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Grundy County Board approves zoning, fee and finance items; tables McKevely Road IGA
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Grundy County Board approved a special-use kennel, adopted an updated solar farm fee schedule, approved a five-year road plan and several routine finance reports, and tabled an intergovernmental agreement for McKevely Road pending further information and a Minooka representative.
The Grundy County Board handled multiple votes on Jan. 13, approving zoning, fee and financial matters while tabling a major intergovernmental-agreement (IGA) related to McKevely Road.
Petition 25ZBA24: The board granted final approval for a special-use permit to reopen a dog kennel at 4610 West Gardner Road in Verona, presented by Heidi Miller of the Land Use Department. Miller said the property had operated as a kennel for about 20 years, was inspected by animal control with no issues, and both the CBA and the Land Use Committee unanimously recommended approval with nine conditions. The board took a roll-call vote and approved the special use; the clerk read the roll during the vote.
Solar fee schedule: County staff presented an updated fee schedule for commercial solar developments that moves to capacity-based fees set at $5,000 per megawatt for special-use applications and for building-permit fees, subject to state-authorized caps (the packet cited a $125,000 per-project cap for special-use fees and a $75,000 cap for capacity-based building permits). Al McDonald said the revisions align county fees with the recently passed state energy framework and were unanimously recommended by the Land Use Committee; the board adopted the resolution.
Five-year road and bridge plan: Highway engineer Eric Gibson presented the 2026–2030 plan, which shifts emphasis from bridge replacements toward asphalt paving in the near term. The plan had been presented and reviewed previously and received a positive committee recommendation; the board approved it.
McKevely Road IGA tabled: Gibson also presented an amended and reinstated IGA with the Village of Minooka for McKevely Road (Ridge Road to Vista Court). He said project costs rose from earlier estimates and the county's portion moved from roughly $992,032.50 to $1,021,915 (a $29,882.50 increase); he emphasized the village is pursuing federal funding expected to cover about 80% of construction costs and said the county’s commitment is intended to be limited if federal funds are not secured. Several board members pressed for a firm cap, clarification about truck-weight limits (MFT implications) and involvement of Minooka officials in discussion. After debate, the board voted to table the IGA and asked that a Minooka representative attend the next meeting.
Routine finance and reports: The board approved the treasurer’s fund-status report for December 2025, accepted the county clerk quarterly report, approved routine claims and accepted the coroner’s annual report. The board also approved a deed of conveyance for a tax-sale parcel on Arrowhead Drive to the Village of Minooka (bid: $839) and approved an EDPA I surplus redistribution of $3,426,884 to participating taxing bodies as presented by county staff.
Executive session: The board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters and later reconvened and adjourned. The board set its next regular meeting for Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
