The Stephenson County Board met to advance the 2027 budget (received and laid over for public inspection), approve several settlements and appointments, adopt a flat property tax levy for 2027, and approve infrastructure and public-safety items including an engineering contract for a township bridge and a speed-limit change on Sunset Road. The board also discussed cemetery restoration grant pursuit and a sharp rise in nursing-center census following a management change.
Discussion Points
•Board agreed to lower posted speed to 40 mph.
•Board asked questions about Economic Development funding and opioid fund lines.
•Board discussed increasing local match to support grant application.
•Chair confirmed party affiliation was verified.
•Chairman reported neglect and missing headstones at county cemetery.
Stephenson County officials announced on Nov. 10, 2026, that the county will acquire tax certificates for all parcels unpaid as of Nov. 9, 2026, concluding the annual sale of delinquent taxes for tax year 2025; the action follows Board Resolution 26-09-119 and a court order issued Nov. 9, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Purpose of gathering to document annual sale of delinquent taxes for tax year 2025
•Reference to Board Resolution 26-09-119 and court order as legal basis
Decisions
•County as trustee will acquire tax certificates for all parcels unpaid as of close of business Nov. 9, 2026; the annual sale of delinquent taxes is concluded.
Stephenson County IL Finance Committee Meeting 11-6-26
Stephenson County finance committee reviewed claims and budgets, received reports from staff, and debated how 911 fee distributions were being handled after the sheriff opened a separate account; the committee approved several budget and ordinance items including the FY27 budget and participation in an opioid settlement.
Discussion Points
•Claims and budget items were presented and explained by staff.
•Committee approved multiple items by voice vote.
•Committee members questioned transparency and asked for audit/accounting evidence that 911 dollars were properly restricted.
•Committee members raised concerns about vehicles taken home by deputies and purchases funded from nonpublic accounts.
•Members requested condensed reports showing balances and past expenditures.
•No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
•Options discussed: keep practice with audit oversight; record receipts via order to receive into general ledger; create a dedicated 911 fund for clearer tracking.
•Staff (S5) explained $75,000 911 distribution expected in 2027 and said the sheriff opened a separate account in 2026.
•Staff (S5) proposed using $195,000 surplus for vehicle purchases.
Decisions
•Approve budget as presented while requesting follow-up for vehicle allocation decisions.
•Claims, budget and ordinance items recorded were approved and will proceed as documented.
•Committee approved the budget as presented but instructed staff to pursue the follow-ups above.
Directions
•Invite sheriff to discuss past purchases and account usage at the full board meeting.
•Staff to circulate condensed 911 audit/account activity reports to the committee before the full board meeting.
•Staff to invite the sheriff to the full board meeting to explain the separate account.
•Staff to process surplus property declarations.
•Staff to provide condensed account reports and vehicle-replacement cost estimates.
•Staff to track opioid settlement distributions and report back.
Stephenson County IL Public Works Committee Meeting 11-5-26
Public Works Committee met November 5 to approve routine business, hear an animal-control operations report, review highway projects and bridge funding prospects, begin a federally funded road project process (HD 26-19), and approve a speed study recommendation for Sunset Road.
Discussion Points
•Chair announced claims total and members moved and seconded the motion.
•Inspection found critical finding on bridge north of Orangeville requiring closure and design work; some bridge construction projects removed from next-year construction due to high cost estimates; staff plan to pursue federal bridge funding.
•Resident-requested speed study conducted with sign collector across multiple days; 85th-percentile approach used; high late-night recorded speeds noted.
•Shelter intake numbers and inventory status; potential rescues for long-term animals; fundraising and donation channels; Treat app meeting scheduled.
Decisions
•Claims approved by voice vote
•Motion to begin phase one recorded but no outcome captured in transcript
•Posting change approved by voice vote
Directions
•Notify sheriff's office and install signage for the 40-mph posting.
•Staff to meet with Treat app vendor and continue rescue outreach; send second notices to owners for delinquent registrations.
•Staff to obtain required wet signatures and submit funding requests.
•Staff to pursue federal funding and submit candidate projects for grant consideration.
