Committee of the Whole Meeting - Administration
Oct 1, 2026
The lede
- The committee approved claims totaling $1,062,342.32 with Karl Johnson abstaining from certain highway and construction-related payments.
- Budget presentations for fiscal year 2027 dominated the meeting, with several departments requesting salary increases to remain competitive with surrounding counties, particularly the State’s Attorney and Public Defender offices.
- The board advanced a rezoning request for three lots in Mallard Point subdivision to allow a combined 4.75-acre property for a private equestrian facility with attached residence.
- A preliminary plat for State Solar subdivision was approved subject to 11 conditions, advancing a solar project on the south side of Route 20 near the Winnebago County line.
Attendance & housekeeping
Present: Karl Johnson, Josh Shoemaker, Dave Cordray, Ryan Schneider, David Wily, Alisa Patterson, Tom Wahberg, Rodney Riley, Dana Logston, and Marian Thornberry.
Absent: Mr. Curry and Matt Reggano (both noted as not attending).
The committee approved the agenda and minutes from the August 6, 2026 executive session and September 3, 2026 meeting.
Decisions & votes
Claims approval ($1,062,342.32): Approved by roll call vote (10-0) with Karl Johnson abstaining from claims presented by William Charles, Northern Illinois Service Co., Core & Main, all Boone County Highway Department claims, and any county department claims regarding sewage, storm water, construction, and excavation.
Resolution 26-30 (IDOT transportation grant application): Approved by voice vote with no opposition. The resolution authorizes submittal of an application dated October 30, 2026 for a Public Transportation Capital Assistance Grant.
Resolution 26-31 (Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid): Approved by voice vote with no opposition. Authorizes participation in the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement.
Preliminary Plat PP-11-2026 (State Solar subdivision): Approved by voice vote with no opposition, subject to 11 conditions recommended by staff. The plat is for a solar project on the south side of Route 20 at the Winnebago County line. Tom Wahberg confirmed language issues and red-ink corrections would be addressed. Attorney Jim Hirs, representing the applicant, noted their engineer has been on vacation but they are working through the recommendations.
Rezoning case MA-09-2026 (Mallard Point subdivision): Approved by voice vote with no opposition. Rezones lots 19, 20, and 21 on Saddle Path Road from R-1 Single-Unit Dwelling to R-E Residential Exurban District for Tim and Alexa Nelac and Penny Adams. The 4.75-acre combined property will house a single-story residence attached to a tack house with stalls and small indoor arena for three to six horses. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval 5-0 and the Regional Planning Commission found it consistent with the comprehensive plan 3-0. Chairman Johnson expressed concern about future property owners and requested staff explore limiting horse numbers and waste management requirements based on best practices. Staff noted the R-E district permits private equestrian use on lots as small as two acres and nuisance ordinances would apply to excessive animal numbers.
Discussion items (no vote)
Change Order #32 (Courthouse project): Skipped; still under advisement from Scandroli Construction in the amount of $20,802.51.
FY 2027 Budget - Judges (Tom Jakeway presenting): The court budget eliminates a proposed $75,000 staff attorney position and reallocates funds to the legal service rotation line item, budgeting $200,000 (down from a $300,000 spike in FY 2025). Interpreter services show a $44,000 increase due to contracting costs after losing the full-time Spanish interpreter; some costs are state-reimbursable. The position remains budgeted in case hiring succeeds. An administrative assistant position increases from 20 to 30 hours temporarily to handle additional scheduling of contract interpreters.
FY 2027 Budget - Building (Drew presenting): A maintenance budget with a net decrease from last year. Salary increases and new line items for staff uniforms ($700 per attorney for statute books) and office equipment (aging bookshelves) are offset by decreases in vehicle maintenance (Enterprise truck paid off) and plumbing inspector contingency (reduced from $10,000 to $5,000 as Illinois currently provides free plumbing inspections).
FY 2027 Budget - Planning (Jesse presenting): Proposes a full-time environmental specialist position to replace the part-time water resource specialist, funded jointly by Planning, Highway, and GIS departments. Dan Kaine emphasized the importance of implementing the three-dimensional geologic mapping project and expanding the regional storm water management plan across five counties. A second initiative requests increasing the planner salary and changing the title to Planning and Zoning Administrator to reflect AICP credentials and align with the UDO; funded by new solar application fees (now $5,000 per megawatt up to $25,000 for community scale, $125,000 for utility scale). A capital request seeks $5,000 in matching funds for a ComEd Green Region grant (up to $10,000) for native plantings and education. Marian Thornberry strongly supported the environmental position given water table concerns and potential data center impacts.
