Winnebago County Board approves appointment, vendor renewals, a vehicle purchase and a litigation settlement

The Winnebago County Board approved a package of routine measures during its meeting, including an appointment to a fire district, budgeted purchases and a litigation settlement.

The board suspended its usual rules to permit immediate consideration of an appointment and confirmed Craig Larson to serve a three-year term on the North Park Fire Protection District, replacing Hanelore Rager; annual compensation for the post was stated as not to exceed $1,500. Mr. Arena moved to suspend the rules and to approve the appointment; Mr. Booker seconded the suspension and the board approved the appointment that evening.

The Operations Committee reported and the board approved a budgeted purchase of a Winnebago County Animal Services transit van with a budget impact of $89,302. The board also approved an annual renewal of property tax and assessment software with a reported budget impact of $198,862. A resolution to award an upper roof replacement at the juvenile justice center was laid over to allow coordination with a space study of the public safety building; staff told the board the roof was not currently leaking and could be deferred several weeks.

Acting on a finance committee item, the board approved a resolution authorizing settlement of pending litigation brought by Carlene Hensley as independent administrator of the estate of Ronald J. Griffin against the County of Winnebago, doing business as River Bluff Nursing Home; the finance committee moved the resolution and it was approved by voice vote.

All routine measures were approved by voice vote in a meeting where the clerk recorded 17 members present and 3 absent. Board members asked staff to continue coordination with relevant departments for implementation and for public notice where appropriate.