Committee of the Whole Meeting - Finance
Jul 9, 2026
The lede
- Highway paving and bridge work ramping up: Roadway striping completed; paving starts July 10 on Irene Road and Shaw Road subdivisions; multiple bridge projects underway with North Brun School bridge opening in early August.
- Three bridge replacement engineering approved: Willett Hofmann Associates selected for phase I & II design work on Squaw Prairie, Marengo, and Lawrenceville Road bridges, 100% funded by federal RTA grant (~$500,000-$600,000).
- Three advisory referendum questions advancing: Questions on property tax relief, solar energy local control, and school administrative spending limits will be considered for November general election ballot.
- High-voltage transmission line study underway: ComEd proposing 190-mile, 765 KV transmission line through northern Illinois; Boone County among 16 counties being studied, with quick turnaround response requested by August 1.
- Annual salary COLAs approved: State-mandated cost-of-living adjustments for State’s Attorney, Public Defender, and Sheriff effective July 1, 2026.
Attendance & housekeeping
Present: Riley (Chair), Schneider, Wily, Cordray, Schumacher, Patterson, Regano, Thornberry
Absent: Carl Johnson, Ryan Curry
Remote: Tom Wahlberg, Dana Logston (approved by motion)
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM. Minutes approved for April 9, May 14, and June 11, 2026 COTW-Finance meetings and May 14 executive session. Agenda approved as presented.
Decisions & votes
MOU with Landfill #2 Solar Project (item 8.01): Motion carried unanimously. Belvidere East will reimburse county $43,327 for berm remediation between solar panels and shooting range; county covering feeder damage separately.
Willett Hofmann Associates engineering contract (item 8.02): Motion carried unanimously. QBS-selected firm will perform phase I and II consulting for three-bridge bundle (Squaw Prairie, Marengo, Lawrenceville Road) over Piscasaw Creek. 100% covered by federal Rural Tribal Assistance grant (~$500,000-$600,000). Willett Hofmann scored highest among submitted qualifications.
Hunter Road culvert extension project (item 8.03): Motion carried unanimously. Awarded to low bidder O’Brien Civil Works Inc. for $216,530 (under estimate). Funded through Motor Fuel Tax. O’Brien previously performed similar work satisfactorily on Wheeler Road ~6-7 years ago.
Resolution 26-19 (State’s Attorney COLA) (item 8.05): Motion carried unanimously. State-mandated salary adjustment effective July 1, 2026.
Resolution 26-20 (Public Defender COLA) (item 8.06): Motion carried unanimously. State-mandated salary adjustment effective July 1, 2026.
Resolution 26-21 (Sheriff COLA) (item 8.07): Motion carried unanimously. State-mandated salary adjustment effective July 1, 2026.
Discussion items (no vote)
Advisory referendum questions (item 8.04): Three proposed questions for November general election ballot discussed: (1) property tax relief, (2) solar energy local control, and (3) school administrative spending limits. Wahlberg explained these originated from request by Senator Dave Syverson to position county’s stance for state legislators. Board approval needed this month to meet August deadline for ballot placement. Member Wily raised concern that school administrative spending question could shift funding responsibility from local taxpayers to state, creating potential control issues, but indicated he’d vote yes to place it on ballot. Chair Riley expressed wish to also include question about counties seceding from Cook County governance, though acknowledged it’s unlikely to happen. Items will advance to full County Board for formal vote.
ComEd 765 KV transmission line study (item 11.01): Staff reported ComEd hired Burns McDonnell to study 190-mile high-voltage transmission line from northern Illinois to Grundy County, potentially affecting 16 counties including Boone. County received request for information on land use, water quality, soils, wildlife, and socioeconomics with August 1 deadline—very short turnaround. Staff attempting to coordinate collaborative response from planning, highway, soil & water conservation, extension office, and other departments. Concern raised that wherever line goes, it will attract additional development (solar farms seeking power access). Staff noted county’s recent investments in 3D groundwater study, comprehensive plan, and new UDO will strengthen response. No reply yet from project contacts despite follow-up emails.
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
Chair’s agenda mishap: Chair Riley initially skipped Highway Department monthly report (item 7), jumping straight to new business. Board member Schumacher called point of order to correct the oversight; Riley apologized and returned to proper order.
Budget timing during fair: Administrator noted all departmental budget worksheets distributed afternoon of July 9 with August 14 deadline—during the county fair—though most departments typically submit earlier than deadline anyway.
Property tax revenue: Treasurer Newport reported distributing over $7 million in property tax revenue in recent months and purchasing $3 million in CDs. Interest rates holding strong with greater likelihood of increases than decreases by year-end. Office running short-staffed as chief deputy recovering from broken shoulder and working from home.
Maple Crest sale proceeds: Administrator confirmed Maple Crest property sold with all arrears paid off as condition of sale; proceeds deposited to general fund, eliminating future rental income line item that will need addressing during budget process.