Stephenson County’s Services Committee received several administrative reports Jan. 7, including a personnel hire in probation, grant awards for county technology, and approval of routine claims.

Unidentified Speaker 4 reported that the probation office filled a second supervisor position after screening eight candidates; the committee was told the selected candidate is Tammy Nieman. Speaker 4 said of the hire: "Her name is Tammy Nieman, and she will begin her position on February 9." The committee responded positively to the hire.

Unidentified Speaker 5 presented end-of-year numbers and noted the county was awarded technology funding this year: the state’s technology grant will provide $50,000 to each county without an application, and the county must submit a report by February on planned uses (warranties, subscriptions and microphones for CART were mentioned). Speaker 5 said the county also received smaller disability grants (for CART) and would report on planned uses.

When members returned to approval of claims, they questioned whether CentralSquare e-citation fees were being paid four years in advance and why a line item for a Master Builder Ministry program showed $1,500 rather than the more typical $3,000; staff explained the $1,500 reflected lower enrollment and that the Master Builder Ministry expense comes from probation service fees rather than the department budget. The claims motion passed by voice vote.

The committee recorded a diversion-fee deposit of $589.26 last month, bringing the account total to $9,292.75. The meeting adjourned after the scheduled items.