Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Executive Committee

Meeting Minutes

PIEROG, Allan, Bates, Gumz, Juby, Kious, Lenert, Lewis, Linder, Molina, Sanchez,

Strathmann, Surges, Tepe, Williams and ex-officio Roth (County Vice Chair)

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

1:00 PM

County Board Room

***SPECIAL MEETING***

Call to Order

Chairman Pierog called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM.

Roll Call

Chairman Corinne M. Pierog

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Leslie Juby

PRESENT

Board Member Chris Kious

Board Member Anita Lewis

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Board Member Vern Tepe

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Clifford Surges

Board Member Mavis Bates

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Myrna Molina

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE

ABSENT

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Gripe, Penesis*, Young; Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson;

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock* & staff Lasky*, Peters; SA Mosser* & staff Frank;

KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert*; Auditor Wegman; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt; and

members of the press and public.

(Committee Member Sanchez arrived remotely at 1:02 p.m.)

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Pierog announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Sanchez and

Surges attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

Pledge of Allegiance

Chairman Pierog asked Committee Member Strathmann to lead the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes: None

Public Comment

Kane County resident, Steve Leffler, (Committee Member Allan arrived in-person at

1:03 p.m.) stated he is participating in one-month of no driving. He explained that as he

has been riding his bike, he has noticed that a gallon of gas in under $3.00. He spoke

on the proposed increase to the County's Gas Tax. He explained that the average

driver travels 12K miles per year, and receives about 25 miles per gallon, which

equates to approximately 480 gallons per driver every year. Leffler stated that if the

Gas Tax is increased by three cents per gallon, it would equate to $14.40 annually per

driver (Committee Ex-Officio Roth arrived in-person at 1:04 p.m.) to fund Kane

County's Judiciary and Public Safety partners. He noted that those who do not like the

proposed increase, to ride a bike and save the money.

Brian Anderson, Sugar Grove, spoke on the Gas Tax. He stated that he understands

the need for the increase, but is confused by the information shared. He explained that

some of the Gas Tax funding goes back to the Kane County Division of Transportation

(KDOT), not into the County's General Fund. Currently, the County's Motor Fuel Tax is

at five cents, with a proposed increase of three cents. Anderson stated that Kane

County will have one of the highest Gas Taxes in the State. He explained that those

that live in Elgin, Aurora, Geneva, St. Charles, North Aurora, South Elgin, or

Carpentersville pay a City Motor Fuel Tax. Therefore, these areas are being taxed a

State Motor Fuel Tax, a City Fuel Tax, and a County Motor Fuel Tax. Anderson stated

that the County Board is not doing the hard work. He noted that it is too late in the year

now to accomplish the necessary work due to a balanced budget being presented at

next month's County Board meeting. However, Anderson stated that in the new year,

the County faces a new financial disaster due to the depletion of County reserves. He

spoke on Resolution TMP-25-1212 that was presented at the last Transportation

Committee meeting regarding the $1M expansion project at Randall Road and Hopps.

He stated that the County needs to pause this project. He added that this project is

based on the County's 2050 Plan. Anderson stated that the County's current population

is 513K, and continues to shrink. Within the 2050 Plan, it is estimated that the County's

growth will increase to 800K by 2050. However, the County is seeing a decrease in the

population. Anderson stated that pausing the expansion project would save the County

$7M.

Yvonne Dinwiddie, Batavia, explained that she read through the County's proposed

FY2026 Budget and the additional taxes on groceries. Additionally, she read in the

newspaper that Governor Pritzker is dismissing the Chicago Bears' property tax break.

Dinwiddie explained that in Kane County, $554,261,455 of the property tax revenue

goes to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. She added that new TIF Districts are

being proposed, such as the Shodeen one in Campton Hills and the Crown one in

Sugar Grove. Dinwiddie explained that if the County wants to balance the budget, they

should make TIF Districts a line item, start understanding what TIFs actually do, and

how they are abused. She stated that County residents cannot afford any more taxes.

She added that every time taxes are increased for each family, home bills go up. It is

cumulative. This is all increasing, while income continually decreases. Dinwiddie stated

that if residents cannot afford to live in a place due to high taxes, then what will the

future hold? She urged the County Board to cut back and to live within their means.

Michelle Bettag, St. Charles, explained that she has been attending County Board

meetings for three years, and month after month she has seen nothing but spending.

She spoke on the salary increases for elected officials. She stated that numerous

County residents have been saying that the County has a problem with overspending

and that it is enough. But, the County Board continues to do so. Bettag spoke on the

votes supporting the $8.3M worth of machines the County purchased, the $110M

Government Building, $40M County Health Building in Elgin, $50K Climate Action Plan,

and nearly $1M spent on plans for a Government Center that was never addressed.

