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McHenry County Board of Health subcommittee backs maintenance budget, recommends animal‑shelter repairs and Wi‑Fi upgrade
Summary
A Board of Health subcommittee recommended forwarding the department's proposed FY2026 maintenance budget and supplemental requests — including animal shelter flooring and dryer repairs, a $25,000 Wi‑Fi upgrade for the Crystal Lake facility, and a $100 monthly member stipend proposal — to the full Board of Health for final consideration.
A McHenry County Board of Health subcommittee voted to recommend the department's proposed FY2026 maintenance budget and several supplemental requests be sent to the full Board of Health for consideration.
The recommendation came after staff outlined adjustments to a posted draft budget, noting personnel costs were lower because the county does not fully budget vacant positions and some grant-related salary and fringe charges will post later in the county's financial system. "We had to pay back $6,969.37 in interest" on a state grant that crossed fiscal years, a staff presenter said, adding the department keeps $500 of that interest.
Why it matters: staff told the subcommittee projected revenue for 2026 is down 7.37%, mostly because some grants were reduced or discontinued. Department leaders said they will continue applying for grants and are also discussing modest fee increases to ease pressure on the general fund.
Staff presented several supplemental requests to address facility and operational needs. The department recommended using its animal shelter fund balance (budgeted draws have been $12,000 per year, but the fund balance is about $53,000) to pay for two capital items: replacement of worn shelter flooring (previously estimated at about $30,000) and a dryer. Staff said using that dedicated fund would not fully deplete it and that the county must approve use of fund balance for capital outlays.
Information technology staff requested $25,000 to add Wi‑Fi access points at the Crystal Lake building to serve an expanded lobby, new lab and a garage area intended for drive‑through clinics; staff said the points are needed to ensure reliable connectivity during events.
The subcommittee also discussed a recommendation to set Board of Health member compensation at $100 per month for 11 members (excluding the county liaison). One board member said she would prefer to forgo the stipend if it would help cover staff vaccine access; the group agreed to have the comment carried forward in the Monday meeting materials.
On vaccination budgeting, staff said respiratory vaccine spending (including COVID vaccine procurement) remains uncertain because federal recommendations and supply have changed since the last board discussion. The staff presenter said the COVID vaccine line in the department's budget is currently about $15,000 and that continuing or changing a staff COVID‑vaccination policy would affect whether the department needs to keep that budget line.
The subcommittee moved the budget recommendation by voice vote. A roll call recorded "Yes" responses from Doctor Katz, Miss Hollyfield, Doctor Hamzler and Doctor Zurich when their names were called. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn.
What happens next: the subcommittee's recommendation and the noted comment about vaccine availability and staff coverage will be presented to the full Board of Health at its next meeting for final action. If the county board approves any supplemental items that require county authorization, staff said they will pursue the county's purchasing rules and bidding thresholds as appropriate.
