[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6210799,"mediaKeyId","3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e","parentId",3709964,"title","County board discusses Belvidere building‑permit fees; members press for intergovernmental solutions","audioSeconds",780,"startMs",4064000,"endMs",4844000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e&start=4064&end=4844","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e/thumbnail_4064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210799/Boone-County/Illinois/County-board-discusses-Belvidere-buildingpermit-fees-members-press-for-intergovernmental-solutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210799-57b4f97699721b311c18d8d76612ce9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773521429&Signature=bU7-U~ySep00FR0jrMm3R2blwETCRVQnkhoLv4xqlGVdws~pRHcZNG1trjKrG2rEgmm2TukPOmCrxruUvODhJaWJDmzhY8tr9dhuoARw727BiVHwlW2bUA5EBSQsAlihgMlXOjCuK6gflS5Vz6ULCyQUQ~RV8q8hrPidbHFtxOVioZJdCON9uaEV3TrKz-SZRim1NxV1B8sXDFOkTfBwNt~XkgP0L47uF8OFi8J3ILBHzL-ORmQrcZNIT6GKVjgHBnpVdt-O8fRrYdYkwe00b-w3ayrKzNAKBbGFnN~mYjzPcpHUJ0-OPuxi5M3c4XTPawJ1sLihm16NejPyC8Wq6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-08T08:08:01.653Z","article","Boone County board members discussed whether county building projects located inside the City of Belvidere should be subject to the city’s plan review and permit fees, and whether the county can pursue an intergovernmental agreement to perform its own reviews for county projects.

Becky Tobin, county staff, said some counties maintain agreements with municipalities so the county performs its own plan reviews and avoids municipal permit fees; she said the county’s State’s Attorney’s Office can investigate whether a similar arrangement is feasible for Boone County. \"If you wanted us to pursue that a little bit further, we could,\" Tobin told the committee.

Board members expressed frustration that the city charged permit fees for county projects that they view as county business. Marion Thornberry said historically there had been an understanding that the city would not charge the county for permits on county buildings. Others suggested the matter be pursued through the county chairman, the State’s Attorney’s Office and, if needed, direct discussions with Belvidere officials.

The county did not adopt a policy change at the meeting. Several members recommended staff investigate the legal options and whether recent permit fees might be recoverable; Tobin said some plan review work for the courthouse was already underway with the city and that immediate refunds, if any, were uncertain. Board members also discussed the option of direct, informal outreach at Belvidere council meetings and reestablishing an intergovernmental coordination body to discuss recurring cross‑jurisdictional issues.

No formal motion to change permitting procedures was made; Tobin and the State’s Attorney’s Office said they would research possible approaches and report back to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County COTW-Administration 6/5/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members debated whether county projects in the City of Belvidere should pay city plan‑review and permit fees, with several board members urging renewed intergovernmental coordination and the state's attorney’s office asked to explore options.","taxTitle","Boone County, Illinois","taxId",57613,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6210804,"County paves summer schedule; board approves bridge and rail‑underpass design agreements and a Safe Streets grant revision",1983,1997000,3980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e&start=1997&end=3980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e/thumbnail_1997000.jpg","/articles/6210804/Boone-County/Illinois/County-paves-summer-schedule-board-approves-bridge-and-railunderpass-design-agreements-and-a-Safe-Streets-grant-revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210804-014bc5abbbee6c3330fda3497979cd26/orig.mp4?Expires=1773521429&Signature=C8dUJq7ThBBCB0lyt10wHqd3gIGPYxLXr~7HOHMG7kZ0NXILE8af7ZMVT1Q1LgVopexHzP2ghpE~cMTt-58NKBrb9aHrRvAXq1DeC9IbS6nhT6fYyyNccHX7G4MMi9rw0A8q88jZa~y8G3NSNscf6RN9jOdgzw7AECSAzAxG3mSMLhBVlUKywGN2J9oJZj3Nfu6DtEIfJztT2mOpXG~slFhb8YRgDjh06rT0ljzj3-dsVfmhyAVbp67Z0gW56kuPsinmLTo23iepqg5bwfejMRKMpUlzPNtI~aMQ3iO3JXi6rDM8hi1JiCKmMBpYbkHIHb3m3bv-7~yW9lQf4hruEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Kron, Boone County highway engineer, told the Committee of the Whole the county has been carrying out an aggressive paving schedule and is moving into final surface work before shoulder and striping operations.

