Boone County Board Meeting
Apr 16, 2026
The lede
- Solar project failed on tie vote, reconsidered and approved: A 5-megawatt solar facility at 114xx US Route 20 initially failed 5-5, but after procedural motions was reconsidered and passed 6-4.
- Six surplus properties approved for sale: Board authorized sale of six tax-delinquent properties acquired through the trustee program.
- Board per diem and chairman salary increased: After debate about timing and fiscal responsibility, the board voted 6-4 to raise per diem from $65 to $80 and adjust committee chair compensation.
- Health department fee ordinance postponed: Discussion on updated health department fees moved to May finance committee for further review and possible phasing-in over multiple years.
- Major road contracts approved: Hunter Road earthwork contract ($1.9M to William Charles) and countywide road resurfacing ($2.3M to Rock Road) both approved.
Attendance & housekeeping
Present in person: Karl Johnson (absent; Vice-Chair Rodney Riley presiding), Josh Shumaker, Dave Cordray, Brian Schneider, Dave Wiltse, Alisa Patterson, Tom Walberg, Matt Ragano, Marion Thornberry
Present remotely: Dana Logsdon, Ryan Curry (both approved for remote participation)
Also present: County staff including Becky (Administration), Jesse (Planning), Trisha Toebin (State’s Attorney), Michelle (IT), Amanda Neils (Health Department), and representatives from Region One Planning Council, SunVest Solar, and CASA
Meeting started at 6:30 p.m. with Pledge of Allegiance and invocation.
Decisions & votes
Resolution 26-06 - Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month (Voice vote)
Proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Motion by Wiltse, second by Shumaker. Passed unanimously.
Six surplus property sales - Resolutions 26-09 through 26-14 (Roll call votes)
Approved sale of properties at: 120 Brandywine Dr SE, 305 Lamplighter Loop SE, 114 Liverpool Dr SE, 117 Chatham Ct SW, 604 Marquette Dr SW, and 609 Constitution Dr SW. All properties acquired through tax trustee program. All passed with near-unanimous support.
Hunter Road earthwork contract (Roll call, Item 10.1)
Approved $1,905,140 contract to low bidder William Charles. Chairman Riley abstained due to conflict of interest. Passed unanimously among voting members.
Countywide HMA road resurfacing contract (Roll call, Item 10.2)
Approved $2,314,966.02 contract to Rock Road for countywide resurfacing. Riley abstained. Passed unanimously among voting members.
Ordinance 26-15 - Map Amendment for 15xx Spring Creek Road (Roll call, Item 10.3)
Rezoned approximately 5 acres from A-1 to RE (Rural Estate) to allow construction of single-family residence. Property owner building two homes on 40+ acre parcel (one for family, one for parents). ZBA recommended 5-0, RPC found consistent 3-0. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance 26-16 - Solar Special Use Permit at 114xx US Route 20 (Roll call, Item 10.4)
Initial vote failed 5-5 (Yes: Patterson, Walberg, Riley, Shumaker, Cordray; No: Schneider, Curry, Ragano, Logsdon, Wiltse). After procedural motions including Wiltse changing vote to “no” to enable reconsideration, motion passed 6-4 on revote (Yes: Cordray, Patterson, Walberg, Logsdon, Shumaker, Riley; No: Schneider, Curry, Ragano, Wiltse). SunVest Solar 5-megawatt AC ground-mounted solar facility. ZBA recommended approval 5-0 with 18 conditions including enhanced landscaping on north side addressing neighbor concerns. Applicant Bill French confirmed plan meets/exceeds ordinance requirements.
Ordinance 26-08 - Planning Department Fees (Voice vote, Item 10.5)
Updated planning fee schedule. Passed without opposition.
Ordinance 26-09 - Building Department Fees (Voice vote, Item 10.6)
Updated building fee schedule. Passed without opposition.
Veterinary Services Agreement - Dr. Erin Wing (Roll call, Item 10.7)
Approved agreement for Animal Services veterinary services. Passed unanimously.
2026 Brownfield Environmental Work Agreement (Roll call, Item 10.8)
Approved professional services agreement for Landfill #2. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance 26-17 - City-County Coordinating Committee (Voice vote, Item 10.9)
Reestablished coordinating committee between county and municipalities. Riley noted this is “long overdue” and will be productive. Number of appointees left to discretion of chairman and mayor. Passed without opposition.
Claims totaling $1,184,530.86 (Roll call, Item 11.1)
Approved with Chairman Johnson’s standard abstentions for William Charles, Northern Illinois Service Co., Core & Main, Highway Department, and construction-related claims. Passed unanimously among voting members.
Ordinance 26-11 - County Clerk/Recorder and Treasurer Salaries (Roll call, Item 11.2)
Set salaries for elected officials. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance 26-10 through Resolution 26-08 and Special Warranty - Public Transportation Grant Items (Roll call, Items 11.3-11.5)
Required annual filings for Section 5311 downstate transportation grants. All three items passed unanimously. (Wiltse briefly stepped out during one vote.)
Purchase of Service Agreement - Senior Connections (Roll call, Item 11.6)
Approved transportation operations agreement for state fiscal year 2027. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance 26-12 - Septic Code Update (Voice vote, Item 11.7)
Health Department septic code revisions. Amanda Neils available for questions; none raised. Passed without opposition.
Ordinance 26-13 - Health Department Fees (Item 11.8)
Motion by Walberg to postpone to May 14 finance committee. Walberg indicated board members requested more time to analyze information. Wiltse clarified he’s not seeking more data, just time to understand existing information; mentioned possibility of phasing in fees over 2-3 years and restructuring fee calculation based on difficulty/square footage. Amanda Neils reportedly receptive to postponement and multi-year approach. Motion to postpone passed without opposition.
