P40:[{"_51":52},"relatedArticles",[53,94,106,118,130,142],{"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":75,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":80,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":86,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},"mediaId",6164289,"mediaKeyId","5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de","parentId",5429116,"title","Boone County weighs higher fee, liability and contract term in Belvidere IT services IGA","audioSeconds",1851,"startMs",1041000,"endMs",2892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=1041&end=2892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_1041000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164289/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-weighs-higher-fee-liability-and-contract-term-in-Belvidere-IT-services-IGA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164289-2a1ab305fce955392ca8ce74b983ea0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=n0ixvTSVFvzWAmn0FhZAxGWwcU5mUvlseJM-3d3UdGxGobS~a~0GYZKxguS5sXBLu6xYFHw~AKS5MncJZgXlTOaEWMkCwiJI1PToFNO5mkTlr6QvoUSdP0lYiAJG9EvwCjyHnfRk7Xj3julhJfZxOgpmnwWKH2pB4SwJV56kH1uVyry0BnlFL4PneML9F2ikOt-ntSyTHxH304vKr7I7gf8ek40Eo4515fe-uTx0MSpISMzdW6xBywWXJB-eO6a4DhvekFtHdi9ohEfaB0HbyAyiszx--OpGOFd08ozySczMdfo5XYn1jHGk25dsWmxpmBLUhwu8XCiBX8E7xxaDzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-19T15:02:58.16Z","Boone County officials discussed proposed changes July 17 to the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that governs information technology services the county provides to the city of Belvidere, including a staff‑recommended flat annual fee of $120,000 and questions about liability and contract length.

County staff presented the proposed IGA amendment as a move away from paying for a percentage of an individual employee’s salary toward a single annual fee that captures salary and benefits plus behind‑the‑scenes services. \"So that's how we came up with the 120,000,\" said Becky Stoneman, who introduced the proposal and asked the board for input before taking the figure to the city.

Lieutenant Kevin Smythe, who described several years of discussions with county IT leadership, said the change would bring the city’s payment closer to what the county already charges other entities. \"This is really just bringing them in line with what we are charging other entities,\" Smythe said, noting the figure remains below some existing contracts the county holds. Smythe and staff described the $120,000 as intended to cover salary, benefits and other operating costs, and they said the figure includes pension and health insurance for the county employee assigned to city work.

Board members raised several concerns during the lengthy discussion. Several members said the proposed fee may be low given the county’s responsibility for data storage, off‑site backups, cybersecurity training and overall liability if the city suffers a breach. One board member said the city has historically been a high user of county IT services; others said existing ticketing and time‑tracking systems undercount actual usage because staff often respond by phone or email without creating a formal ticket.

Legal counsel Carla said the county reviewed the agreement’s form and had no objections to the contract language as presented, but members asked counsel about liability and indemnity. Board counsel observed that liability could arise in some hacking scenarios and that a hold‑harmless provision or a limitation‑of‑liability clause might be appropriate, but she warned the county could not necessarily expect the city to accept a hold‑harmless for actions taken by county employees.

Members urged modifications before finalizing the arrangement: shorten the contract term to two or three years for review, clarify whether pension and other long‑term liabilities are covered in the fee, and decide the effective date for the new payments. Several members said the new billing should begin in October rather than immediately, in part because the city already paid the May installment under the old contract. One board member asked county staff and Commissioner Josh Shoemaker to work together to gather more detailed cost data and provide a recommendation; Shoemaker said the $120,000 “is in the ballpark” but likely on the low end and asked to meet with staff for further analysis.

No formal vote was taken; the board indicated consensus that the new agreement should begin in October and asked staff to refine contract language, verify the fee covers pension and benefits, and return a draft for a final decision at the July 31 board meeting. Legal counsel and IT staff were asked to consider indemnity language and options to bill for significant incident response hours above an agreed threshold.

