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Belvidere accepts IGA with regional narcotics team and hears police, fire updates
Summary
The committee authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the State Line Area Narcotics Team and received police and fire updates: police reported staffing gaps and training, and the fire chief reported 337 runs in 30 days and described station repair needs.
The Belvidere City Committee of the Whole on June 23 authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the State Line Area Narcotics Team and heard department updates from police and fire leadership.
Police Chief Shane Woody told the committee the department currently has five sworn officer vacancies, two recruits at the Sock Valley Basic Academy, three officers on leave, and scheduled Fire & Police Commission meetings to consider entry-level and lateral candidates. He also noted overtime details for Fourth of July and Cruise Night and said the department had requested State Police assistance for additional enforcement if needed. Chief Woody requested council acceptance of a $1,500 check from the Boone County Treasurer on behalf of the Boone County Department of Public Health to support the Belvidere Boone County Explorer Post’s participation in county compliance checks; a motion to accept that donation was introduced (the motion’s roll-call outcome was not explicit in the adjacent transcript segments).
Chief Woody then presented an intergovernmental agreement that defines the authority and procedures for a multi-jurisdictional task force responsible for interdicting narcotics, guns and human trafficking. Alderwoman Gracowski moved to authorize Chief Woody to sign the IGA and Alderman Peterson seconded; the committee approved the authorization.
Fire Chief Shadel reported 337 runs in the last 30 days (about 11 per shift), 12 fires (five building fires, three in town), 207 EMS calls and 179 transports. He reviewed planned repairs and capital items for Stations One and Two, including floor and drain work, concrete approaches and seal coating. Chief Shadel said many repair prices are higher than expected and that the department will seek multiple bids; he noted the 2% board agreed to contribute $9,500 toward entry updates at Station One.
Council members asked questions about drainage undermining floors, budgeting for repairs, and project timing; the chiefs and finance director confirmed most projects were budgeted (some capitalized) and said the work would be scheduled to avoid winter weather impacts.
The committee also approved a block party request from Belvidere First Assembly of God for Aug. 16 and the finance director reported that Sikage auditors are on site for the FY25 audit and that a new monthly financial report is now included with council packets.