FY 2027 Budget - Public Defender (Chris, interim public defender): A maintenance budget except for salaries. Requests an additional 2% beyond the standard increase to be competitive with Winnebago and McHenry counties. Currently down two attorneys and struggling to fill positions. The difference between a 3% and 5% increase is approximately $9,100, partially offset by $88,000 in state AOIC funding. Salary comparisons show the first assistant public defender earns $20,000-$50,000 less than McHenry and approximately $30,000 less than Winnebago. The felony assistant with 10 years’ experience also lags behind neighboring counties.
FY 2027 Budget - Probation (Amy Gallano): Two budgets presented. The Probation Services Fee fund (client-paid fees for counseling, incentives, travel, equipment) increases professional services by $10,000 due to rising service costs. The county fund (Fund 69) shows three increases: training and conference ($300 increase for pre-trial officer training and staff lunches), 4% salary increase for officers, and a larger increase for the administrative assistant to achieve parity with similar county positions and the 17th Judicial Circuit. The department has 10 employees: six grant-aided positions (100% state salary reimbursement), two salary subsidy positions ($12,000 reimbursement each), one county position, and the administrative assistant. Total state reimbursement budgeted at approximately $367,000.
FY 2027 Budget - Circuit Clerk (Pam Kadlec): Four funds presented. Circuit Clerk’s Office increases salaries per the 2024 union contract (50 cents plus 3% across the board), raising starting pay from $18.00 to $18.50 per hour. Office supplies increase $500 and postage increases $500. Currently has two openings among 15 positions; received 40 applications through Indeed. Document Storage fund maintains $15,000 salary transfer to general fund. Court Automation fund (not county-funded; comes from filing fees and fines) increases salary transfer from $5,000 to $10,000 and budget from $100,000 to $115,000 to account for variable AOIC technology grants ($50,000 this year). Maintenance and Child Support fund decreases salary transfer from $5,000 to $1,000 (fund balance only $4,000 as of September; funded by $36 annual fee to those paying child support through state disbursement unit). Total salary transfers for FY 2027: $29,000 (up from $25,000).
FY 2027 Budget - State’s Attorney (Trisha Smith): Maintenance budget except for salaries and a $700 increase for publications (statute books for additional attorney hired years ago). Automation and forfeited funds cover all technology needs. Collection fees bring in $8,000-$10,000 annually; due to an oversight, $84,000 accumulated and will transfer to general fund this year, then $8,000-$10,000 annually going forward. State reimburses approximately $43,000 for victim witness coordinator; county pays about $23,000 of Smith’s salary (rest state-funded). Requests 5% increase for six attorneys (versus 3% COLA) at a cost difference of $10,800. Three positions request larger increases (15-23%): first assistant, civil chief, and paralegal, based on salary comparisons with Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kendall counties and cities of Rockford and Belvidere. One felony position open since May with only one unqualified applicant. Recent attorney departures went to City of Rockford, McHenry County State’s Attorney, and State of Illinois. One attorney has another government job offer. Two senior attorneys close to retirement. Office is 25 felonies ahead of last year despite being down one person.
A separate initiative proposes a FOIA attorney position (not necessarily housed in State’s Attorney office) to be jointly funded with the City of Belvidere, addressing dramatic increases in FOIA requests and liability exposure. Aaron (from administration) noted he and Carla spend several hours on complex requests at a combined $90/hour rate, taking time from other duties. Each department has its own FOIA officer with training requirements. The county would pay half if pursued.
Courthouse roof: Chairman Johnson raised concerns about the aged roof on unremodeled courthouse sections potentially leaking into new construction. The board expressed support for bringing in a consultant for estimates on completing all roofing work. Skylight leaks have already occurred. No charges expected for estimates so far.
Public comment
No members of the public provided comment.
Notable moments
During the Mallard Point rezoning discussion, Chairman Johnson joked that the applicants “could have just kept voting the way you were voting” after slowing down the rapid approvals. Attorney Jim Hirs quipped he lives “on Boy Road” and joked about pitching horse manure “in Mr. Hershey’s yard” across the street on Saddle Path.
The Circuit Clerk announced her office would return money to the general fund this year, prompting the chairman to joke: “She’s going to tell us she found a boatload of money. All our troubles are done.”
When Dave Cordray suggested using a hammer and tape measure for the roof inspection, the chairman responded: “Unless you want to pull out your hammer and tape measure and threw all that stuff away.”
The chairman reminded the board: “Just because we might have some extra revenues or additional revenues, remember we don’t have to spend all this money… it’s not our money. It’s the people’s money.”
The meeting proceeded unusually quickly at the start, with the chairman remarking “We are buzzing through this. This is awesome” before Becky warned “it’s going to slow down.”