Background and other details mentioned in the discussion: the county currently provides on‑site and off‑site backups and uses a cybersecurity training platform (KnowBe4) purchased through a grant; some services and shared software are already billed on a cost‑share basis; ticketing undercounts informal support; and the county has an existing separate contract to provide IT support to its 9‑1‑1 board. Several commissioners recommended a short contract that can be revisited if actual costs or liability concerns change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County COTW-Finance 7/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Boone County officials discussed proposed changes July 17 to the intergovernmental IT services agreement with the city of Belvidere, including a staff‑recommended flat annual fee of $120,000, concerns about breach liability and a suggested October effective date.","taxTitle","Boone County, Illinois","taxId",57613,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_54":95,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":96,"_62":97,"_64":98,"_66":99,"_68":100,"_70":101,"_72":102,"_74":103,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":104,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":105,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},6164294,"County project team identifies more than $150,000 in value‑engineering deductions for health campus",290,736000,1026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=736&end=1026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6164294/Boone-County/Illinois/County-project-team-identifies-more-than-150000-in-valueengineering-deductions-for-health-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164294-abc9f67e6d97d0f755bb2cf9a38094ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=M39075O4A5cM3kyerDbQh~pLQxKgIEoJkl5JM2DJI~nP6pt1Swaa7RCsZDQ2oRbf3mRRoCctiibNIJSCaYelcwhywzhwOCrrF6VSEr2fwWAz4Sy-4QJ5kGpHnEi9Q3hCtF~o2XF11VXucoKOM5DmMzsT0aBVuukNgDXVsELGhRnCwkNvH0T1mPA0HaBXWveO6mw~VOlbU8kZU23mg9BlaVzu7GyRuBEBkyNDHnlg~qpoCKmQs0Iat520ZQWN4mJoxYhXDyQpQMQbObZCUCp82XNTMXiv1xGzhCsSycnlKdGVE-Jxx2KGk2mbWmkzlwZbIZ4cfFFfutnGc0~nstYchg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone County finance committee heard a presentation July 17 on value‑engineering deductions for the health department administrative campus that officials said will reduce the contract price by at least $150,000 and likely more than $200,000.

County project manager Randy Darnell of CCS told the committee the items in the packet “are the result of a comprehensive value engineering process by the project team resulting in over $200,000 of deductions to the contract.” He said many items are substitutions rather than deletions and that a few larger items (HVAC, electrical and one permitting item) still require technical review. \"What I can assure you is that the value of those deducts will not be less than 150,000 and likely north of $200,000,\" Darnell said.

The packet and discussion noted one additional option not included in the VE list: removing the building’s multipurpose room, which Darnell said would reduce cost by about $250,000 if the county chose that alternate. Board members clarified the multipurpose room was being left in the design for now and that accepting the $250,000 deduct for removing it would preclude taking certain other VE items (item 16 on the list).

Committee members repeatedly praised the team’s work to reduce cost. One member said the revised total with VE items brings the project to \"down right at 4,000,000 or just under 4,000,000,\" and members asked staff to finalize and present a firm reduced-contract figure to the accounting board. Darnell said staff and the architect will refine the list and provide a final number next week so the county will have a figure to vote on by the July 31 meeting.

There was no formal vote on the deductions during the finance meeting; staff said the next step is to finalize numbers, present them to the accounting board, and return to the county board for any approval required.

Background: presenters said the list of VE items does not include the multipurpose-room alternate and that the architect and engineers had not yet completed the technical review of some larger systems at the time of the briefing. Darnell and county staff committed to a final, itemized total for board consideration by the July 31 meeting.

The committee’s discussion focused on savings and sequencing; members asked for a final dollar amount and the project team said it would deliver that figure for a formal vote at the next board meeting.","Project team presented a list of value‑engineering (VE) deductions for the new health department administrative campus that officials expect will reduce the contract price by at least $150,000 and likely more than $200,000; removal of a multipurpose room remains an optional separate $250,000 deduct.",{"_54":107,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":108,"_62":109,"_64":110,"_66":111,"_68":112,"_70":113,"_72":114,"_74":115,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":116,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":117,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},6164271,"County ratifies July 1 COLA adjustments for state’s attorney, public defender and sheriff",177,3833000,4010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=3833&end=4010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_3833000.jpg","/articles/6164271/Boone-County/Illinois/County-ratifies-July-1-COLA-adjustments-for-states-attorney-public-defender-and-sheriff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164271-dc807e8dbfc7979237f8990f8b3f3c9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=NvLJZFEJmhyp~VcvANzXLXmpzurMhWu4U6SdZaMOApchdR9D5htoJYkdLaltSktZJcVmTs3kmLUFJkKGMtea6Ij2zDF96WwMDzgxHFPORe1xT-vr7z39CmKCrth5uYCDHjGWMZbmVt2LvhR98eCT4kdovk0hvWgSvqAohu17g3H5rWQTdSRQGiYpt1VLU2y5V8PPzqSE~EuifyaFd3Dg2E7D1KRRJWCus4LkOm1g-b0bRPuUXoZE46hM~sbyxWgu0NAOkHGVTEXTvtMuWxh5~fB1f7qMl8Y-VQbuO77~PrSbTngdeARWVrYGL5cRTw0zNX3ZrYeqMt7nuk0MAs6EIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone County finance committee approved three resolutions July 17 implementing cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA) effective July 1 for the state’s attorney, public defender and sheriff, consistent with applicable state statutes and pay formulas.