Stephenson County IL Nursing Center Committee Meeting 11-5-26
At a Stephenson County Nursing Center Committee meeting, staff reported that Serenity Estates' census rose to 92 (up from about 48 in Sept. 2025) and gave updates on staffing, payer mix and an ongoing union contract review; the committee approved the agenda and minutes and set its next meeting for Dec. 10, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Committee noted the high private-pay share as potentially reflective of care quality.
•Contract expired in March and includes an automatic renewal clause; review is ongoing.
•Facility census has increased to 92 residents (Monica).
•Increased agency staffing due to promotions and coverage needs (Monica).
•Leadership emphasizes balancing census growth with staffing and clinical oversight.
•Minutes duplication regarding County Board Chairman Scott Helms was noted (S2).
•No formal decision taken; report for committee information.
•Payer mix reported: 55 Medicaid; 13 public aid pending; 4 Medicare; 9 managed care; 8 private-pay (based on 89 census).
•Procedural motions to approve agenda, minutes and adjourn were carried by voice vote.
•Recent meeting with regional leadership and union representative was described as productive.
Stephenson County IL Administration Committee Meeting 11-4-26
Administration & Legal Affairs Committee meeting on Nov. 4 covered routine approvals, a treasurer report with a planned distribution, election administration updates and turnout, assessment-notice mailings, records management and a cemetery grant opportunity, IT projects and ADA website compliance, and a departing committee member's remarks.
Discussion Points
•5,316 assessment notices sent in Freeport; ~7,500 notices to be published for seven townships.
•ADA website compliance planning ahead of a July 2027 deadline; $60,000 capital line held for IT upgrades.
•A large taxpayer paid ~$205,000; ~650 parcels remain outstanding and a tax sale was discussed.
•Claims totaling $67,043.36 were approved; chair said he reviewed them prior to moving approval.
•Collaborative cemetery-grant application to fund repairs; history members have compiled needed repairs.
•County staff assisting smaller townships with exemption and filing questions.
•County-wide Adobe license consolidated to save costs.
•Departing committee member thanked colleagues for four years of service.
•Illinois EDC cluster analysis presented at Greater Freeport Partnership; Henry Hodge identified as main presenter and PowerPoint to be shared.
•Internal electronic-recycling event planned; devices to be degaussed and certificates issued.
•KnowBe4 phishing campaigns to test staff cybersecurity awareness.
•Planned county distribution ~ $2,500,000 to taxing districts expected Friday.
•Preliminary receipts: ~ $870,000 (sales/income taxes) and total funds nearly $32M as draft.
•Preliminary turnout 56.2% and increased vote-by-mail/early voting.
•Preparation of a list to request certificate of destruction for paper agendas and minutes older than 10 years.
•Proposal to improve website poll-time visibility and consider extended hours for future elections.
•Routine agenda and minutes approved by voice vote.
•Upcoming administrative dates: retab Nov. 12, final canvas Nov. 19.
Decisions
•Agenda approved
•Claims totaling $67,043.36 approved
•Minutes approved
•Treasurer to provide final report later
Directions
•Clerk to review website navigation and consider extended hours for future elections.
Stephenson County IL Public Property & safety Committee Meeting 11-2-26
Stephenson County committee met Oct. 6, 2026. Members approved routine claims, heard a coroner report on October deaths, and debated a sheriff vehicle RFP and related budget timing, ultimately tabling the procurement until December. The sheriff reported new crisis intake arrangements with Mercy Health and described a heavy FOIA workload and use of Flock license-plate cameras.
Discussion Points
•Claims were read and approved as routine consent items.
•Members requested the written report be reviewed before the county board meeting.
•Members sought more procedural details to coordinate transport and intake protocols.
•One public-property figure read in transcript is garbled and requires confirmation.
•Presenter delivered October case counts and pending caseload.
•Sheriff defended use of Flock cameras as license-plate readers that have aided investigations.
•Sheriff has met with Mercy Health and signaled a switch from FHM to Mercy Health for crisis intake.
•Sheriff reported FOIA counts (504 then ~554) and described time required for video review and redaction.
