McHenry County Board of Health approves multiple MOUs, a software licensing contract and forwards FY2026 budget to county board

At its Aug. 18 meeting the McHenry County Board of Health approved several nonfinancial memoranda of understanding and a monetary software licensing agreement and recommended the department’s FY2026 budget to the McHenry County Board for its review.

Contracts and MOUs: Staff described an MOU with Boone County Health Department to provide tuberculosis program support and use of the county’s negative-airflow exam room for patients if needed; board members approved the Boone County MOU on a voice vote. The board also approved an MOU to provide on-site/mobile screening services (cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure and point-of-care tests) in partnership with Representative Steve Reich’s office or community locations; the county state's attorney had reviewed and suggested edits. The board approved an AgeOptions sublicense so the department can continue diabetes and health-education classes after direct funding from that partner was reduced.

Chameleon/HLP software licensing: Animal-control staff proposed contracting with HLP Inc. for Chameleon product licensing and an image-entry service to convert rabies vaccination and registration packets into the county’s Chameleon system. Staff presented estimated costs: a one-time setup fee (~$8,200), an annual service fee (~$3,800) and a per-entry charge (about $0.79). The board discussed alternative data-import options and vendor workflows, and approved the HLP/Chameleon licensing and service agreement in a roll-call vote (majority in favor).

Budget recommendation and finance discussion: Staff presented the proposed FY2026 budget and called attention to organizational changes (a deputy veterinarian added; epidemiology moved under a department-wide division) and ARPA-funded positions that will sunset in 2026. The county administration is considering multiple levy scenarios (including a proposed 3% levy reduction by some county board members); staff emphasized the need to identify mandated services versus discretionary programs and to prepare prioritized options in case of county-directed reductions. The finance committee recommended the board forward the FY2026 budget as presented; the board approved that recommendation by roll-call vote and several board members were asked to attend the county’s budget hearings next week.

Votes and formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes include approval of meeting minutes, multiple MOUs/sublicenses, approval of the HLP Chameleon licensing (monetary item), and the finance committee’s motion recommending the FY2026 budget to the county board. Staff said there was no financial impact for several MOUs; for the Chameleon licensing staff cited existing contractual funds and a plan to pilot lower entry volumes initially.

The board did not adjourn before finishing other scheduled agenda items; a motion to adjourn passed at the end of the meeting.