Miss Tobin explained the salary changes are governed by state law and reflected the statutory indexing used to calculate pay. \"These salaries are set by state statute,\" Tobin said, adding that the county’s fiscal exposure differs by office; for example, she told the committee the county is responsible for roughly $21,000 of the state’s attorney increase while the state covers the remainder.

The committee adopted Resolution 25‑23 adjusting the state’s attorney salary, Resolution 25‑24 adjusting the public defender salary (which is calculated as a percentage of the state’s attorney salary), and Resolution 25‑25 adjusting the sheriff salary (set at 80% of the state’s attorney salary under statute). Each resolution passed on voice vote with no recorded opposing votes noted during the meeting.

Staff provided a memo showing the county share of each adjustment and said the statutory framework determines how much of the cost is borne by the state and how much by the county. The board’s action was a procedural step to implement statutory salary changes effective July 1.","The finance committee approved three resolutions implementing July 1 cost‑of‑living adjustments for the state’s attorney, public defender and sheriff pay scales as required or structured under state statute; the county’s share of the state’s attorney increase was described as about $21,000.",{"_54":119,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":120,"_62":121,"_64":122,"_66":123,"_68":124,"_70":125,"_72":126,"_74":127,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":128,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":129,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},6164276,"Finance staff posts fiscal year 2024 draft audit; final report expected July 31",28,3638000,3666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=3638&end=3666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","/articles/6164276/Boone-County/Illinois/Finance-staff-posts-fiscal-year-2024-draft-audit-final-report-expected-July-31","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164276-205a01652ac542155d3ded2e3ddf26b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=S1A6B0-IxqU8CdZP~ibkqYs-UMRhAU8U3QZG68TLlDF3XRhiObkhxc5i24l08YkhNq4zOexoMCseYHQQ5ZIwgOpwLQke61C5bb4FKE2LEHnf7od7NpjxNloy3Y56Cy2oDsQ7XleXjgjnURhztO2LBbYSjGkurUxPB0DI399LAOkC9J5iDR3ixU-sLuYr-qegVK0ojThxFEuPDTkZxrP9yFo4NEanJVHus7piHgrJuJMkGj-WlDNHqd7moWhge4JPMw1bzlqLZxY2ayIVpw9nAvwobBF-I-nsLrDlNgHkGYWcm2PlCTxosrVzDzbwxMf9t439wk0vjwvsfWlvPPH-Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County staff told the finance committee July 17 that the draft fiscal year 2024 audit arrived that afternoon and staff will review it before presenting a final report to the county board on July 31.

\"I just got it this afternoon at about 03:00, and it is a draft, so I won't really go into anything,\" said Miss Tobin. She told the committee the draft was available online and that staff’s goal is to have the finalized audit ready for the July 31 county board meeting.

Committee members were advised the draft totals about 161 pages and that the finance office will examine the document for material items and other issues that may require note or correction before final adoption.

No formal action was taken; staff will return with the final audit at the next county board meeting.","The county received the draft FY2024 audit July 17; staff said it arrived late in the day, is 161 pages, and the finance office aims to present a final audit to the county board on July 31.",{"_54":131,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":132,"_62":133,"_64":134,"_66":135,"_68":136,"_70":137,"_72":138,"_74":139,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":140,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":141,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},6164280,"County approves test strip of rejuvenating treatment on Cherry Valley Road at roughly $51,533",449,3327000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=3327&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_3327000.jpg","/articles/6164280/Boone-County/Illinois/County-approves-test-strip-of-rejuvenating-treatment-on-Cherry-Valley-Road-at-roughly-51533","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164280-74e19ff725471dfb101828ab5433fea0/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=ShjD7Zeuuf8Is-FXS-lvZFUpPEDO9UCpzmaA3FjJ8n8xxa8A7cJ3K~3cDV7JY7YY-qfqNZaVtK2pAGOU2vtnQWkuRqwCj1I~Ak3x3CdicCB9Ig4W4~xO0WifF20qRmlhhWshnQ-CwfYDWEbXFxFONRfRMdcznN8MMzVlfX50Lmdj5b36xKfMfoKuscnHY8PJ12R5POCTsmUi7B07Lc6tNKzYQ1tucSW3RtrFNgtG0ceAzJTfUbo0YrbW5EBT~GduxMSLccimfRlPaQElRWuiVdNIWttQ0JIhDARXUwn-EwrLvGu0NqvgK1s06wYhOTHGNccNYctTu0PDBGftYRc4Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone County finance committee approved July 17 an application to use a pavement rejuvenator on one lane of Cherry Valley Road as a pilot test strip, at an estimated cost of $51,532.80.