•Sheriff sought to lock unit pricing via RFP despite no current funding; members worried about optics and jurisdictional coordination with finance and highway departments.
•Technical questions about 30-day public posting and price validity through new model-year releases were raised.
Decisions
•Claims approved and forwarded.
•Motion to table/lay over RFP until December passed.
•No formal committee action taken.
Directions
•Clerk/finance to confirm exact claim figures before processing.
•No formal direction beyond review requested.
•Sheriff to provide more detail to the full county board before next board meeting.
•Sheriff to reissue RFP in December with corrected posting dates and an explicit 'pending funding' clause if appropriate.
Stephenson County IL Planning & Development Committee Meeting 11-2-26
Regular Stephenson County meeting: board opened with prayer, approved agenda and minutes, received workforce and economic development reports including a major food‑processing expansion, discussed energy storage setbacks and code protections, reviewed county finances, and adjourned.
Discussion Points
•Agenda item 9.1 removed by motion.
•Company anticipates adding production lines and hiring tens of workers; wastewater treatment upgrades of about $7,000,000 were mentioned.
•County staff reported a 3.8% September unemployment rate and ongoing shortages for entry‑level, IT and machinist positions.
•Current local setbacks are 50 feet from property line / 150 feet from structure exterior; staff considers this too close.
•Freeport Partnership chosen for Illinois EDC pilot.
•Illinois EDC will provide industry analysis and join on business retention visits.
•Interest in smaller (0.5 acre) energy storage sites near populated areas.
•Issued 18 code violations in the month; six closed.
•Minutes and claims approved by voice vote.
•October deposit: $8,018.20; year‑to‑date general fund: $222,382.68.
•Plant completed initial 5,000 sq. ft. phase and started trial production.
•Staff described recruitment events and partnerships with schools and Highland Community College.
Stephenson County Board held a regularly scheduled meeting with public comment alleging unsafe fence construction, approval of IT and backup contracts, an executive-session appointment of a county administrator, a Greater Freeport Partnership presentation claiming $56.3 million in visitor spending, several finance approvals including an insurance renewal and a property-tax advance for the county nursing facility, and multiple public-works contract actions.
Discussion Points
•Board members asked for the methodology, visitor counts, and whether local businesses are realizing the reported gains.
•Engineering cap increase requested to allow more projects for highway department.
•Executive session was convened under the Open Meetings Act for employment matters; no action reported from the closed session.
•Finance proposed advancing levy funds to clear unpaid vendor bills to the county nursing facility; outstanding amount cited as $252,319.43.
•IT recommended a 3‑year KnowBe4 contract to lower per‑year cost and support cyber‑insurance discounts.
•Karen Rivers alleged the Aug. 3 field inspection had no photos and closed her July 29 nuisance complaint without identifying violations.
•McConnell/Route 26 intersection delayed due to IDOT approvals and a south‑side contractor conflict with Nitor; construction likely in spring.
•Motion to approve appointment was moved and seconded in public session.
•NinjaOne SaaS backup was presented with an annual quote of $29,554.80; the immediate request was to cover $10,800 for the current year.
•Premiums for county coverage increased ~12% to ~$944,000 due to exposures and claims.
•Presenters said Longwoods International/state data show $56.3M in visitor spending and $2.2M in tax returns to public bodies for 2025.
•Rivers requested a licensed inspection and asked district representatives to contact appropriate agencies.
Stephenson County IL Finance Committee Meeting 10/09/2026
Stephenson County Finance Committee met to review and approve the FY2027 budget and related levies, hear public comments urging continued funding for behavioral-health and disability services, renew the county's property/casualty insurance, consider a genetic-testing vendor contract for employee benefits, approve supplemental capital requests (prioritizing highway equipment), and approve a tax-advance resolution for the nursing facility. Several votes carried, and members flagged an off-book 9-1-1 funds practice for follow-up.
Discussion Points
•Board directed staff to reallocate funds internally and prioritize departmental needs without raising the levy.
•Board discussed potential to reduce umbrella to save ~$74,000 but accepted consultant advice to retain current limit.
•Board members expressed concern about prosecution capacity and public-safety implications.
