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Committee approves claims, continues DevNet contract and greenlights Empower Health screenings and walking program
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Summary
The Stephenson County Administration Legal Affairs Committee approved $73,823.17 in claims, authorized a continuation of the DevNet contract through 2030, and approved two Empower Health agreements for employee screenings and a county walking program; all motions passed by voice vote.
The Stephenson County Administration Legal Affairs Committee approved a set of routine and programmatic items at its Feb. 11 meeting, including payment of claims, a contract continuation with DevNet and two agreements with Empower Health for employee wellness services.
Claims and routine business: Chairman (S1) reported claims totaling $73,823.17 and the committee approved the payment by voice vote.
DevNet contract: Supervisor of Assessment (S5) presented a continuation of the county’s existing contract with DevNet, which S5 said has been in place since about 2011–2012 and is now extended "good until 2030." S5 noted the vendor included a routine price increase and that the county budgeted for it. The committee moved and approved the contract renewal by voice vote.
"It's good until 2030, and, I knew the increase," Supervisor of Assessment (S5) said when describing the renewal terms.
Empower Health agreements: The committee approved two separate items with Empower Health. The first is the annual agreement for employee wellness screenings, reduced to two locations (down from three) to meet minimum participation levels and keep costs down. Staff said there is a small per-participant increase tied to insurer coverage changes but that the budget includes a cushion to absorb the cost.
The second is a walk-in/walking program that uses a smartphone app to track steps on a virtual map and encourages department teams to compete; staff suggested incentives such as gift cards or cash awards and estimated a modest per-program prize plan. The committee approved the walk-in walking program.
Votes at a glance: agenda (approved, voice), minutes from 01/07/2026 (approved, voice), claims totaling $73,823.17 (approved, voice), DevNet contract continuation through 2030 (approved, voice), Empower Health employee wellness screenings agreement (approved, voice), Empower Health walk-in/walking program (approved, voice).
Why it matters: The approvals keep continuity for county data/mapping services, fund routine county obligations and launch employee health initiatives intended to reduce future costs and improve staff well-being. The meeting record shows officials budgeted for small increases and sought to limit program locations to control expenses.
Next steps: Staff will finalize contract paperwork, circulate screening dates once contracts are returned, and continue implementation of the wellness walking program in April.