Highway staffer Justin (on the line) described the treatment as a surface rejuvenator that restores oils lost to sun and weather, helping to rebind aggregate and extend the life of the pavement. \"The expected, additional life is, anywhere the research I saw is anywhere from 2 to 7 years,\" Justin said, and recommended a one‑lane test so the county can directly compare treated and untreated sections.

Staff said the bid was based on a unit price used by DeKalb County, and the low bidder agreed to apply the same unit price for the test strip in Boone County. The proposed treatment would be applied to a single lane over roughly six miles between the county boundary and Cherry Valley Road; staff emphasized the method is meant for roads that are structurally sound (no sub‑base failure) and will not repair potholes or structural defects.

Committee members asked about applicability to other roads and the contractor’s assessment process; staff said the product is a liquid surface treatment that does not fill cracks or address structural failures but may prolong surface life and delay resurfacing. The committee approved moving the application forward to the county board.

Staff said the pilot will provide comparative data over the coming years to determine cost‑effectiveness versus full resurfacing.","Highway staff recommended and the committee approved a one‑lane test application of a surface rejuvenator (rectalite) on six miles of Cherry Valley Road at an estimated cost of $51,532.80 to evaluate whether it extends pavement life and reduces resurfacing needs.",{"_54":143,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":144,"_62":145,"_64":146,"_66":147,"_68":148,"_70":149,"_72":150,"_74":151,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_33":152,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":153,"_87":88,"_89":90,"_91":88,"_92":77,"_93":77},6164284,"County approves five‑year lease with Marco Technology after staff says model and service meet needs",368,2922000,3290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de&start=2922&end=3290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429116-c79fb80f63f31a974ed675b00f3772de/thumbnail_2922000.jpg","/articles/6164284/Boone-County/Illinois/County-approves-fiveyear-lease-with-Marco-Technology-after-staff-says-model-and-service-meet-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164284-d932713be3fa020dc5fd36181eaa2a90/orig.mp4?Expires=1769810732&Signature=k~D~oPNrmILyrilbrXaBkIz1guIApM6XxOyWX-X9S~E7I-jMEO0Drlz~HDhY1eSd3ZawB7GAbDJZ7GKBvKTwuFWG7ZpGjMWR2VKVMQfsWIlEHjjqVyJKim1gP8pqZrZpjQdLuu7UGq7t-ipf5~8mELKm9VCGJ7x~76bzRpeeLHXTs-KcolwR86CQBNvNhydDcAk4u4eqvTLdbd7jT2tjXfCW6yWhtLzqDysDJthworl3o7Oe-~u93hHN7nMP-NwXdp-lxmJfzJBumhYiNEZs9V3bO6dIQW3cbGUUvcwPI2EbROfkADOUvGCn156XbCJe440KMrEaxBrbl8NAvjLitA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County’s finance committee voted July 17 to approve a five‑year, 60‑month lease for seven copiers from Marco Technology after staff told the committee Marco’s proposal offered lower overall monthly costs and acceptable equipment and support.

Aaron (county staff) summarized the procurement, saying the county solicited proposals from Marco and Gordon Flesch after existing contracts expired in May and that Marco’s proposal produced lower monthly outlays and reduced per‑print rates. \"You're looking at estimate $100 monthly savings with Marco,\" Aaron said, and he described the aggregate savings as roughly $700 per month plus lower per‑print costs.

Committee members asked about equipment performance and support. Aaron and staff said Marco proposed Sharp machines that matched the incumbent Canon models’ functionality and that staff had reviewed comparable units used in nearby jurisdictions. Board member Josh Shoemaker said he had used both Sharp and Canon and found them comparable; others highlighted customer service as the key differentiator. Becky Shobel (procurement/administration) said staff believed Marco would provide better customer service than the incumbent.

The contract includes an optional support‑desk add‑on; staff recommended not purchasing that option initially. The committee approved the five‑year lease by voice vote; no recorded opposing votes were indicated.

The lease covers seven machines placed across county offices, replacing expired contracts and aiming to reduce ongoing print and supply costs while improving response time for maintenance.","The finance committee approved a five‑year, 60‑month lease for seven copiers from Marco Technology, citing lower monthly costs and reported better customer service compared with the incumbent vendor; the board declined an add‑on support desk option for now."]

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