•Committee members asked how an off-book account could be opened and how oversight would prevent incorrect handling of county revenues.
•Counsel identified clauses that could allow Mapper to retain employee genetic data after contract termination and that allocated IP ownership of aggregated statistics to the vendor.
•Department budgets across public safety, highway, facilities, IMRF and health were reviewed.
•Highway department needs (chip spreader, plow equipment, roller) were presented as high-priority and time-sensitive.
•IMRF contribution rates and fund health were discussed; staff noted a $87,000 general-fund surplus in preliminary numbers.
•Members expressed opposition to increasing property taxes; several argued to prioritize reserve levels and avoid further tax increases.
•Multiple public commenters described reductions in state funding and urged county support of 708 allocations.
•Multiple scenarios were presented for using $708,000 in supplemental funds (chip spreader, road improvements, sheriff vehicles).
•Presenter explained insured values ($94,000,000) and liability structure ($1M per occurrence, $3M aggregate, $10M umbrella).
•Speakers gave concrete figures: $430,000 request referenced by Doug Scott; Voices of Stephenson County reported a $32,950 allocation.
•Staff noted market drivers: increase in nuclear verdicts and property-storm losses.
•Staff offered to arrange a three-way call between vendor and counsel to address redlines quickly.
•Staff presented options to allow a levy increase up to 5% (~$530,500) or keep levy flat and use cash carry-forward.
•Staff reported check had been cut and deposited to an off-book account in the sheriff's office rather than being posted through standard general-ledger procedure.
•Staff said open enrollment starts Oct. 19 and offered to exclude the product from enrollment if legal issues are unresolved.
•State's attorney said office has 3 attorneys where 7 positions are budgeted, causing unsustainable workload and burnout.
Decisions
•$400,000 supplemental allocation approved for highway equipment.
•Approved property/casualty renewal and retained $10M umbrella.
•Committee deferred action (tabled) and directed staff and counsel to negotiate with vendor.
•Committee requested reconciliation and deferred final action on the affected public-safety budget items.
•Levy kept at 0% increase; staff directed to implement internal reallocations.
•Multiple department budgets approved by voice vote.
•No immediate cuts to 708 allocations recorded in committee minutes.
•Personnel funding approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Approve $400,000 for highway equipment and return remaining funds to general/carry forward.
•Approve departmental budgets; staff to finalize line items and return any unresolved matters.
•Approve personnel funding request and allow state's attorney to proceed with hiring efforts.
•Do not act on public-safety budget lines dependent on these revenues until staff and the sheriff provide reconciliation and an accounting report.
•Do not approve or include Mapper Health in open-enrollment materials until counsel approves contract changes or vendor provides binding assurances.
•Finance staff to recast levy line items and return the finalized budget to the county board for confirmation.
•Finance to coordinate transfers and procurement with the highway department.
•Insurance staff to continue to work with ICRT and monitor claims and renewals.
•Schedule vendor call and obtain revised contract language for committee review.
•Staff to account for public-comment requests in final budget deliberations and consider whether opioid-settlement dollars can be allocated to mental-health line items.
Stephenson County IL Public Works Committee Meeting 10/08/2026
Public Works Committee meeting covering animal control report and 2027 highway/bridge budget and levy decisions, including a 2.5% county levy recommendation, equipment purchasing priorities, a fuel‑price cap increase from the county fuel vendor and several engineering contract adjustments.
