County opens public hearing on annexation notice for Churchwells service district

Kane County convened a public hearing on July 22 to consider Resolution R2025-18, a notice of intent to annex certain unincorporated territory into the Churchwells Special Service District. The hearing opened at 6 p.m. at 76 North Main Street and drew local officials and residents to discuss service coverage, financing and timing.

The chair announced the hearing and said members of the Churchwells Special Service District, including its remote chair Janette, would be allowed to participate. Mayor David Schmucker of Bigwater told the meeting the annexation "will be a good fit for all the residents out in our area, so that we can help them with fire," and said the town has already been responding in the area.

Janette, speaking remotely, told the hearing "the amount that we would be collecting in funds would be the same that we collect in Church Wells. It would be no different. The same percentage. It's 001.5%." Officials and participants discussed the practical effect: collections are unlikely to begin until fiscal year 2026, meaning the annexation would not produce district revenue in 2025.

Several speakers said the county and the district need to review or renew memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to avoid gaps in coverage while the annexation and tax-collection timeline proceed. One participant referenced a prior MOU dispute involving Chief Barnett when the East Vermillion Cliff special service district was created and said the parties expect to resolve related coverage questions.

The hearing also included detailed questions about emergency response reimbursement. Participants described a recent vehicle rollover on Highway 89 that required EMS, fire crews and an air medical transport. Speakers said ambulance transports and hospitals can reimburse EMS responses, but that firefighting costs generally are not reimbursed by vehicle or hospital billing; one participant asked how the fire department would be "paid back" for covering incidents in areas not yet in the special service district.

Officials noted existing contract arrangements (including prior contracts with Canal City) and said they would review fees and contracts as needed. A countywide study of service coverage was mentioned as a possible longer-term solution.

The chair reminded the public that filing the notice starts a 60-day written protest period, and that no final action on annexation occurred during the hearing. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn; the chair called for approval, there was a verbal "Aye," and the meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

Next steps: the 60-day protest period runs from the date of the notice; county staff and district representatives indicated they will work on MOUs and contract issues while the protest period and any associated reviews proceed.