“We’re doing under a million dollars a week in paving,” Kron said, describing about 600 semi loads of asphalt delivered weekly. He said the crews planned to complete surface road work in June and move to shoulder aggregate and striping.

Board members asked about specific roads: Kron said Garden Prairie Road had been widened by 2.5 feet per side and that paving would likely occur late the following week or the week after. He said County Line Road work was not scheduled this year.

On formal actions, the board approved Resolution 25‑19 to use Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for a bridge/box culvert replacement on Stone Quarry Road near Graham Road; the engineer described the structure as budgeted and part of a multi‑phase design‑build effort with phases 2 and 3 to be bid in the coming months.

The committee also approved an engineering services agreement with Willett Hoffman & Associates for a Pool Road rail‑underpass replacement adjacent to the Canadian National Railroad; Kron said the current timber structure is narrow and single‑lane and that the project will widen the underpass to two lanes with improved horizontal alignment. He said the project is in cooperation with Florida Township and that federal rail and ICC funds are being pursued as major sources of grant funding.

Separately, the board approved a revised Safe Streets and Roads for All grant agreement (SS4A) to procure roadway safety signs and a crash attenuator truck; Kron said the federal grant covers $192,000 and the county’s cash match would be $10,000 with approximately $30,000 in in‑kind work for sign installation and truck modifications.

All motions passed by voice vote; Kron said he will continue to seek third‑party and grant funding for the rail project and return with final negotiated amounts as needed.","The highway engineer reported large paving volumes and near‑term resurfacing schedule; the board approved a motor‑fuel‑tax resolution for a Stone Quarry Road culvert, an engineering agreement for a Pool Road rail underpass redesign, and a revised Safe Streets for All grant agreement to buy safety equipment.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6210809,"Courthouse renovation advances; McKinley building nears rough‑inspection finish, security checkpoints added",236,1644000,1880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e&start=1644&end=1880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e/thumbnail_1644000.jpg","/articles/6210809/Boone-County/Illinois/Courthouse-renovation-advances-McKinley-building-nears-roughinspection-finish-security-checkpoints-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210809-cf66182fff1bbe94f0b212e4607b02b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773521429&Signature=SQM1i7hCdh9xYNdZvz~FGCSOuMJSHIactmJzLebGt~Cs5wzED3nrlbE2b91H8Ik6kg3~-n-FHNT5zQAaHlokcSCuTnntLeVW5EIqlNeozXcE7KpfttiGTz8dfTcAde-S88s5O5lCVFEZ5HZV6Bpzvhi~gD6CwftxHzvw5uSuBVtl0HwYviniPPJsMu4MM0QKHTKg3tkvBxJm3U-idGGvmhQ3Es6I0WHqbf4hyn9k4jtnwNzzktMAw~NxohMFIv3GnHZzPI-UrTtxPa34k~n8T8yyYHBLGbJRvoY0WMqdVzy2p2qm6RcVjD4PzPIhMiHndC5oDveITdZ~m70iCdQjJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County public‑safety staff updated the Committee of the Whole on construction progress at the McKinley building and the Boone County Courthouse, reporting near‑completion of rough inspections at McKinley and an active construction setup at the courthouse.

“Rough inspections are just about done,” Lieutenant Pat Malloy told the committee regarding McKinley; he said drywall is going up in portions of the building, the coroner’s office and health department areas are still awaiting final rough inspections, and the sheriff’s office rear gate now has swipe‑card access.

On courthouse work, Malloy said fencing now surrounds the structure and construction areas have been separated from public zones. He described a temporary public entrance moved to the back of the building with a heated, air‑conditioned vestibule that houses security equipment and two staff who screen visitors before they enter the courthouse. Malloy said construction activity began removing a recently installed front sidewalk and that crews aimed to start excavation the following week.