Discussion Points
•Budget modeling under different levy scenarios depends on fuel cost assumptions
•Choice between 5% maximum levy and lower CPI‑based options
•Completed Five Corners railroad crossing and Orangeville Road work
•Concern about taxpayer impact and sharing the levy among mental health/AAC levies
•County has option to rebid three-year fuel contract
•Current engineering invoicing near $87,000 of $100,000 baseline
•Detailed equipment and capital needs for highway/bridge funds
•Feline disease outbreak and losses; shelter census (20 cats, 14 dogs)
•McConnell Road deferred to 2027 due to Nicor gas main relocation
•Operational practices: stray hold times, per‑animal cost tracking, deposit handling
•Revenue expectation from registration/tag issuance and partnerships with vets/college
•Saunders doubled the contractual price cap for fuel
•Shippy Road and other township bridge engineering needs justify increase
•Shippy Road bridge beam arrival and expected completion timeline
Decisions
•Committee approved accepting Saunders' revised cap for now
•Committee approved the 2027 animal control budget and will forward to finance
•Committee recommended 2.5% levy and will send recommendation to finance
•Motion approved by committee
Directions
•Forward a 2.5% levy recommendation to finance for further allocation analysis
•Increase the engineering agreement by $50,000 for remainder of 2026
•Procurement to review contract terms and consider rebid options
•Staff to provide updated numbers and tag issuance plan to finance
Stephenson County IL Nursing Center Committee Meeting 10/08/2026
At its Oct. 8, 2026 meeting, the Davidson County Nursing Center Committee heard a facility report from Freeport Nursing Center LLC on occupancy and staffing, discussed two earlier fines and a possible Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services civil money penalty, and approved the agenda and previous minutes. The committee set its next meeting for Nov. 5, 2026.
Discussion Points
•A committee member said the management agreement places responsibility for fines on the management company, not the county.
•Agenda and minutes approved by voice vote.
•Committee members asked if the 150 figure referred to certified beds; no confirmation was recorded.
•Monica invited attendance at a Halloween party on Oct. 29 and thanked dietary staff during dietary appreciation week.
•Monica noted intermittent union visits by 'Cody' and that new washers/dishwashers are working.
•Monica reported 87 beds occupied and indicated a possible 150-bed capacity.
•Monica reported 87 residents and increased reliance on agency staffing.
•Monica reported two earlier fines paid through IDPH and said CMS was pursuing a potential civil money penalty totaling $38,745.
•Monica said management redlines were sent to the union by 'Serenity of States' and no response had been received.
•Monica stated a 35% reduction would apply and estimated the reduced penalty as about $21,000.
•No formal follow-up or timeline was set by the committee.
•Substantive discussion covered Freeport report and fines; no formal actions were taken on those items.
Stephenson County IL Court Services Committee Meeting 10/07/2026
The Stephenson County Group Services Committee met Oct. 7, 2026, approving routine minutes and claims, hearing departmental reports on probation union negotiations and a staffing shortfall in the state's attorney's office, and discussing a supplemental request from the public defender to pay YMCA memberships for staff (no motion taken).
Discussion Points
•Chair opposed because it could not be extended to all departments.
•Explanation of 'carbon orders' as duplicate paper forms used in criminal-court sentencing.
•Further reporting to be presented at next meeting.
•Juvenile case volumes increasingly year-round.
•Line officers covered by union; support staff not covered.
•Members noted the public defender's state funds could cover the request.
•Office elevated offers to $80,000–$85,000 to recruit.
•Office understaffed (3 of 7 positions filled).
•Pay identified as main reason for turnover.
•Public defender requested use of state funds for YMCA memberships.
•Reported deposit of $567.75 and total account balance $4,731.78.
•Routine review of claims for payment.
•Upcoming union negotiations for probation officers.
Stephenson County IL Administration Committee Meeting 10/07/2026
Stephenson County Administration Legal Affairs Committee met Oct. 7 to approve routine business, hear departmental reports on finance, elections, assessor work and cybersecurity proposals, discuss potential exposure from recent state changes to the property tax sale process, and vote to move into an executive session.
Discussion Points
•Assessor completed valuation work for most townships and plans near-term publication of notices.
•Director proposed two cybersecurity purchases and provided ballpark costs.
•Explained cure process for invalid mail ballots.
•Motion made and seconded to convene executive session.
•Plans for a county-employee recycling event and addition of Stephenson County Jail as a site.
•Reported early voting numbers and outstanding mail ballots.
•Staff to provide formal quotes and return to board for approval.
•Treasurer presented worst-case and immediate exposure estimates and described coordination with state leaders to seek corrections.
•Treasurer reported higher balances, matured investments, and small declines in some receipts.
Decisions
•Meeting recessed into executive session.
Directions
•Director to obtain formal vendor quotes for presentation to the board.
