36

• Workforce alignment meeting attendees

  • Summary: Workforce alignment meetings geared towards manufacturers include representation from Highland, Freeport School District, City of Freeport, and HR or president plant managers of employers.
  • Evidence: “Also I would say in this workforce alignment meeting and other meetings we have geared towards specifically manufacturers, we do have everyone in the room. We have representation from Highland, Freeport School District, City of Freeport, as well as HR or president plant managers of those employers so that everybody’s in the room”
  • Source timestamp: 57:19

• Hotel count clarification

  • Summary: The speaker confirmed there are three hotels but noted that the number of available rooms varies greatly among them, making comparison data difficult.
  • Evidence: “Nicole, I think you said we have three hotels in town. When I reference three hotels that is, yes we have three more. However, what do I want to say, fluctuation in the number of rooms that are available or consistently available or ready for occupancy varies greatly in the other three so it’s really hard for me to give you comparison data using those other three hotels if that makes sense”
  • Source timestamp: 57:42

• Torn down homes in District B

  • Summary: Mr. Newton raised a question regarding many homes torn down in his district (District B) and possibly others.
  • Evidence: “And in my district, I’m going to say district B, and maybe others districts too, there are a lot of homes that have been torn down.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:23

• Hotel availability comparison

  • Summary: The speaker noted that the fluctuation in available or ready rooms across three other hotels made providing comparison data difficult.
  • Evidence: “However the, what do I want to say, fluctuation in the number of rooms that are available or consistently available or ready for occupancy varies greatly in the other three so it’s really hard for me to give you comparison data using those other three hotels if that makes sense because I couldn’t get a very it would be skewed okay”
  • Source timestamp: 57:42

• Super 8 hotel confirmation

  • Summary: The speaker confirmed the existence of a Super 8 hotel.
  • Evidence: “there’s a super eight there’s a super eight right yeah I was I was going to say, are you making a joke? I thought it was a holiday inn, one of those offshoots. Yes, it was. It’s a? Super 8. Super 8, okay.”
  • Source timestamp: 57:42

• Housing development in District B and other districts

  • Summary: A board member inquired about building on approximately 100 empty lots due to homes being torn down in their district (District B) and others.
  • Evidence: “And in my district, I’m going to say district B, and maybe others districts too, there are a lot of homes that have been torn down. And I’m sure that that adds to the misery of not having enough homes. Is there any discussion about building anything on the maybe 100 lots that are just empty?”
  • Source timestamp: 59:23

• Solar panel status update

  • Summary: The Chairman confirmed with Director Beth Williams that pictures of solar panels referenced in public comment were old and that all tests to repair or broken items at the field have been fixed.
  • Evidence: “I do want to make a quick comment, the solar panels that were referenced in the public comment have confirmed with Director Beth Williams that those pictures were quite old and any tests to repair or broken items are no longer out at this field and they all have been fixed.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:11

• Condolences

  • Summary: The Chairman offered condolences to an individual and their family for the loss of a father-in-law about a week prior.
  • Evidence: “I’d also like to express my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your father-in-law about a week ago or so.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:40

• Resolution establishing salary for County Treasurer/Clerk

  • Summary: Discussion regarding establishing salaries for the office of county treasurer and county clerk was held.
  • Evidence: “Yeah, we’re gonna have a discussion on the resolution establishing the salary for the office of county treasurer.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:22

• Salary Establishment Context

  • Summary: The board discussed that the resolutions are establishing the salary for the office, not the person.
  • Evidence: “Right, so we’re actually establishing the salary for the office, not the person, so.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:51

• Circuit Clerk Resolution Details

  • Summary: The circuit clerk’s resolution showed a 20% increase when put into effect, which was prior to the rest of the county reaching that percentage; previous resolutions had a 4% annual increase and paid 20% of premiums.
  • Evidence: “A note in there is that they were bumped up to 24 The circuit clerk’s resolution is in there showing that when her new resolution was put into effect, it was bringing it up to, you know, 20% of their insurance premiums, because this would have been back in 2022 prior to the rest of the county coming up to that percentage, the resolutions prior to that, they had a 4% increase year after year and were paying 20% of their premiums.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:18:09

