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Stephenson County Board approves salary increases, contracts and $523,900 roundabout study grant
Summary
The board approved multiple salary resolutions (sheriff, state's attorney, public defender), renewed contracts and awarded or accepted several public-works grants and bids including a $523,900 grant to study a Cedarville/Gleaner roundabout.
At its July 9 meeting, the Stephenson County Board voted on a slate of personnel and procurement items, approving salary adjustments for elected and appointed legal offices, renewals of software contracts, routine vendor payments and several public-works bids and grants.
Personnel and compensation: The board approved a resolution increasing the sheriff’s annual compensation by $7,193.88 effective July 1, 2026; the motion passed 12–1 with one ‘no’ vote recorded. The board also approved an $8,992.35 increase to the state’s attorney’s annual salary (effective July 1, 2026) and a two-stage increase to the public defender’s salary: $8,093.12 effective July 1, 2026, and an additional $11,415.89 effective Jan. 1, 2027. The county will apply to the State of Illinois for statutory reimbursements where available, as described in the resolutions.
Contracts and procurement: The board approved renewal of Microsoft licensing for $120,907.03 for 12 months and an annual payment to Ninja 1 LLC for $18,754.80 for ticketing and data-server protection services; both measures passed unanimously in recorded votes. The board also approved a 2027 holiday calendar and appointed election judges for the Nov. 2026–Mar. 2028 cycle.
Public works and grants: The board approved multiple road-project contracts, including full-depth pavement reclamation bids for Cedarville Road and Dakota Rhodes Road, an overweight/oversize trucking permit (120 days, $150 fee), and a grade-crossing protection improvement for 5 Corners Road (reported as 100% ICC grant funded). The board also accepted a $523,900 Rural and Tribal Assistance grant to fund planning and design work for a roundabout at Gleaner Road and Cedarville Road; trustees described the grant as a major win that funds study and design but not construction.
Votes and process: Where the transcript records roll-call or voice tallies, the article reports the board totals (for example, the sheriff salary increase passed 12–1; the state’s attorney increase passed 13–1). Individual member votes were recorded in a few cases: the transcript identifies one 'no' vote by Mr. Frick on two separate salary measures. Several items were noted as 100% grant-funded or eligible for state reimbursement; board members asked clarifying questions about contract durations, bid counts and funding responsibilities during discussion.
Next steps: Several projects move into design or letting phases; the Route 26/McConnell Road plan was reported to be scheduled for letting in August, and the roundabout study will proceed through data collection, public engagement and alternatives development before final recommendations are presented to the board.