Malloy said the county has held biweekly coordination meetings with construction managers and agency users—judges, clerks, probation, state’s attorney and bailiffs—to minimize disruption; despite altered access, he reported that parking has not been a significant issue so far though some congestion is possible on busy days.

On McKinley’s rear garage, Malloy said the county was negotiating a variance related to a septic tank location and coordinating with the health department to resolve the plan. He described progress on exterior finishes, including rock veneer work at the front of the building.

No formal board action was taken; the briefing was informational and staff said they will continue coordination with construction contractors and agency partners.","Lieutenant Pat Malloy briefed the committee on McKinley and courthouse construction: McKinley is moving toward final inspections and the courthouse site has new fencing, a temporary heated screening vestibule and changed public entry points as work begins.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6210814,"Boone County approves lease and moving plan for Health Department; staff outlines farmers market, block party and walkability work",0,3007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e&start=3007&end=3007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6210814/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-approves-lease-and-moving-plan-for-Health-Department-staff-outlines-farmers-market-block-party-and-walkability-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210814-254f6535ac25e76d76992347bfc7a0d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773521429&Signature=NYSW139IMBLK2u1A2XEundfxDP7Jhr6w96P~Ca~jfoSmxSgYXsImG~W-QJrL5e~pNZtz19Ru2XYHPB5S12RmesSf1Hp2ADPO8pF3a4Rblh3OHH9gp~d72NwWdLEP132SmiQng7SljmsDtnebvL1NFrJmfJ03L0IjjxYQEOCmX2O5P5clEMOSjY0CZSEucTRntvjRlRoGhg2Kh8FCccF3jGnwucZbU8ZdBEOaeYHptwTwhXFC~zmAtrCgpMcckld-WqFZcSTGgSd-Peqx8u8aHKJ6qTlOyIhk697Ny3xIEZMmB-0X9WIoPGo7gHWoPQaXukZbCgQ2gPyN1VR2INMzPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County’s Committee of the Whole voted Thursday to expand a temporary lease at Midland Bank and to contract a moving company to relocate the Boone County Health Department during courthouse renovations, while the department described community outreach and public‑health work it plans this summer.

The board approved an amended lease that will increase monthly rent to $4,500 starting July 1, covering the existing 3,500 square feet the county has rented plus an additional suite across the hall; the Health Department board voted to pay the additional $1,500 per month for the extra suite, Becky Tobin, county staff, told the committee.

Tobin said Mac Relocations will perform the physical move; the county has been using the firm for related moves and expects some savings because Midland Bank already stores surplus furniture on an upper floor. The board approved a not‑to‑exceed moving proposal and the lease on voice votes without a roll‑call breakdown.

At the same meeting, Amanda Veil of the Boone County Health Department outlined several community initiatives. Veil said the department’s summer farmers market will move to a Belvidere Park District property for 2025 because the transportation center construction has displaced the department’s usual green‑space site; she said the market historically included about 30–35 vendors with attendance of roughly 200–250 people and that participating vendors must be certified to accept WIC agricultural vouchers.

Veil also described a June 14 community resource event at the YMCA featuring mobile health units, food trucks and hygiene product giveaways; she said the department is partnering with the YMCA and local organizations for the event. The department is conducting a walkability survey, coordinated with the Boone County Hunger Coalition and city/county planning staff, to audit pedestrian access to grocery stores such as Aldi and Fiesta Market and to inform future planning.

On public health surveillance, Veil told the board the county is in outbreak status for the four sexually transmitted infections the health department tracks—chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis—and that HIV rates have also risen since about 2021; she said outreach materials are provided in English and Spanish and language‑line services are available.

