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DeKalb Times

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

DeKalb County Board met May 21

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Suzanne Willis, DeKalb County Board Chair | DeKalb County

Suzanne Willis, DeKalb County Board Chair | DeKalb County

DeKalb County Board met May 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

1. Roll Call

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3. Approval of Agenda

4. Approval of Minutes:

a. April 16, 2025 County Board Meeting

5. Communications & Proclamations:

a. Employee Service Awards – May 2025

6. Public Comments

Any member of the public may address the County Board for up to 3 minutes on any topic of their choosing. There will be no yielding of time to other members of the public and agenda time for public comments is limited to 30 minutes in total.

7. Approval of Appointments for this Month:

• Finance & Administration Committee Vice-Chair: Roy Plote appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Jerry Osland until November 30, 2026.

• DCRNC Oversight Board: Rebecca Johnson appointed for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2025 and expiring December 31, 2026.

• Kirkland Community Fire District: Michael Stott re-appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2028.

• Hinckley Community Fire Protection District: Perry Jungels re-appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2028.

• Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District: David Huffman re-appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2028.

• Lee Community Fire Protection District: Cass Larson re-appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2028.

• Malta Community Fire Protection District: Stephanie Mohns appointed for an unexpired three-year term of Mitch Meares expiring April 30, 2027.

• Shabbona Community Fire Protection District: Robert “Hank” Frazier re-appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2025 and expiring April 30, 2028.

• Regional Planning Commission - Alternates

o Geoff Penman (Sandwich) re-appointed for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2025 and expiring March 31, 2028.

o Jolene Willis (Waterman) appointed for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2025 and expiring March 31, 2028.

8. Reports of Standing Committees with Ordinances & Resolutions

PLANNING, ZONING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

a. Ordinance O2025-05—An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a 4.99-Megawatt Commercial Solar Energy System located on the Southeast Corner of Scout Road and Lost Acre Lane in Franklin Township.

TPE Development, LLC d/b/a Turning Point Energy has filed a petition for a Special Use Permit to allow for the construction and operation of a 4.99-megawatt Commercial Solar Energy System, on 30.20-acres of the 40-acre property located on the southeast corner of Scout Road and Lost Acre Lane, in Franklin Township. The required public hearing for the Special Use Permit was conducted by Hearing Officer Dale Clark on March 20, 2025. Mr. Clark has made his findings of fact and recommended that the Special Use Permit be granted with conditions. (Petition FR-25-04)

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2025-05 on April 23rd and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

b. Ordinance O2025-06— An ordinance approving an Interim Special Use Permit to allow for the placement of a mobile home as living quarters for financially or physically dependent relatives on property located at 15137 Whipple Road in Sycamore Township.

Phillip J. Ruff has filed a petition for an Interim Special Use Permit to allow for the placement of a mobile home as living quarters for financially or physically dependent relatives on property located at 15137 Whipple Road in Sycamore Township, said property being zoned A-1, Agricultural District The required public hearing for the Special Use Permit was conducted by Hearing Officer Dale Clark on April 3, 2025. Mr. Clark has made his findings of fact and recommended that the Interim Special Use Permit be granted with conditions. (Petition SY-25-05)

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2025-06 on April 23rd and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

c. Ordinance O2025-07—An ordinance approving an update to the DeKalb County Code regarding consolidating the County’s Flood Plain Regulations to bring all elements of the County’s Code together to meet the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provisions.

According to Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) DeKalb County joined the NFIP on an emergency status in 1974 and joined the regular program in 1985. The current floodplain maps for the county became effective January 2, 2009. Those/these maps for the county shows a broad range of floodplain under our jurisdiction, including areas with mapped floodways and areas without an identified floodway. Participation in the NFIP requires a floodplain development permit review for all types of development activities that are proposed within the identified floodplains. This includes not only buildings, but also filling, grading, paving, excavating, storage of materials, fences, levees, culverts, and the substantial improvement or renovation of existing structures- all interior and exterior work must be permitted regardless of zoning classification or use. This consolidation of regulations in the DeKalb County Code regarding our floodplains eliminates any confusion applicants may encounter and brings our ordinances into compliance with the NFIP Regulations. (Petition DC-25-07)

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2025-07 on April 23rd and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

a. Resolution 2025-057—A Resolution Entering into a Joint Funding Agreement for State Construction work through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State of Illinois for Section #21-00187-02-RS Barber Greene Road and various trails.

