Stephenson County Board approves budget amendment, contracts, appointments and leases; votes at a glance

At its meeting, the Stephenson County Board voted on a series of motions ranging from a budget amendment to contract approvals and appointments.

The board approved the following notable items: a resolution to amend the fiscal 2025 budget to add funds for the Stevenson Nursing Center HVAC project, payment agreements discussed in executive session with Infinity Rehab and Grape Tree Medical Staffing, a renewal of the CrowdStrike endpoint protection contract under a state/local discount, a lease agreement with the Office of State Pretrial Services, a $91,605.71 bad-debt write-off for the nursing center, the transfer of several county-owned parcels back to the city, and two reappointments to the Board of Health.

Votes and actions at a glance

- Approval of payment agreements (Infinity Rehab and Grape Tree Medical Staffing): Motion by Nicole Baker; second by Dale Diddens. The board approved the payment agreements; meeting record notes one recorded opposition and the motion carried.

- Budget amendment to reallocate funds for Stevenson Nursing Center HVAC (chapter 55 reference in motion): Tim Whelan moved the resolution to amend the fiscal 2025 budget pursuant to chapter 55 section 5/6-1003 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes to reallocate approximately $13,000 to finish the Stevenson Nursing Center HVAC project. Roll-call recorded 13 ayes, 1 nay (Jackie DeMeister). Motion carried.

- Zoning approvals (special-use requests recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals): the board approved a special use to legalize an existing motorcycle repair and restoration business at 212 Sunset Drive, Orangeville (ZBA recommended 4–0), and approved a special use to allow a single-family dwelling in the Ag District at 14649 West Hershey Road, Pearl City (ZBA recommended 4–0). Both motions carried on voice votes.

- Transfer of county-owned properties to the city: the board approved a resolution transferring three identified county-owned parcels (Charles Street, Mary Street, and East Stephenson Street) back to the city; motion carried on voice vote.

- Enterprise-zone expansion for Savencia: motion moved by Steve Frick and seconded by Tim Whelan to add three Savencia-owned parcels to the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone. The board approved the expansion with one recorded opposition.

- CrowdStrike renewal under state/local program: the board approved renewing the CrowdStrike contract under a state program that the IT manager said will save about $45,000 per year. Motion carried; meeting notes one recorded opposition.

- Lease agreement with Office of the State Pretrial Services (OSPS): court services reported a lease agreement (name change and rent payment) for space used by the state; board approved the lease on voice vote.

- Bad-debt write-off for Stevenson Nursing Center (Matrix): board approved writing off $91,605.71 in prior-year bad debt from Matrix billing. Motion carried with one recorded opposition.

- Board of Health reappointments: Siobhan Savela and Dr. Robert Geller were reappointed; motion carried with one recorded opposition.

Process notes and follow-ups

- Several items (payment agreements) were discussed in executive session and brought back for a public vote; the meeting minutes say no action was taken during executive session.

- Where roll calls were recorded, individual votes are included in the record (see structured action entries below). Where the meeting recorded only "1 in opposition," the record did not name the opposing member; the article reflects what the meeting transcript states and does not attribute those "one" opposition votes to a specific member when the transcript did not.

The board adjourned after approving a date change for the May meeting (from May 15 to May 13) and other routine business.