The lease and moving contracts were approved; the board did not take action on the department’s programmatic items other than to request flyers and additional information.","The county approved an amended lease at Midland Bank and a moving contract to house the Boone County Health Department during courthouse renovations; health department staff also described upcoming farmers market relocation, community resource block party and a walkability survey and highlighted rising rates of sexually transmitted infections.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6210818,"Boone County hears first look at 3‑D geologic mapping; watershed plans targeted for grant eligibility",1334,292000,1626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e&start=292&end=1626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3709964-1b3fbac4310c5d989f31db1e0bdd617e/thumbnail_292000.jpg","/articles/6210818/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-hears-first-look-at-3D-geologic-mapping-watershed-plans-targeted-for-grant-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210818-f7704c7037dbda15d332a06e40a40426/orig.mp4?Expires=1773521429&Signature=GHBR2pcsldCPNlGftT~2LDaC5u5Zvj27ynSa4tf0QTi9gRH~uuEGLDbFlOBL245QIUZk6503hUCw5gsD7ybPP5AoGwFeRbgD1SqGTne4bqSjyWlq31rNj3JgWacSANCek6Q4gV0IaZpjpNCwIMnfj8QouenhIcSqzYndT5ZUtHf6BckKGXh1qqsv~bPKGQv~PXxNfCgpKGabcblG0p3BgxCPk6qnRtz8psYy8QH8x9ShKNeq1YMCVTq-xqpQBGYy1Mbp3j4LCh15~03UfoUklIZ4XBR~mCz2Py4FYECUDFqNcFHi3Y4gNYFGRyQvs1d35xxLMHU86hj5seWCmr4-Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County officials on Thursday received an update on an ongoing three‑dimensional geologic mapping project and related watershed planning that staff said will help the county prioritize future water‑supply protection and competitive grant applications.

The mapping “is a layer between 60 and 70 meters below the ground surface,” Dan Kane, presenting for the county’s Water Resource Program, told the Committee of the Whole. Kane said the project will produce multiple stacked layers from the surface down to about 1,000 feet and that the Troy Bedrock Valley shows a likely pathway for groundwater recharge.

Kane said geophysics work will include seismic profiles—“they essentially send a sound signal through the ground and then they record the return signal”—and that three additional data wells will be drilled this summer with funding from the United States Geological Survey to complement the county’s investment.

Why it matters: Kane told the board that three‑dimensional and watershed data together form a risk‑management tool to protect water supplies and make the county more competitive for funding. He cited Section 319 water‑quality grants (federal funds passed through state EPA) and other federal, state and foundation sources as typical funding avenues that can favor projects with formal watershed plans.

The presenter said Beaver Creek and Upper Beaver Creek are the only watersheds in the county with existing watershed plans; those plans are about 120 pages and meet standards commonly required to secure grant funding. Kane said watershed planning typically takes 18 to 20 months and “opens the door for opportunity for funding from 319 grant programs and other federal and state sources.”

Board members asked whether Joliet’s connection to Lake Michigan water would relieve pressure on local aquifers. Kane responded that it “depends on how they distribute that water,” and that infrastructure costs and consumer fees would influence whether users shift away from local groundwater. Kane also warned that some deeper sandstone aquifers are showing a long‑term cone of depression and that, where saline water lies above or near freshwater, pumping can introduce water‑quality problems.

Kane framed the county work as preventative: better geologic and watershed information can help protect recharge areas and baseline stream flow, which he said is substantially supported by groundwater. He urged strategic prioritization of watershed planning to make the county’s limited resources and matching funds more efficient.

Board discussion ranged from grant mechanics to related public‑education topics such as recycling and lead contaminants raised by members during Q&A; Kane and other staff limited their remarks to the technical scope of mapping and watershed planning.

The county did not take formal action on the update; Kane said the project will continue and that the USGS‑funded borings are scheduled for June.","County water‑resources staff updated the Committee of the Whole on preliminary three‑dimensional geologic mapping, seismic profiling and additional USGS‑funded borings; staff said watershed plans will be prioritized to increase competitiveness for state and federal grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County board discusses Belvidere building‑permit fees; members press for intergovernmental solutions

County paves summer schedule; board approves bridge and rail‑underpass design agreements and a Safe Streets grant revision

Courthouse renovation advances; McKinley building nears rough‑inspection finish, security checkpoints added

Boone County approves lease and moving plan for Health Department; staff outlines farmers market, block party and walkability work

Boone County hears first look at 3‑D geologic mapping; watershed plans targeted for grant eligibility