This Resolution is to necessitate an agreement with the State of Illinois for the use of federal STU Funds for construction and construction engineering for certain improvements to Barber Greene Road from Peace Road to Somonauk Road and various trails. This project is for the resurfacing of the existing roadway and 4 various trail locations, aggregate shoulders and final striping.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2025-057 on May 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

b. Resolution 2025-058—A Resolution Entering into a Joint Funding Agreement for State Construction work through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State of Illinois for Section #23-00101-01-RS Somonauk Road.

This Resolution is to necessitate an agreement with the State of Illinois for the use of federal STR Funds for construction and construction engineering for certain improvements to Somonauk Road from IL Route 30 to Chicago Road. This project is for the resurfacing of the existing roadway, aggregate shoulders and final striping.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2025-058 on May 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2025-059—A Resolution Authorizing the Creation of an Additional Accounting Clerk A Position in the DCRNC Business Office.

In November of 2023, the DeKalb County Board Authorized the Adoption and Implementation of the Jordan Healthcare Group (JHG) Business Plan for the DCRNC which provided the DCRNC with target census figures, as well as a plan for staffing of the facility. One of the major components of the plan, in conjunction with the opening of the Transitional Care Unit is a shifting model that increases the number of short-term stay residents under Medicare A and Medicare Replacement Plans. In accordance with the JHG plan, the County Board has approved a large number of provider agreements and hospice contracts to increase the census of the facility.

The DCRNC Business Office is currently staffed with one Accounting Clerk A (full-time) and one Accounting Clerk B (part-time). Due to the facility’s increased volume of insurance providers that the DCRNC works with and the corresponding increase in the workload, Jordan Healthcare Group has recommended that the JGH Plan be amended to include a include an additional full-time Accounting Clerk A position in the DCRNC Business Office. Representatives of JHG have recommended that the position handle the following functions for the DCRNC Business Office:

• Maintain Point Click Care database

• Assist with billing and collections

• Accounts receivable management

• Oversee MEDI admissions packets

• Oversee Medicare Part B therapy authorizations

• Oversee appeals on claims denials (clinical appeals done by MDS Coordinator)

• Audit response (clinical audits managed by Administrator)

• Oversee the follow up for insurance claims

• Provide cross-functionality with the other existing positions

The additional Accounting Clerk A position is not included in the FY25 Budget but JHG believes that this position is vital to ensure that the DCRNC Business Office remains functional. The position will be received approximately $57,000 annually plus benefits.

Staff has identified Activities Department Budget as a means to offset the additional position. As of April 30th, 2024, the DCRNC’s Activities department has utilized 9.28% of its overall budget of $419,453.09 for FY2025. According to DCRNC Staff, the new position could be paid for utilizing funds from the Activities budget without having a direct impact on the quality of care for residents due to the generosity of volunteers and the Nursing Home Foundation.

Committee Action: The Health & Human Services Committee considered Resolution R2025-059 on May 5th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

b. Resolution R2025-060—A Resolution Awarding Grant Year 2026 Senior Service Tax Levy Funding.

Voters of DeKalb County approved a .025% tax levy referendum in 1997 to be dedicated for Senior Services. The funds are for the prevention of the premature institutionalization of seniors, keeping seniors out of nursing homes and hospitals which ultimately results in an aggregate cost savings for the taxpayer. Funds are used to pay for services provided by local nonprofit organizations with a portion of funds utilized by the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board (DCCMHB) to offset administrative costs.

With the assistance of Deanna Cada, Executive Director of the DCCMHB, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee solicits applications by agencies that provide these services. The HHS Committee reviews the applications and interviews each agency that requests funding before making a recommendation to the County Board as to how to allocate this year’s funds.

The FY25 Budget includes an allocation of $503,993 for contributions to the agencies that provide these services. Ten agencies submitted requests and the HHS Committee will conduct interviews on April 7th and April 8th. The HHS Committee will discuss the allocation later in this agenda and take action on a recommendation to the County Board at the May HHS Meeting.

In prior years, the HHS Committee has recommended that additional funds be provided to agencies effort to spend down the Senior Services Fund balance ($221,551). In FY24, the HHS Committee recommended a one-time contribution to agencies of $72,908 from the available fund balance or available ARPA Funds. At the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the County Board made the decision to utilize available ARPA funds for the one-time contribution in place of the Senior Services Fund balance in FY24.

Committee Action: The Health & Human Services Committee considered Resolution R2025-060 on May 5th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

FACILITIES & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

No Actionable Items

LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2025-055—A Resolution in Authorizing the County Board Chair to Execute Intergovernmental Agreements Between the DeKalb County Information Management Office, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Municipalities Utilizing DeKalb County’s Network and Infrastructure for the One Solution Mobile Computing Application (MCT).

The Sheriff’s Office and Information Management Office (IMO) have worked with the State’s Attorney’s Office to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for local police and fire agencies in order to allow for them to gain access to The Sheriff’s Office Mobile Computing Application (MCT) software. By allowing this, agencies will be able to access Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) records while in their vehicles. The agencies would be utilizing the Sheriff’s software system, as well as using the County’s network through a secured and isolated connection. The costs of equipment, licensing, maintenance, ongoing support, impact on the County’s network, security measures being put in place, and impact on The Sheriff’s Office and IMO were taken into consideration when developing the IGA. Agencies will be charged fees in order to offset the impact on the computer network and the security means that need to be put in place, so there will be no financial impact on the County. The Sheriff’s Office and IMO feel the benefit to the local agencies and the public warrant allowing this access and would recommend entering into IGA’s with the local agencies who wish to obtain this access.

Committee Action: The Law & Justice Committee considered Resolution R2025-055 on April 28th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

a. Ordinance O2025-08—An Ordinance Implementing a County Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a County Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the County of DeKalb.

In August of 2024, the State of Illinois passed House Bill 3144 (Public Act 103-0781) which repealed the 1% state grocery tax starting on January 1, 2026. The 1% grocery currently applies to “food for human consumption that is to be consumed off the premises where it is sold.” This includes most items that can be purchased at a grocery store with the exception of alcoholic beverages, candy and soft drinks.

House Bill 3144 also allows non-home rule jurisdictions throughout the state to impose local sales taxes on food for human consumption to compensate for the revenue lost due to the repeal of the 1% state grocery tax. Ordinance O2025-08 implements a Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a County Grocery Service Occupation Tax for DeKalb County.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Ordinance O2025-08 on May 7th and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a negative recommendation by a roll call vote, with all votes cast in Opposition.

b. Resolution R2025-061—A Resolution Approving Year-End Budget Amendments for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024.

Resolution R2025-061 brings forward a number of Year-End Budget Amendments. The Interim County Administrator and the County Comptroller have Year-End 2024 Budget amendments. While these amendments are not a requirement, staff believes that the requested amendments help to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and transparency by aligning with the “best practices” of public finance.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Resolution R2025-055 on May 7th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

c. Resolution R2025-062—A Resolution Approving the Payment of County Claims for May 2025, and Off-Cycle Claims Paid During the Previous Month, Including All Claims for Travel, Meals, and Lodging in the Amount of $6,450,980.47.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Resolution R2025-055 on May 7th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

d. Reports of County Officials: Accept and place on file the following Reports of County Officials.

Cash & Investments in County Banks – April 2025

Public Defender’s Report – April 2025

Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – April 2025

Pretrial Report – April 2025

Sheriff’s Jail Report – April 2025

Building Permits & Construction Reports – April 2025

DCRNC Monthly Report – April 2025

DCRNC Quarterly Financial Report – 1st Quarter 2025

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2025-063—A Resolution Reappointing Bridget Nodurft to the position of Supervisor of Assessments for Four-Year Term Effective April 1, 2025.

The DeKalb County Supervisor of Assessments serves four-year terms. The incumbent was appointed by the County Board in March of 2021 until current. Resolution R2025-063 reappoints the incumbent Supervisor of Assessments.

Committee Action: The Executive Committee considered Resolution R2025-063 on May 14th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

9. Approval of 2025 Meeting Schedule

10. Old Business

11. New Business & Referral of Matters to Committee

a. Fairdale Light District

12. Adjournment

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/agenda-cb-05212025.pdf