• Board Opportunity for Input on Finance Matters

  • Summary: The board will give an opportunity to weigh in before finance review, as opposed to only having one opportunity in May.
  • Evidence: “So we’re doing it a little differently this year. It’s still going back to finance in May and we’ll still come back to the board for final approval in May, but giving the entire board an opportunity to weigh in prior to it going to finance as opposed to just having one opportunity per se in May.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:25

• State Mandate on Elected Officials Salaries

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding whether the state mandates salary levels for elected officials.
  • Evidence: “Does the state declare that we have to have our elected officials at any particular level? Not for these elected positions.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:01

• Salary Increase Basis

  • Summary: Confirmation was sought on whether the difference between 24% in 2024 and 2025 is only a cost of living increase.
  • Evidence: “and you’re saying that the difference between let’s say 24 year 2024 and 2025 was just nothing more than a cost of living increase, is that correct? In their current resolutions?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:01

• Salary Increase Basis Clarification

  • Summary: Confirmation was given that the increases were not necessarily to reach a specific level.
  • Evidence: “Yes, yeah. Okay, so we didn’t necessarily bump them up to get them to a level.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:01

• Circuit Clerk Resolution Timeline Comparison

  • Summary: The circuit clerk’s resolution was staggered by two years; the previous one covered 2020 through 2023, and the new one covers 24 through 27.
  • Evidence: “So for the circuit clerk, the previous one was 2020 through 2023. Right. The new one is 24 through 27, whereas the other two positions were 2018 through 2021.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:50

• Future Budget Planning Needs

  • Summary: A reminder was given about needing to consider the rest of the budget and supplementals for things like roads.
  • Evidence: “Well we’ve got to think about the rest of the budget that we’re going to be working on here in the middle of the year and then all the supplementals and all that other stuff that comes with it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:24:53

• Budget Policy for Non-Elected Employees

  • Summary: The next month will consider the budget policy for non-elected and non-union employees, referencing past increases of 4% and 3%.
  • Evidence: “next month we’ll also be considering the budget policy which will be for non-elected and non-union employees and what did we do the last few years four Four percent? Three.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:25:15

• Gas Price Impact on Sheriff’s Line Item

  • Summary: A question was asked if the sheriff had addressed potential impacts of rising gas prices on his line item.
  • Evidence: “Has the sheriff talked to anything about the gas prices going up and his line item and everything’s all right with his line item on the gas?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:25

• Gas Prices and Overweight Trucks

  • Summary: A discussion occurred regarding the sheriff monitoring gas prices and a specific incident involving overweight trucks on Kent Road.
  • Evidence: “Just one quick question. Has the sheriff talked to anything about the gas prices going up and his line item and everything’s going all right with his line item on the gas? Yes. Is he monitoring that close? That doesn’t look at like in the near future that prices might not go down the rest of the year a little bit so.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:25

• Overweight Truck Enforcement Plan

  • Summary: The sheriff is working on training the crime suppression unit to operate scales to prevent trucks from destroying roads due to overweight loads.
  • Evidence: “The good news is the sheriff reached out to the state police who does the training for that and they are willing to train the crime suppression unit to operate scales. The option or the, I’m sorry, the object is not to issue fines, it’s to make sure the trucks are not destroying the roads that are overweight.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:45

• Unspoken For Balance Funds Dispute

  • Summary: Mr. Bush inquired about a concerned individual regarding payment funding, noting the current unspoken for balance is $1,978.68.
  • Evidence: “Currently, the unspoken for balance is $1,978.68 in that fund.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:47

• Payment Settlement Strategy Discussion

  • Summary: The committee prioritized local vendors who offered settlements; a discussion ensued regarding making an exception for one person in the ‘prioritize next’ category.
  • Evidence: “the committee had decided to prioritize the local vendors that offered settlements. At that time she said she wanted to wait and get the full amount that was out to her okay after that the next round she is still in the category as prior prioritize next for payment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:48

• Oak tree blowover at monument

  • Summary: A large oak tree blew over at the monument, and liability was contacted regarding potential park closure.
  • Evidence: “One thing I will say, if you’ve checked your email this afternoon, a large oak tree did blow over out at the monument. We did contact liability.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:14

• Engineer contract extension

  • Summary: Mr. Newton stated that he asked the engineer to stay on for five years, but the engineer has not agreed.
  • Evidence: “No, I’ve asked the engineer to stay on for five years, but he has not agreed to that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:37:06