She stated that the County has a proposed 60% increase to the County's Motor Fuel

Tax up for a vote. She explained that 18.4 cents on the Motor Fuel Tax comes from the

Federal Government, and 48.3 cents comes from the State of Illinois. This puts Kane

County as the third highest county out of 102. Bettag added that 98 counties out of the

102 do not have a Motor Fuel Tax. She stated that as the County Board compares

Kane County to the other collar counties, they will see that the County is one of the

highest taxed counties in the country. She spoke on the Retail Sales Tax Referendum

that was included on the Consolidated Election that could have raised $51M for public

safety. She noted that there has been talks of putting this back on the ballot. However,

the tax did not get approved last time, and it will not be passed. Bettag stated that the

County has a spending problem, and they are continually affecting those that need

their services and help the most.

Carl Dinwiddie. Batavia, endorsed the comments that were said by the previous

speakers. In his experience as a federal employee for 45 years, he worked for ten

different chairmen in Washington. He stated that one of these chairmen told him that

the most dangerous thing in Washington is putting a microphone in front of a politician.

He stated that as a citizen, the most dangerous thing in America is for all government

bodies to reach into his pocket, pull out his wallet, and take whatever money they want.

He noted that the residents of Kane County cannot afford more taxes. He explained

that the number one issue for numerous residents is their property taxes. As he has

spoken to several Batavia residents, he learned that many of the elderly have to work

in order to afford to live in Kane County. Dinwiddie stated that failing the plan is

planning to fail. He stated that this budget deficit should have been solved. (Committee

Member Surges arrived remotely at 1:17 p.m.)

Kane County resident, Ginger Romano, questioned the distinction between the Grocery

Retailers' Occupation Tax and the Grocery Service Occupation Tax. She requested a

list of grocery stores/businesses that would be charging the Grocery Tax in

unincorporated Kane County. She thinks that townships will annex their unincorporated

areas into their municipalities, so that they can receive the tax revenue. She noted that

there are not a lot of businesses in unincorporated Kane County that is taxable. While

listening to the last Legislative Committee meeting, Romano heard that the State of

Illinois wants to implement more taxes, such as a Delivery Tax, to take citizens' hard

earned dollars. She questioned if the Committee has reviewed State Statute 55 ILCS

5/5-106.9 of the Grocery Tax. She informed the Committee that the revenue collected

from the Grocery Tax is deposited into a Grocery Fund and a Trust Fund. She

questioned where the money is actually going. Romano spoke on her husband's career

in the trucking industry. She explained that the owner of the trucking business needed

to shut down because they were unable to afford to operate in Illinois. She added that

a lot of trucking businesses either do not start their business in Illinois, or they end up

moving it to another state where they are not taxed.

Denise Theobald, Geneva, voiced her appreciation to the County Board on their hard

work on the budget deficit. She stated that no one wants taxes, but the revenue is

needed. She explained that the proposed Gas Tax would cost approximately $15.00

per year per driver, and proposed Grocery Tax would cost an additional $66.00 per

year per household. She stated that these taxes would be included at the truck stop

and paid for by purchasers from outside the County. She explained that the County has

been looking into the budget cuts and the people that would be affected by the

proposed budget. She stated that these solutions, such as these proposed taxes,

would help close the budget gap. She believes these taxes and the Sales Tax

Referendum were good ideas to lessen the financial burden to Kane County residents.

She explained that the Sales Tax Referendum would have placed a $.75 tax on every

$100.00 spent. She noted that the proposed Sales Tax would have only applied to

retail goods, restaurants, and gasoline. Theobald explained that many who would pay

this tax would have come from outside of the County. She understood that the

measure was not clearly presented to the community and that the tax was mislead in

many ways. However, this does not mean the County cannot try again. Theobald

stated that the County must prepare, present the facts, and show the public why this is

a responsible solution. She explained that residents will ensure that opponents will not

mislead the public. Regarding the claims that the County Board is overspending, she

stated that if the proposed budget cuts are painful, then it would suggest that the

budgeted funds are necessary. She explained that there is room to trim excess

spending, but fiscal responsibility means preparing for the future and generating

revenue and meeting inflation needs. The County needs to make sure the community

remains safe and supported. Theobald stated that there are many factors behind the

budget deficit, but how the County got to this point does not matter. She called out the

constant sabotaging of select elected officials and Board members for political

purposes and the need to find common ground. She explained that the County Board

and elected officials need to put the County and it's people first and look at all the

financial solutions. She concluded with taxes are not liked, but they are needed.