•Staff to follow up with firm date and logistics via email.
•Staff to follow up with payers as noted by chair.
•Treasurer to provide updated numbers after next tax distribution.
Stephenson County IL Administration Committee Meeting (pt 2) 10/07/2026
A brief committee meeting session moved review of the proposed fiscal year 2027 administrative services budget to the finance committee after a short discussion about flat spending, two modest staff pay increases, and a $1,500 copier/photocopy overage line. No final budget approval was taken; the motion to refer passed by voice vote.
Discussion Points
•A committee member recommended the board would take final action and suggested laying the item over if needed.
•Chair and committee handled procedural business and closed the meeting.
•Chair described most budget lines as flat but noted increases for an assistant and the finance director and a $1,500 copier/photocopy overage.
•Chair indicated an outstanding figure for 'Yvette' that staff would resolve before further action.
•No action taken from executive session 8.1.
Decisions
•A short procedural motion passed by voice vote; meeting adjourned.
•Motion to refer the budget to the finance committee passed by voice vote; no final adoption taken.
Directions
•Refer the proposed FY27 administrative services budget to the finance committee for detailed review.
Stephenson County IL Public Property & SAfety Committee Meeting 10/06/2026
Stephenson County meeting covered routine approvals and claims, questions about tow-fee revenue accounting, an emergency management update including grant and camera upgrades, coroner statistics for September, and adjournment.
Discussion Points
•Committee members noted the emotional impact of a suicide case.
•County Highway Building surveillance camera system has failed and a replacement quote is expected.
•Emergency Operations Plan update due March 2027.
•EMPG grant approval still pending from state Office of Homeland Security.
•Five-year multi-hazard mitigation plan due in 2027.
•Hayes raised a specific question about prior tow-fee legislation and where revenue is recorded.
•No roll-call tallies were recorded in the provided transcript.
•Routine claims and motions were approved by voice vote.
•September mortality totals and case breakdown presented.
•Staff reported the funds are dedicated to sheriff's office uses and that collection totals to date are small.
Decisions
•Motion to accept items approved
•Second motion (moved by 'missus Buskers' in transcript) approved
Directions
•Proceed with EMPG grant acceptance and reimbursements once state approval is received; obtain vendor quote for camera replacement.
•Staff to follow up and locate exact collection figures in audit/financial records.
Stephenson County IL Planning & Development Committee Meeting 10/05/2026
The Stephenson County Planning Development Committee met to approve routine minutes and claims, hear an economic development update covering employment, site-readiness work and local business openings, approve a special-use permit for a single-family dwelling on Howardsville, and adopt an updated solid waste management plan that includes exploring a landscape composting transfer station. Public comments and discussion referenced a local and state data-center moratorium and planned zoning changes in Freeport.
Discussion Points
•Chair presented claims totaling $910.63.
•Clerk reported deposits and building permit trends.
•Committee discussed a landscape composting facility or transfer station (item 6 or 7 in the plan) and the logistics at Millrace.
•Freeport is reviewing zoning for battery storage; data‑center siting inquiries increasing.
•Local unemployment reported between 3.3% and 3.9% and described as tight.
•No public objections were recorded.
•Operational concerns about leaf burning and supervised burns at the airport were raised.
•Site‑readiness grant completed; awaiting final documentation from Fairgram to market sites.
•Staff described parcel layout and the applicant's plans to install septic.
•State reviewed the draft and requested a single change; staff implemented it.
Decisions
•Claims approved by voice vote.
•Solid waste management plan adopted by committee; forwarded for board/state approval.
•Special‑use permit approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Agency to circulate final Fairgram documentation and support site marketing.
•Staff to forward the plan to the county board and state for final approval.
Stephenson County Board met Sept. 16, 2026, approving a board appointment, several procurement and policy actions, accepting the 2025 audit (clean opinion with repeated internal-control findings), renewing employee health insurance, and advancing road and infrastructure items. Public comment raised safety concerns about a quarry fence and an occupancy permit.
Discussion Points
•Auditor noted unmodified opinion, three repeat material weaknesses, nursing home payable issues and a $2.6M deficit in nursing center operations.
