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LaSalle County Board approves zoning permits, contracts, budget amendments and courthouse generator; reappoints county engineer
Summary
The LaSalle County Board on June 9 approved two zoning special‑use permits, authorized several county contracts and budget moves — including a $157,500 appropriation toward the county engineer salary — and authorized the county chairman to seek permits or legal approval to install a backup generator at the Downtown Ottawa Courthouse.
The LaSalle County Board approved multiple resolutions, zoning petitions and budget actions at its June 9 meeting in Ottawa, including two zoning special‑use permits and authorizations to pursue installation of a backup generator at the Downtown Ottawa Courthouse. The board also approved a six‑year reappointment of the county engineer and several contract and budget actions.
Votes at a glance
- Petition 25‑11 — Special use to operate a guest accommodation (short‑term rental) at 1982 East 1050th Road, Tonica (Pin 26‑26‑200‑000). Motion to approve by Mr. Gadsa; second by Mr. Bailey. Outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Petition 25‑12 — Special use to install a meteorological test tower at 2520 East Twentieth Road, Marseilles (Pins 23‑28‑104‑000 and 23‑28‑300‑000). Motion to approve by Mr. Stockley; second not specified in the record. Outcome: approved (motion carried). The petitioner told the Zoning Board the tower would be operated roughly a year to gather wind data.
- Resolution 25‑19 — Appropriation for payment of the county engineer’s salary: $157,500 from county MFT funds for 01/01/2025–12/31/2025; authorizes transfer of $78,750 in federal Surface Transportation Program funds to IDOT in return for state funds. Motion to approve by Mr. Gadsa; second by Mr. Miller. Outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Resolution 25‑20 — Reappointment of Donald Earnuth (Donald Ernet/Donald Ernet listed in text) as county engineer for a six‑year term beginning 08/19/2025. Motion to approve by Mr. Templeton; second by Mr. Roach. Vote recorded in the meeting: 19 yes, 7 no; motion carried.
- Termination of agreement with Industrial Appraisal Company (agreement dated 03/01/2018). Motion to approve amended resolution by Mr. Small; second by Ms. Bush. Outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Contract award — Window replacement trial area at LaSalle County Governmental Complex (707 E. Etna Road): awarded to The Glass Shop as lowest responsive bidder in amount $77,000. Motion to approve by Mr. Torres; second by Mr. Miller. Outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Resolution to pursue permits/legal approval to install a backup electrical generator at the Downtown Ottawa Courthouse (119 W. Madison St.). Motion to approve by Mr. Savage; second by Mr. Small. Outcome: approved (motion carried). The resolution authorizes the county board chairman to work with the City of Ottawa to obtain necessary permits or seek legal approval; the text says expenditures or additional legal work would be brought back to the board for approval.
- Budget amendment / transfer — Coroner transport vehicle upfit and related equipment, total project cost stated in meeting as $83,021.90; sponsor said the purchase would produce a three‑year payback in reduced outside costs. Motion to approve (mover/second noted in meeting). Vote recorded in the meeting: 22 ayes, 4 nays; motion carried.
Other procedural approvals
- Quarterly mileage and per diem: approved (motion carried). - Previous meeting minutes: approved (motion carried). - American Rescue Plan bills: approved (motion carried). - 2024 LaSalle County financial audit: placed on file/approved (motion carried). - Several remote attendance requests were approved pursuant to board resolution 23‑53 for members citing illness or other covered reasons.
Executive session
The board then voted to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c) to discuss collective bargaining and salary‑schedule matters.
Why it matters: The reappointment of the county engineer and the appropriation for the engineer’s salary affect county highway and infrastructure oversight. The courthouse generator effort addresses repeated power outages that the county says have interrupted court functions. The zoning approvals allow two land‑use changes — a short‑term rental and a meteorological tower that is a preliminary step for a small community wind project.
Ending: Most items passed by roll call. Several measures were routine/administrative; the generator authorization opens a process of permits and potential legal steps with the City of Ottawa, and the county chair was directed to pursue approvals and report back to the board.
