Boone County committee approves $363,178.22 in claims, discusses mileage payments, adopts routine tax-abatement ordinance and votes to enter executive session

The Boone County Committee of the Whole on Jan. 8 approved claims totaling $363,178.22 and recorded the roll call vote. Chair asked for approval of claims "in the amount of $363,178.22 with the understanding that Carl Johnson abstains from voting on all claims presented by William Charles, Northern Illinois Service Company... and all claims submitted by the Boone County Highway Department." The motion, moved by Mr. Wiltsie and seconded by Mr. Schneider, carried on roll call with the recorded votes in the transcript (Carl Johnson: yes; Brian Schneider: yes; Dave Cordray: yes; Dave Wiltsie: yes; Beth Schumaker: yes; Tom Wahlberg: yes; Lisa Patterson: yes; Matt Ragano: yes; Rodney Riley: aye; Marion Thornberry: yes).

The committee also discussed a staff request to change mileage reimbursements from monthly to quarterly to reduce administrative check writing for small amounts; staff said employees may continue to submit monthly but payments would be processed quarterly. No formal vote was taken; the change was treated as a policy adjustment.

Chair asked for a motion to approve "ordinance 2603 for property tax abatement of alternate bonds series 2015a." Board members characterized this annual action as routine and confirmed the ordinance applied to the bonds for the current building (not for the jail). The ordinance was approved by voice vote.

At the end of regular business, the committee voted to enter executive session for pending litigation. Motion to go into executive session was made by Marion Thornberry and seconded by Matt Ragano; roll call recorded unanimous ayes and the motion carried.