•Board asked how many bids were received; staff did not have immediate count on record.
•Board member questioned insurance costs and whether vehicles are 'luxury' models.
•Board members asked for comparative networking with other counties to seek further savings.
•Engineer committed to finish by end of 2026; speaker made a lighthearted remark about extended work if not finished.
•Nomination presented by Republican central committee; no discussion recorded.
•Packet and discussion showed inconsistent fee percentages for recruiter (20% mentioned orally; 25% on packet pages).
•Proposal intended to reduce taxpayer redemption interest and administrative burden; state law changes prompted the update.
•Renewal figures presented; changes to deductibles and some copays noted; MAPRA genetic mapping (DXMapper) was described as voluntary.
•Rivers claimed the quarry occupancy permit was issued without required fencing and listed several specific construction defects.
•She asked for a licensed inspector and corrective action if hazards are found.
•Sheriff confirmed vehicles replace out‑of‑service units and will be take‑home police package vehicles.
•State's attorney described severe understaffing and recruitment difficulty.
Decisions
•Appointment approved unanimously and oath administered.
•Board received and approved the audit.
•Contract approved with one no vote; follow‑up required to confirm fee.
•Insurance renewal approved 12–2.
•Project approved unanimously.
•Purchase approved 12–1.
•Resolution passed with one no vote.
Directions
•Continue HSA contributions and MAPRA program; staff to review plan details with employees.
•Finance department to address material weaknesses and report progress to the board.
•Public Works to report back with bid counts and final cost.
•Sheriff to proceed with awarding to low bidder and finalize purchase
•Staff to verify and finalize recruiter fee percentage before contract execution.
•Treasurer's office to implement procedural changes and set aside funds for some past sales as needed.
Stephenson County IL Finance Committee Meeting 9-14-26
Stephenson County committee meeting reviewed employee benefits renewals and a genomic/medication mapping program, heard an external audit reporting a clean opinion with material weaknesses in nursing-home accounting, progressed 2027 budget/levy planning, and approved claims and surplus property sales.
Discussion Points
•Audit delivered an unmodified opinion; prior‑year restatements identified for nursing‑home payables (~$130,000).
•Claims and surplus properties were presented for approval; minimal discussion occurred and motions carried.
•Court security/jail inmate medical fund expected receipts ~$120,000 and recommended for approval.
•DX genomic screening costs $250 per participant and is currently employee-paid; the Rx side has generated roughly $67,000 savings to date.
•Employee Navigator migration requires IT work and a one‑time charge referenced by the presenter.
•Financial highlights: governmental net position ~$48.4M; general fund unassigned ~$9.5M; nursing center fund deficit ~ $1.6M.
•Levy mechanics: county may request up to 5% above prior year extension; illustrative figure ~$530,521.
Stephenson County IL Planning & Development Committee Meeting 9-14-26
County board approved routine agenda items and several budget line items, heard a public complaint about an occupancy permit and fence compliance at 466 West Derby Road, received tourism and economic updates showing a 9.3% increase in visitor impact, and discussed funding placeholders for local partners and cemetery repairs.
Discussion Points
•Karen Rivers alleged the fence at 466 West Derby Road has structural and safety defects and that an occupancy permit was issued without proper inspection.
•Motion to include $16,500 contribution to Jane Addams Trail in draft budget.
•Need to change names in draft budget to broader economic-development placeholders until contracts are finalized; include placeholder amounts so dollars are visible in the budget.
•Staff reported a 9.3% tourism economic-impact increase for Stephenson County in 2025 and described promotions, ribbon-cuttings, a business incubator, and enterprise-zone work.
•Staff reported deposit totals and summarized closed enforcement cases and ongoing inspections.
•Uncertainty about repair costs for individual headstones; suggestion to include modest placeholder pending estimates.
Decisions
•$2,500 placeholder approved by voice vote.
•Budget inclusion approved by voice vote.
•No formal enforcement action announced during the meeting.
•Placeholders added to draft budget; final spending contingent on contracts.
Directions
•Staff to obtain cost estimates for monument repairs.
