Joint Planning coming to end

 

 

By Adam Poulisse
Staff writer

Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Updated Feb 18, 2016 at 8:46 PM

BELVIDERE — City and Boone County leaders are divided over a decision to end a decades-long agreement to jointly plan for economic development and handle other planning and zoning matters.

Boone County Board members voted 8-4 on Wednesday to give the city a 90-day notice that the planning agreement would end after some 40 years. Through the agreement, a joint Planning Department and Belvidere-Boone County Regional Planning Commission was established to create synergy on planning and zoning efforts. The original agreement has been amended over the years.

Those in favor of the split say it will provide more clarity to employees, while those against it say canceling the agreement sends the wrong message to Belvidere.

County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, along with board members Denny Ellingson , Sherry Giesecke , Raymond Larson , Jeff Carlisle , Karl Johnson, Brad Stark and Cory Lind voted in favor of the divorce. Ken Freeman , Sherry Branson , Craig Schultz and Cathy Ward were opposed.

"This could easily turn out to be a much better relationship," Walberg said. "It's just very difficult to share an employee and have very clear guidance to give to the employee."

Today , Walberg penned a letter to Belvidere Mayor Michael Chamberlain explaining his position.

"I know we disagree on the future direction of this department but I believe each government having its own employees will improve our working relationship related to planning matters," Walberg's letter reads. "This doesn't have to be a negative in our intergovernmental relationship, on the contrary having employees with clear lines of direction and authority will improve the services we deliver to our residents."

Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain said the board's decision isn't a surprise.

"We've been expecting it," he said. "It's very shortsighted by the county and more about county leadership than anything."

The Belvidere-Boone County Planning Department has three employees: Interim Planning Director Kathy Miller, who is retiring in March, an administrative assistant who is a city employee, and associate planner Gina DelRose .

DelRose said today she hasn't discussed the decision with the county, and declined to comment on the board's decision.

About $18,000 in plat fees between the city and county and about $100,000 combined from the city's and county's general funds paid to operate the Planning Department, County Administrator Ken Terrinoni said. Transfers from the city and county, a village of Poplar Grove fee and miscellaneous grants also funded the department.

Ward, R-2, attempted to table the motion, but it failed 8-4.

She said the agreement is important because it allows city and county leaders to communicate effectively, work together and share development costs.

"This is like a slap in the face — 'We don't need you, we don't want you, we don't need to be a part of you,' " Ward said. "Half the people that live in Boone County live in Belvidere. Most of the City Council didn't know this was going to take place."

Giesecke, R-1, said it is a "bad agreement," and the board's decision doesn't end the county's association with Belvidere.

"What we are doing is, we are canceling this contract," she told the board, "and if anyone took the time to realize that even if we decided to continue on, this contract is just built in to make people fail."

"You can't terminate this relationship," Giesecke said. "The relationship is there. The contract is being terminated."

Adam Poulisse: 815-987-1344; apoulisse@rrstar.com; @adampoulisse