Kathy Showalter, Geneva, stated she has lived in Kane County since 1971. She has

raised three boys and has nine grandkids that all reside in Kane County. Currently, she

explained that her middle child and family had to move in with her. As a active senior,

she walks around her neighborhood regularly. She has witnessed numerous children

coming back home to live due to financial strains. She added that the County is taxing

their residents out of Kane County. She understands that budget cuts need to be

made, but are not being done. Showalter stated that the County's budget is way over

what it should be. She explained that every resident runs their households on a budget.

If they do not have the funds, they go without. She urged the County to think about

budgets. She added that a lot of the elderly of Kane County are hurting. She asked the

Board to not raise the taxes.

Monthly Financials (K. Hopkinson)

None.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Authorizing an Increase in the County Motor Fuel Tax

Committee Member Tepe explained that Committee Member Lenert and himself

led a working group who collected input and received help from County Board

members and three department heads: ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock, HRM

Exec. Dir. Lobrillo, and Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson. He stated that as of today, the

Committee needs to vote to place the FY2026 Budget on display. He explained

that Lenert and himself have been working on the County's General Fund, which

is the fund that funds salaries and is under the County Board's control. As such,

Lenert and himself have been working with departments and elected officials.

Tepe stated that they have received cooperation in reducing their budgets for

FY2026. As of today, he explained that the Committee is being asked to

approve the FY2026 Budget as it has been submitted. However, in order for the

Committee to approve the budget this additional revenue from the Motor Fuel

Tax is needed. Tepe explained that this resolution is proposing a three cent

increase to the County's Gas Tax. He stated that this increase would bring in

$6.5M in revenue that would be allocated to the Kane County Division of

Transportation (KDOT). Tepe explained that the County Board has already

agreed to reduce KDOT's portion of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Sales

Tax for public safety. He stated that their suggestion is to take another $4M from

KDOT's RTA Sales Tax to the County's General Fund, which will net $2.5M from

the Gas Tax to KDOT. He explained that KDOT's FY2026 Budget is slim to the

point that there is concerns about resurfacing the roadways in the future. He

stated that the additional $4M that will be allocated to the General Fund would

help negotiate with the key elected officials on budget changes and

recommendations in the coming weeks. Much discussion ensued.

County Board

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

County Board

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Michelle Gumz

SECONDER:

Deborah Allan, Michelle Gumz, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Anita

Lewis, Michael Linder, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, and

Vern Tepe

AYE:

Clifford Surges, and Bill Roth

NAY:

Mavis Bates, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, and Rick Williams

ABSENT:

Establishing and Imposing a County Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a

County Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the County of Kane

Committee Member Juby explained that it is her understanding that this Grocery

Tax is the continuance of the tax that was repealed by the State of Illinois. She

assumed that if an establishment has been charged the State tax before, then

this will allow them to continue. However, if they did not have the tax before, a

new tax will not be imposed.

Committee Member Kious asked where most of this revenue would be

generated. Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated that the tax is imposed on items that

are considered a grocery. She explained that any retail establishment could

impose the tax, such as grocery store and gas stations. Hopkinson addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

County Board

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

County Board

Michelle Gumz

Chris Kious

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Deborah Allan, Michelle Gumz, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Anita

Lewis, Michael Linder, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, and

Vern Tepe

AYE:

Clifford Surges, and Bill Roth

NAY:

Mavis Bates, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, and Rick Williams

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for Public Defender’s FY2026 Budget

Chairman Pierog explained that agenda items C, D, and E were postponed until

the next Finance Committee meeting scheduled for October 29, 2025 at

yesterday's Special Finance Committee meeting. Additionally, agenda item F

failed at yesterday's Special Finance Committee meeting and should not move

forward.

SAO Chief of Civil Frank explained that since these items were placed on

today's agenda, they will need to be addressed. He advised the Committee to

read each one aloud, and as long as there is no motion, the resolution would

fail.

This resolution failed due to lack of motion.

Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for Court Services FY2026 Budget

This resolution failed due to lack of motion.

Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for Judiciary’s FY2026 Budget

This resolution failed due to lack of motion.

Amending Ordinance 24-216

This resolution failed due to lack of motion.

Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Appropriations and Budget

Committee Member Gumz motioned to amend this resolution to change the

"Passed by the Kane County Board on" date from October 22, 2025 to

November 10, 2025, Kious seconded. Motion carried unanimously by roll call

vote.

County Board

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

County Board

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Chris Kious

SECONDER:

Deborah Allan, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Anita Lewis, Michael

Linder, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Clifford Surges, and Bill Roth

NAY:

Mavis Bates, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, and Rick Williams

ABSENT: