DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Health & Human Services Committee met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, May 5, 2025, in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Rukisha Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The members present were Tim Bagby, Kim Coovert, Savannah Ilenikhena, Elizabeth Lundeen, and Chair Rukisha Crawford. A quorum was established with five members present and two absent.

Michelle Pickett arrived at 6:33 p.m., and Meryl Domina arrived at 6:36 p.m. DeKalb County Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (DCRNC) Administrator Bart Becker, Mental Health Board Director Deanna Cada, and Jordan Healthcare Group Consultant Thomas Annarella were also present.

Chair Crawford noted the agenda erroneously reflects the meeting start time as 6:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Kim Coovert moved to approve the agenda and Savannah Ilenikhena seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Tim Bagby moved to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2025 and the April 8, 2025 meetings. Elizabeth Lundeen seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mary Hatch of Sycamore shared experiences and perspectives relating to the support of adding the Accounting Clerk A position to the DCRNC business office.

Janet Burkes of DeKalb Township stated that the county has a wonderful DCRNC Oversight Board with decades of financial experience and urged the Health & Human Services Committee to follow the advice of the board.

RESOLUTIONS

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

Michelle Pickett moved to advance Resolution R2025-059 to the full county board. Tim Bagby seconded the motion. Following discussion and explanation provided by Bart Backer, the motion carried.

R2025-060 – A Resolution Awarding Grant Year 2026 Senior Service Tax Levy Funding. Deanna Cada reviewed the budgeted Senior Services amount and the funds available for one time “add-on” grant awards.

Committee members reviewed the agency funding requests that were presented during previous meetings. The committee considered utilizing an additional $54,008 for grant funding made available on a one-time basis from the Senior Services fund.

The committee determined the following agency allocation recommendations, which include $54,008 in one-time grant award “add-ons”:

Barb City Manor $30,000

Elder Care Services $70,000

Family Service Agency $65,000

Fox Valley Older Adult Services $65,000

Hope Haven of DeKalb County, Inc. $34,000

Kishwaukee Family YMCA $4,500

Opportunity House $33,000

Prairie State Legal Services $4,500

Rooted for Good $22,000

Voluntary Action Center $230,000

Total Amount Allocated: $558,000

Savannah Ilenikhena moved to advance Resolution R2025-060 to the full county board. Meryl Domina seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Kim Coovert inquired about the next steps for Resolution 2025-059 and expressed concern over the lack of financial details provided to the committee on the proposed position. Crawford stated that the Finance & Administration Committee will consider the resolution.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Savannah Ilenikhena and seconded by Michelle Pickett to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/minutes-hhs-05052025.pdf