Public Comment

• Teresa Smith - Unpaid Invoices

  • Summary: Teresa Smith, a consulting dietitian, stated that several invoices totaling $8,450.52 remain unpaid, detailing delays and lack of payment due to various county circumstances between December 2024 and April.
  • Evidence: “My name is Teresa Smith. I’m a consulting dietitian with a nursing facility. I have provided dietary consulting services to the nursing center for over 25 years. I’m here tonight to make you aware that several of my invoices have not been paid, including one from as far back as December of 2024. The total for all of the invoices is $8,450.52.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:06

• Karen Rivers - Solar Site Issues (Solstice Renewable Energy)

  • Summary: Karen Rivers detailed discrepancies at a solar site built by Solstice Renewable Energy compared to approved plans, including incorrect panel orientation, size differences, and poor maintenance.
  • Evidence: “In 2018, Stevens County Board approved solstice renewable energy out of New Jersey to build a number of solar sites in the County. After six years, no After six years no information from anyone and no new ZBA hearing the site next door to me named Zimmerman North was built What was built is not what was approved approved was a 2 megawatt site with fixed south facing panels on a 10.23 acre Space within a 24 acre area built was a 2.58 Megawatt site with east-west rotating panels on 13 acres”
  • Source timestamp: 09:13

• Karen Rivers - Solar Site Maintenance and Inspection Request

  • Summary: Karen Rivers requested that the county require proper maintenance of the solar site and hire a certified inspector to correct issues.
  • Evidence: “I again request the site be required to be properly maintained. I also ask that the county hire a certified inspector to determine and correct the issues.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:52

• Solar site maintenance concerns

  • Summary: A speaker requested that a solar site be required to be properly maintained and asked the county to hire a certified inspector to correct issues.
  • Evidence: “I have here photos of the newest issues I just mentioned. A properly built and maintained solar site should not be falling apart. I again request the site be required to be properly maintained. I also ask that the county hire a certified inspector to determine and correct the issues.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:43

• Environmental uniqueness of Stephenson County (Driftless Area)

  • Summary: A speaker presented information about the environmental uniqueness of the Driftless area, mentioning whooping cranes and pasque flowers, and invited attendees to a movie on April 27th.
  • Evidence: “I’ve been here before to give public comment about the various environmental uniqueness to our county. County, whether it’s the the whooping cranes that pass through and very few others can boast or the the pasque flowers that grow every spring right across from our new animal control facility. Part of the reason I’m able to talk about those things is because we’re in the middle of a very unique area, the Driftless, and very very simply 12,000 years ago, a little plus, there was a big glacier around everything except us.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:10

• Downtown rent increases due to city spending

  • Summary: A constituent questioned if the city’s spending or grants for downtown improvements are causing rents to increase.
  • Evidence: “I’ve heard some complaints about the rents going up downtown. So I’m wondering, the city is spending a lot of money or grants to improve downtown. If that’s the reason why the rents are going up, are we kind of shooting ourselves in the foot.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:13

• Salary Comparison to Statewide Average

  • Summary: A comment was made that current salaries are well above the 2026 statewide salary and fringe benefit, indicating no one is underpaid.
  • Evidence: “I see that we are well above, you know, well, maybe $5,000 above the 2026 statewide salary and fringe benefit. So, it’s not like they’re being, none of them are being underpaid at this point.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:17

• Cost of Living Calculation Advice

  • Summary: Advice was given to use percentages rather than general cost of living terms and to reference the approved budget policy.
  • Evidence: “I would deal in percentages not necessarily what you may consider to be cost of living and also reference the budget policy that’s approved every year when you think of it in those terms, as opposed to just cost of living.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:42

• Valuing Positions vs. Individuals

  • Summary: A reminder was given to value the position rather than the individuals holding it.
  • Evidence: “And as Mr. Jogerst said keep in mind you’re valuing the position not the individuals that are within that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:05

• Concerns about Salary Inflation

  • Summary: A concern was raised regarding potential salary inflation, noting state regulation of salaries for other offices and cautioning against high raises given public complaints.
  • Evidence: “So my big concern is is over the years we’ve seen where the state regulates us to pay the state’s attorney a certain amount of Money, then the public defender and now the sheriff. I know there’s been bills in Springfield to set salaries for the rest of the elected, of county elected officials too, but they’ve been defeated down in Springfield. All I can say to the Finance Committee, slow down. We need to slow down here because these jobs could all get up over $100,000 a year.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:16

