Here are also some highlights from board meetings in April, May, and June, 2015, from County Board Chairman Mark Pietrowski:
April
In April, the board passed a resolution calling for the Governor and General Assembly to Protect Necessary Funding for county government and moved that the Illinois General Assembly reconsider proposals to reduce funding for county government and to responsibly fund county government at levels that allow counties to carry out their necessary and legally obligated duties and functions. The board recognizes that the budget is a major challenge in Illinois but also recognize that local governments have to deal with unfunded mandates from the state and our own budget concerns.
May
The board passed a resolution urging the reform of our criminal justice system by our representatives at the state and federal level. Our representatives are urged to enact legislation to reduce arbitrary mandatory sentences, encourage judges to release non-violent, non-flight-risk detainees on their own recognizance, decriminalize “nuisance” offences, provide for the support of community-based mental health treatment alternatives to incarceration, and/or other such action that will reduce jail populations to include only those who pose real risks to themselves or the community.
We also passed a Temporary Hiring Policy to be in effect which seeks to have department heads present to the board when there is a vacancy in their department so the board can determine if they are allowed to fill the position or if it needs to remain unfilled or eliminated.
The Sober Living Home, which will allow for up-to 7 males to live in at one time, was approved by the Sycamore City Council in May and an intergovernmental agreement was signed by the county. The house located at 491 E. State St., Sycamore has officially been purchased with improvements currently being made. The continued emphasis on treatment for individuals under an addiction rather than jail time is something the county remains very interested in.
June
In June the county board approved amending the DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance to allow permitted roadside stands to sell “branded products” and to eliminate the date restrictions of when stands can be operational. The board continues to seek opportunities to encourage local entrepreneurs to setup in DeKalb County and grow with us.
The county board was presented with a five-year property tax abatement request from 3M in which they would build a $40 million, nearly one million square foot facility in the county and maintain or increase employment above 250. While many board members dislike tax abatement programs, this does represent a net gain in tax revenue to the county and is a positive development. It will also free up their current facility so that another company can located in DeKalb County. It is important to note that even if another company does not immediately go into the facility after 3M leaves it in August 2016, the property will still be paying the same amount of property taxes.
Finally, the DeKalb County Board approved of a precinct consolidation plan put forth by the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder which will reduce the amount of precincts in the county and offer a savings of around $50,000.
In this newsletter you can also read about the Jail Expansion Plan from Vice-Chairman, Tracy Jones, who I appointed as the Chair of the Jail Solutions Committee. I am proud of the committee’s effort to bring forward a plan that will not raise taxes and their continued focus on long-term jail reduction programs, etc… which will increase the lifespan of the expansion.
Sincerely,
Mark Pietrowski
DeKalb County Board Chairman
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