Maria Teresa Forrest

The Board meeting included the recognition of staff service awards, public comments regarding animal welfare concerns related to steer tailing, and various committee reports. Actions taken included the appointment of a member to the Board of Review, the approval of special use permits for a private airstrip and a commercial solar facility, and a map amendment for a residential development. The Board adopted several watershed-based plans as amendments to the Stormwater Management Plan, authorized extensions and name changes for solar project permits, awarded multiple infrastructure and maintenance material contracts, approved a memorial bench installation, and authorized various financial claims, budget amendments, and grant agreements for public transportation.

The board meeting focused on several key items including the recognition of employee service awards, public comments regarding animal cruelty and potential ordinances for steer tailing events, and the procurement of a new dump truck for the Highway Department. The board also addressed labor and compensation adjustments for the Rehab and Nursing Center, approved amendments to civil fees for the Circuit Clerk, and authorized the abatement of a property tax levy. Additionally, the board approved various county claims, authorized job reclassifications, established a co-responder position in the Sheriff's Office, and appointed a new County Administrator.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda as amended and the minutes from the December 2025 County Board Meeting. Employee Service Awards for January 2026 were presented. During public comments, concerns were raised regarding immigration enforcement stops and an incident of animal abuse involving electrocuting steers, as well as the visual impact of local solar field developments. Committee reports included the County Highway Committee awarding the purchase of a Kenworth truck and approving a Joint Funding Agreement for the Plank Road/Lindgren Road Intersection Roundabout project, along with an amendment for Barber Greene Road improvements utilizing TARP Funds. The Finance & Administration Committee passed several resolutions abating property tax levies for the 2025 Tax Year related to Recapture Revenues, the 2020A Refunding Bond Issue, the 2020 Nursing Home Expansion Bond Issue, the 2017 Jail Expansion Bond Issue, and a portion of the Tort and Liability Revenues. Reports of County Officials for December 2025 were accepted and filed. The Executive Committee selected the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor's Bureau as the Agency of Record for Tourism Promotions for the Illinois Office of Tourism FY2026, and appointments were made to the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee for the DCRNC Oversight Board.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the November 2025 County Board Meeting. Employee Service Awards for December 2025 were recognized. The Board approved several appointments to various bodies, including the Board of Health, Community Mental Health Board 708, Emergency Telephone Systems Board (E911), Board of Review, Regional Planning Commission, and Victor-Adam #1 Drainage District. Committee reports addressed designating a section of Barber Greene Road as a Class II Truck Route, authorizing a contract for a new walk-in refrigerator/freezer at the Rehab & Nursing Center, updating the Email Usage Policy, and procuring Cyber Liability Insurance. The Finance & Administration Committee approved payment of County Claims for December 2025, amendments to the FY2025 Budget, set the FY2026 County Tax Levies, and approved the FY2026 Budget. Reports of County Officials for November 2025 were accepted. The Executive Committee authorized an extension for a Special Use Permit for Shenandoah Solar, LLC, and adopted an Amended 2025 DeKalb County Holiday Schedule.

The meeting agenda included administrative items such as Roll Call, Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the agenda. Key discussions involved forwarding resolutions from the County Highway Committee, specifically awarding a contract for a 2027 Kenworth truck and entering into joint funding agreements for roadwork sections like Plank Road/Lindgren Road Intersection Roundabout and Barber Greene Road. The Finance & Administration Committee presented several resolutions for abating property tax levies related to various bonds and revenues, and approving county claims for December 2025. The Executive Committee recommended selecting the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor's Bureau as the Agency of Record for Tourism Promotions. The agenda also included appointments for the month, including members for the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee for the DCRNC Oversight Board.