Below are my own comments regarding the December County board meeting and upcoming county meetings.—Bill Pysson
Major actions of note from December 18, 2013 County Board Meeting
1. Discussed and voted on “No Confidence” in the Chairmanship of Bob Walberg. The motion was unsuccessful 4-8. Bill voted for “No Confidence”. Bill spoke at the meeting of Mr. Walberg’s lack of leadership with particular emphasis on Mr. Walberg’s refusal to seek answers on the questions of funding the Veterans Assistance Commission. For more coverage on the no confidence issue go to: http://www.wrex.com/story/24258179/2013/12/19/one-third-of-boone-county-board-votes-no-confidence-in-chairman or http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131218/NEWS/131219397
2. Voted to grant $25,000 to the Veterans Assistance Commission for current operation. The county board has (in Bill’s opinion) been less than cooperative with the VAC. It began with the County Administration/Board Leadership refusal to really discuss with the BelowVAC providing county office space and used office equipment back in January 2013. Based upon a lack of action the VAC borrowed money and rented their own space and purchased necessary office equipment and supplies. The county then “advanced” money to the VAC to begin operations and pay back the loan from the veterans’ organizations for the rent and purchases. There still is not a clear statement or agreement regarding funding of FY 2013 VAC operations and FY 2014. Mr. Walberg and his majority refuse to address the issue as to what amounts the county must fund from the general fund and what sums should come from the VAC referendum. Based upon an initiative from the Cathy Ward and other members of the minority (including BILL) the $25,000 approved by the county board at the December board meeting was changed to a grant rather than an advance. (Vote 10-2 to change to “grant” and then 12-0 to grant the $25,000 from the general fund) Still in question are the previous “advances”: Must any of the “advances” be repaid? When will VAC referendum funds be used for their operations? Will any of the VAC’s future operating costs be funded by the county’s general fund? The most discouraging item is that Mr. Walberg does not wish to seek answers to any of these questions. These are not mute questions-- the VAC has raised these and other questions —to some degree the questions concern state law and court decisions--the county has thus far sought little legal advice on these matters.
3. County Board granted authority to the Human Service Subcommittee to solicit proposals for architectural services for the design of the animal services building. It is yet to be determined if the new building will be bid or lease/purchase.
4. County authorized annual job evaluations of Building & Zoning Enforcement, Geographic Information Systems and Animal Service Departments. See the flowchart: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9EC7VG712E26/$file/Employee%20Evaluation%20Flowchart_201312121359.pdf This action was largely initiated by Bill P. During budget hearings Ms. Tobin, Assistant Administrator, was granted a substantial merit raise. Questions by Bill substantiated that only Admin Department personnel were actually evaluated. Performance of other members of the staff had not been reviewed in years and effectively they were not considered for such a merit raise. Hopefully all personnel will now have annual evaluation. Job performance reviews are vital to managing personnel.
5. For a complete agenda go to: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2012-18-2013.pdf or Board Doc’s: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Public
Major Actions Anticipated for County Board in January 2014.
1. The Wind Turbine Ordinance regarding Setbacks will hopefully be voted at the January 15, 2014 county board meeting. This will be coming to the county board directly from the recently completed hearings at the Zoning Board of Appeals.
2. Building & Zoning Subcommittee (Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 6:oo PM) will tentatively spend their one hour scheduled meeting on zoning enforcement.
3. Human Services Subcommittee (Thursday, January 2, 2013, 6:ooPM, see: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/Health%20Agenda%20Jan.%202,%202014.pdf ) deals again with several controversial issues: Water sampling at Plote gravel pit, setting up interviews for architects for new animal services building, a complaint regarding Heath Code enforcement.
