Winnebago County Board approves sheriff’s equipment purchases, sends advisory referendum on federal scholarship tax credit to March ballot

At its county board meeting, Winnebago County commissioners approved several procurement resolutions for the Sheriff’s Office, amended the effective date of a contract with security vendor Force Matrix, adopted a county noise ordinance and voted to place an advisory referendum on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit on the March primary ballot.

The most contested item was a resolution authorizing an agreement with Force Matrix. Mr. McDonald said the contract’s stated November 1 start date improperly required payment for a period when the service was not in use and moved to amend the effective date to Dec. 15. "Can we make this effective December 15 instead?" he asked; Mr. Sweeney seconded the motion. The board approved the amendment and then the amended agreement unanimously.

The board also approved several routine purchases for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office using CIP 2026 funds, with amounts listed by committee: $469,688 for six replacement patrol vehicles; $158,000.831 for two replacement canine vehicles (figure as stated in the meeting); $48,591 for a replacement unit vehicle; and $100,606 for replacement SWAT vests. Committee chair Miss Hansard described the purchases as part of routine fleet and equipment rotation and said they are intended to update worn vehicles and gear. Each resolution was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote.

On a broader policy question, the board voted to place an advisory referendum on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit on the March primary ballot. Sponsor Mr. Sweeney argued the federal credit enables private donations to support scholarships for students in families earning up to 300% of median income and said the measure would not alter existing public school funding formulas. "It does not affect negatively any of the formula structures of funding of public education in this county," Sweeney said. Co-sponsor Miss Valdez said the referendum "gives the power back to the people" and urged voters to weigh in.

Board members who recorded a 'no' on the advisory referendum were Mr. Hoffman, Mr. De La Trinidad and Miss Hansard; the chair confirmed the resolution passed by majority voice vote. Several members said they supported placing the question on the ballot so voters could decide.

The board also moved to send a zoning item—a site-approval application for a commercial wind/solar energy facility at 8016 Spring Creek Road—back to the Zoning Board of Appeals at the applicant’s request so the applicant could revise materials; the motion passed. Under unfinished business the board approved a noise ordinance that had been laid over from Nov. 25; Miss Valdez thanked colleagues and staff for work on hours and enforcement mechanisms.

The meeting closed after routine announcements and condolences from Dr. Michael Thompson and logistical notices from other members.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance/budget amendment: e-citation software replacement (Finance Committee) — approved by voice vote; funded by circuit clerk fees. - Zoning: site approval for commercial wind/solar facility (8016 Spring Creek Road) — sent back to ZBA for further work (motion passed). - Operations resolutions (CIP 2026 funding): purchase of 6 patrol vehicles ($469,688) — approved; 2 canine vehicles ($158,000.831) — approved; replacement unit vehicle ($48,591) — approved; SWAT vests ($100,606) — approved. - Agreement: Authorize agreement with Force Matrix — board amended contract start to Dec. 15 and approved amended agreement (vote passed). - Advisory referendum: Submit advisory referendum on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit to March primary ballot — passed (three recorded no votes: Hoffman, De La Trinidad, Hansard). - Noise ordinance (laid over from Nov. 25) — adopted unanimously.

What happens next: The advisory referendum will appear on the March primary ballot for Winnebago County voters; the board’s action is advisory and any statewide opt-in decision rests with the governor and state processes. The zoning item will be considered again by the Zoning Board of Appeals at its March meeting. Several procurement items will move forward under the county’s CIP 2026 implementation process.