• Caution Regarding Salary Increases

  • Summary: A comment was made agreeing with concerns about cost of living and cautioning against unsustainable salary increases.
  • Evidence: “I do think that we need to take into consideration what the cost of living. Need to decide that first, right? The cost of living, if we’re saying that we’re giving them a cost of living increase, I don’t know.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:47

• Budgetary Sustainability Warning

  • Summary: A warning was issued about the risk of unsustainable spending leading to bankruptcy.
  • Evidence: “So I’m just again cautiously saying to the Finance Committee, please be careful with that. We don’t want to get too much too fast. We will go bankrupt.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:52

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Gift of a vehicle to Stephenson County animal control department

  • Summary: The speaker recognized the gift of a vehicle to the Stephenson County taxpayers and specifically to the animal control department from Delbert, employees, and the Baccarato group.
  • Evidence: “I’d like to recognize an extraordinary act of generosity. The gift of a vehicle to the Stephenson County taxpayers and more specifically to our animal control department… Delbert, your employees and yourself, a Baccarato group, the generosity that you’ve shown speaks volumes about the character of yourself and all of your employees.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:49

• Board members representing students

  • Summary: The Chairman thanked Mr. Bush and Mr. Newton for representing students in the county down in Springfield that week.
  • Evidence: “Okay ladies, Chairman’s report, Mr. Bush, Mr. Newton, thank you very much for representing students in the county down in Springfield this week, greatly appreciate your effort with that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:34

• Vice Chair appointment

  • Summary: The Chairman expressed appreciation to Cole Baker for agreeing to step up as Vice Chair of the Board.
  • Evidence: “And finally, I want to express my appreciation to Cole Baker, willing to step up as Vice Chair of the Board. I appreciate that very much.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:32

• National Economic Development and Tourism Week

  • Summary: The board considered an approval of proclamation declaring National Economic Development and Travel and Tourism Week of May 3rd in the year 2026.
  • Evidence: “The first is an approval of proclamation declaring national economic development national travel and tourism week of May 3rd in the night of 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:49

• Motorcycle Awareness Month

  • Summary: Scott Helms proclaimed May 2026 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in recognition of 39 years of ABATE of Illinois and over 352,318 registered motorcyclists statewide.
  • Evidence: “Therefore, I, Scott Helms, Chairman of the County of Stevenson in the great state of Illinois in recognition of 39 years of obeyed of Illinois and over 352,318 registered motorcyclists statewide and in recognition of the continued role Illinois serves as a leader in motorcycle Motorcycle Safety, Education, and Awareness, do hereby proclaim the month of May, this year, 2026, as Motorcycle Awareness Month.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:01

• National Day of Prayer

  • Summary: Scott Helms proclaimed Thursday, May 7th, 2026, as National Day of Prayer in Stephenson County.
  • Evidence: “Therefore, in recognition of Stephenson County’s need for inspiration, strength, guidance, and divine direction, I, Scott Helms, Chairman of the Stephenson County Board, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 7th, 2026, as National Day of Prayer in Stephenson County.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:22

• National Telecommunicators Week

  • Summary: The County of Stevenson, Illinois declared the week of April 12th through the 18th of 2026 to be National Telecommunicators Week in Stephenson County.
  • Evidence: “Therefore, be it resolved that the County of Stevenson, Illinois declares the week of April 12th through the 18th of 2026 to be National Telecommunicators Week here in Stephenson County in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:44

Follow-ups

• Enterprise Zone boundary amendment requests
  • Summary: The speaker anticipates returning later in the year to request approval to amend the boundaries of the Enterprise Zone to incorporate more areas of Freeport, and similar actions are occurring in Lena and German Valley.
  • Evidence: “Right, so what I would anticipate you’re gonna see me later on this year coming back to you as one of the participating units of government in the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone asking for your approval to amend the Boundaries of the Enterprise Zone to incorporate more areas of Freeport. We’re also doing the same thing in Lena, and I’ve just had a conversation with German Valley about the same.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:34