Employee Health Insurance Plan (Roll call, Item 11.9)
Approved Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance 26-14 - County Board Per Diem and Chairman Salary (Roll call, Item 11.10)
Increased per diem from $65 to $80; established compensation for committee chairs. Passed 6-4 (Yes: Wiltse, Curry, Patterson, Walberg, Shumaker, Cordray; No: Riley, Schneider, Ragano, Logsdon).
Notable discussion: Riley opposed, citing wrong time to ask taxpayers for more money when county has low starting salaries for employees; urged passing savings to employees with upcoming contract negotiations. Wiltse supported, noting $65 from 1998/2000 would need to be $131.68 today to match 102.6% inflation over 28 years; called current rate “inappropriate” and warned kicking can down road makes future adjustments harder; emphasized minimal budget impact. Curry agreed with both perspectives but supported increase to attract “quality” candidates who are prepared, intelligent, passionate, and well-read; noted significant time commitment especially for chairs. Patterson initially opposed but changed to support, emphasizing board members retain option to decline compensation if they choose. Motion carried.
Discussion items (no vote)
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): Lisa Turbyville spoke about CASA volunteer experience advocating for abused/neglected children in court system. Boone County has 25 CASAs serving 58 children so far in 2026. CASA thanked board for new facility in remodeled courthouse.
Council on Aging/Senior Connections (Patterson): Major fundraiser golf outing scheduled May 15; foursomes and sponsorships still available.
Growth Dimensions (Pam, remote): Site visit with manufacturing company considering Illinois vs. Indiana for $170M investment, 91 highly-skilled jobs, evaluating two Boone County sites. Rush Power Systems approved by Belvidere for relocation to Irene/Hockey Roads ($3M investment, workforce doubling expected). Working to match businesses with existing commercial/warehouse space. New retail including Zaxby’s (former Taco Bell) and Wingstop (near Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins). Food manufacturer webinar hosted in Belvidere. Economic Development Week May 4-8 will feature educational webinar series explaining economic development process.
Region One Planning Council - Trustee Program (Eric Setter, Michael Dunn): Fiscal 2026 showing deficit due to upfront legal costs ($34K) before property acquisitions/sales. Multiple surplus property sales on agenda will improve bottom line. Addressed title insurance crisis: Tyler v. Hennepin County Supreme Court decision caused two major title companies to refuse insuring tax-deed properties starting January 2026. Illinois has not yet passed state-level resolution (expected spring session). R1PC negotiated agreement to offer title insurance for $1,300 fee—county can decide whether to require or offer as option. Illinois legislative changes expected to minimally impact Boone County’s program (already follows best practices) but may require additional publication formality. Discussion of cost-saving option to hold tax certificates without going to deed on every property. 33 current trustee properties (22 in Candlewick Lake); 22 parcels soon to be acquired (17-18 in Candlewick). Working with Candlewick board on potential land bank transfer with development restrictions; may use state funding to incentive new residential construction. No R1PC funding taken from program; agency floating negative costs. Contract may expire end of fiscal year (October/November).
New board software training: Staff reminded board members to schedule training with Michelle on new Granicus software before May 7 administration meeting or they won’t be able to access BoardDocs. Training takes approximately 30 minutes, can be done in-person or remotely, with after-5:30 sessions available.
Public comment
No public comment slips submitted. No speakers.
Notable moments
Procedural drama on solar vote: The solar project vote (Item 10.4) became complicated when initial 5-5 tie failed the motion. Wiltse requested “leave of the body” to change his vote from yes to no to position himself on prevailing side for potential reconsideration motion. Riley then changed his vote from no to yes, saying applicants had done what was needed and apologizing for “misspeaking.” After consultation with State’s Attorney Toebin on proper procedure, board approved Wiltse’s vote change, then voted on Wiltse’s motion to reconsider, then re-voted on the underlying motion—which passed 6-4. Vice-Chair Riley acknowledged being “quizzed on my Roberts [Rules]” during the multi-step process.
Per diem debate reflects broader compensation philosophy: The debate over board compensation (Item 11.10) revealed tension between fiscal restraint toward taxpayers and ensuring quality governance. Riley’s argument emphasized county employees’ low starting salaries and upcoming contract negotiations. Wiltse presented detailed inflation calculations showing $65 per diem has lost over 50% of its value since 1998-2000. Curry emphasized time commitment and need to attract qualified candidates. Patterson’s position—initially opposed, then supporting with caveat that members can decline payment—offered middle ground. The 6-4 vote showed board divided but majority favoring modest increase after decades without adjustment.
Health department fees require more work: Postponement of health department fee ordinance (Item 11.8) came after Walberg sent detailed email to Amanda Neils. Curry objected to not being included as health department liaison and questioned why health department faced scrutiny not applied to other departments. Wiltse clarified he wasn’t requesting more data, suggesting phasing and restructuring fee calculations based on complexity/square footage. Tension suggests ongoing negotiations needed before May 14 finance committee meeting.
Title insurance crisis affecting property sales statewide: Region One Planning Council’s report highlighted how Tyler v. Hennepin County Supreme Court decision created January 2026 crisis when major title companies stopped insuring tax-deed properties across Illinois. R1PC’s negotiated $1,300 title insurance solution and expectation of state legislative fix demonstrated proactive problem-solving, though uncertainty remains about requirement vs. option for buyers.
Special Recognition Week: Riley reminded board of National Telecommunicators Week (through weekend), encouraging members to visit 911 center with “bag of cookies or something” to recognize dispatchers’ hard work.
Scheduled meetings: Administration Committee May 7, 6 p.m.; Finance Committee May 14, 6 p.m.; Full Board May 21, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:47 p.m.