DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Health & Human Services Committee met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, October 6, 2025, in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Rukisha Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. The members present were Tim Bagby, Kim Coovert, Meryl Domina, Suzanne Fahnestock, Michelle Pickett, and Chair Rukisha Crawford. A quorum was established with six members present and one member absent. Elizabeth Lundeen was absent.

Rehab & Nursing Center (DCRNC) Administrator Bart Becker, Public Health Administrator Lisa Gonzalez, DCRNC Oversight Board Vice Chair Mary Hatch, Director of Health Protection Greg Maurice, and DCRNC Oversight Board Chair Anna Wilhelmi were also present.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Michelle Pickett moved to approve the agenda and Suzanne Fahnestock seconded the motion. The motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Kim Coovert moved to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2025 meeting, Suzanne Fahnestock seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Annual Report

DCRNC Oversight Board Vice Chair Mary Hatch reviewed the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Annual Report contained in the meeting packet. She outlined that the Transitional Care Unit was opened in 2024, and that reliance on temporary/agency staffing has been greatly reduced. Hatch mentioned that the ratings for various services provided by the DCRNC have improved, and a new Community Laison position has been created to increase census and streamline the admissions process. She stated that the number of hospice contracts has increased and staffing changes have been made to improve care and reduce costs. Hatch reviewed that operating performance has improved and that the center is well positioned to provide excellent care for generations to come.

Tim Bagby expressed concern that the background provided in the report relating to the architectural and engineering costs and the temporary halting of the expansion project isn’t correctly represented. Bagby stated that construction was halted for the purpose of protecting the residents during COVID. Hatch and DCRNC Operating Board Chair Anna Wilhelmi stated they will connect with Bagby to review the information and will correct the report.

Wilhelmi thanked Hatch for her work on the report and on the amended bylaws.

Review of DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Amended Bylaws

Mary Hatch distributed the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Oversight Board Proposed Bylaws Revisions Executive Summary to the committee members. Hatch provided background on the establishment of the Oversight Board and stated that the current bylaws originated with the Rehab & Nursing Center Operating Board. She stated that the proposed changes in the bylaws will assist the Oversight Board in more effectively fulfilling its role.

Hatch reviewed details of the proposed changes, and DCRNC Administrator Bart Becker provided additional insight on the recommended revisions.

Committee members expressed the desire to have the State’s Attorney’s office review the proposed changes, and Bagby added that input should be sought from Administration. Hatch emphasized that this review serves as the start of the conversation, as it relates to the bylaws revisions.

Kim Coovert expressed concern that the proposed changes outlined for Article VI, Sections 6 and 7 be reviewed with the appropriate personnel to ensure understanding of roles and responsibilities. The meeting attendees agreed that the content of these sections should be reviewed with County Administration.

Chair Crawford thanked Wilhelmi and Hatch for their report and presentation.

ORDINANCES

O2025-14 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 39 “Water Wells” of the DeKalb County Code Public Health Administrator Lisa Gonzalez introduced Director of Health Protection Greg Maurice, who provided an overview of both ordinances O2025-14 and O2025-15. Maurice explained that the code amendments contain updates of terms and references, and that the water well code also contains a recommendation to eliminate well pits upon property sales/transfers. He emphasized that there is a state code already in place that addresses water wells, sewers and sewage disposal and that the proposed updates to the county code align the county with the state code.

Tim Bagby moved to advance O2025-14 to the full county board. Michelle Pickett seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

O2025-15 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40 “Sewers and Sewage Disposal” of the DeKalb County Code

Suzanne Fahnestock suggested that the code language for Sec. 40-B-6 be revised to state that the plans for an installation must “meet” the requirements vs. stating that the plans “are not less than” the requirements. Maurice agreed to make the change.

Michelle Pickett motioned to move O2025-015 to the full county board. Suzanne Fahnestock seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

Chair Crawford thanked Maurice for presenting the information.

RESOLUTIONS

R2025-92 – A Resolution Authorizing the DCRNC Administrator to Execute the Skilled Nursing Facility Agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois on behalf of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

Bart Becker reviewed that the agreement referenced in the resolution is similar to the others that have been adopted. He added that the agreement will allow county employees and the community better access to the services provided by the DCRNC.

Michelle Pickett motioned to move R2025-92 to the full county board. Kim Coovert seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

R2025-93 – A Resolution Authorizing the DCRNC Administrator to Create a Temporary, Additional Maintenance Director Position in the DCRNC Roster to Allow for Enhanced Onboarding and Training Needed Resulting from the Long-Time Maintenance Director’s Upcoming Retirement

Bart Becker reviewed that the current Maintenance Director has been with the DCRNC for thirty six years and that the Maintenance Director is retiring May 1st. Becker outlined the specialized knowledge that is required of the Maintenance Director to facilitate an efficient and safe operation. He emphasized the need for a significant period of training for the incoming Maintenance Director to ensure adequate understanding of the operation.

Following committee member inquiries regarding the funding of the position, Becker listed several funding sources, including unused money that had been budgeted for a walk-in cooler, higher-than-projected census numbers, and HVAC efficiency gains.

Suzanne Fahnestock stated that she understands the need for the role and requested that the funding source be documented in the resolution. Tim Bagby suggested that salary funds may be available in the budget due to the resignation of the Community Liaison. He agreed that it would be good to outline the funding source.

Michelle Pickett suggested that Becker be prepared to outline the funding details to the Committee of the Whole. Wilhelmi emphasized that timing is critical and asked the committee to forward the resolution to the full county board.

Fahnestock emphasized the importance of having the funding source documented in the resolution and stated that she will be voting “no” if the funding details are not stated in the resolution.

Pickett requested that Becker prepare a document to present to the Commitee of the Whole that outlines the funding details. Bagby added that he prefers the funding to come from other salary lines.

Michelle Pickett moved to advance R2025-93 to the full county board. Meryl Domina seconded the motion and the motion carried via voice vote.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Suzanne Fahnestock requested that the committee draft an ordinance to better enable the county to prevent animal abuse.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Tim Bagby and seconded by Kim Coovert to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/packet-hhs-11032025.pdf