DeKalb County Council advances 2026 budget work session, approves airport budget on first reading and several transfers; tables animal-control pay decision

The DeKalb County Council on Sept. 3 approved several budget transfers and two additional appropriations and gave first reading approval to the airport budget, while tabling a contested salary classification for a part‑time animal control officer until the sheriff can appear.

Council members approved two additional appropriations from the Highway fund to cover insurance and utilities: $13,700 for liability insurance and approximately $10,000 for natural gas and utility costs tied to the department’s new campus. Council discussion noted rising utility invoices and a NIPSCO proposal to raise certain rates by about 17 percent next year; council members said they will monitor invoices and budget lines for further adjustments.

The council also approved a package of transfers across departments to cover invoices and program needs. Key transfers approved included: - Community Corrections: $1,999.99 moved from building repair and maintenance to equipment to pay an invoice for a fixed entrance door at Change Academy (invoice 15344; vendor Sonitrol). Liaison: Amy Dembski. - Central Communications (Public Safety fund): $3,082.56 moved from telecommunications to equipment to purchase a Mevo Anywhere kit intended to support emergency dispatch continuity if central facilities are damaged. - Surveyor: two transfers totaling $10,000 from the Cornerstone Perpetuation fund (equipment and contractual services) into operating supplies to purchase new cornerstone markers. - Surveyor (general): $1,000 moved from computer equipment to travel/training to cover hotel, mileage and meals for staff travel. - Probation: three intra-department transfers totaling $1,000 moved into testing services to cover increased testing tied to a higher mental-health caseload.

Council members discussed several of the transfers in detail and asked clarifying questions about liaisons and invoice origins. Bob Kraft, Bill Van Wy and others noted prior discussions with departments and the need for departments to notify their liaisons when adjustments are required. At the outset of the meeting Rick Collins thanked staff for heavy budget work, calling the 2026 budget “one of the most challenging ones we’ve ever had because of all of the uncertainty.”

On a separate procedural matter, the council took up the 2025 county salary and wage ordinance amendment involving the sheriff’s department request to classify a part‑time animal control officer as a higher pay category (the classification question involved the county’s WIS guidance and whether the position should be placed in the qualified professional category rather than the civilian pool B category). Council members said they had not received full HR committee review and requested the sheriff appear to explain the training and classification before the council decides. The council voted to table that ordinance amendment until the sheriff can attend the next session.

In its advertised public hearing on the airport budget, councilors closed public comment after no members of the public spoke on the airport portion and then passed the airport budget on first reading as Ordinance 2025‑OCC‑9. The vote on first reading was recorded 6‑1 in favor. The council president set a follow‑up meeting and scheduled continued budget review work for the next day.

What the council did not decide: the salary-classification question for the animal control position remains pending and will return when the sheriff can address the council. The council also flagged multiple budget lines (energy, CAD/dispatch maintenance, and other operating contracts) for additional review as staff continue detailed department‑by‑department work sessions.

The council recessed and agreed to continue the budget work session the following morning at 9:30 a.m.