Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

BERMAN, Lenert, Juby, Lewis, Sanchez, Surges, Tepe, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)

and Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

9:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Berman called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Dale Berman

Board Member Bill Lenert

PRESENT

Board Member Leslie Juby

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Clifford Surges

Board Member Vern Tepe

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Board Member Anita Lewis

ABSENT

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan*, Bates, Gripe, Gumz*, Linder, Molina*, Penesis*,

Strathmann*; Treasurer Lauzen; Auditor Wegman* & staff Lara, Quillinan; Fin. Exec.

Dir. Hopkinson; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock & staff Peters, Chidester*; HRM Exec.

Dir. Lobrillo; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson* & staff Snowden*; KDOT Dir. Zakosek & staff

Rickert; SAO staff Frank, Hunt; KCSO Chief of Admin. Catich; KCAC Admin.

Youngsteadt*; and members of the press and public including Three+One Executive

Chairman & Co-Founder Joseph Rulison.

Remote Attendance Requests

There were no remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: May 20, 2025 and May 28, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Vern Tepe

Public Comment

Kane County resident, Jenine Mehr, stated that she cares deeply about the direction

the County is headed. For decades, she has witnessed the community grow and

change and continues to be concerned with the choices being made and priorities

ignored. Mehr stated that the County is facing a $30M deficit on a $140M budget. She

explained that this is not just a financial imbalance. The County has a growing

government that is spending beyond its means and ignoring the foundation of sound

leadership. Mehr explained that the County Board had the chance to bring millions

back to the County by denying the 12-year TIF extension for Elgin. That one decision

could have returned over $4M to the County. This money could have helped address

the growing deficit and supported critical services. However, the Board decided to

continue supporting developers, even though the County faces hard choices and

budget strain. Mehr stated that recently Governor Pritzker stood in front of the U.S.

Congress defending Illinois sanctuary policies. While, in Illinois, we struggle to fund law

enforcement and protect public safety. Pritzker's state-level reforms have tied the

hands of law enforcement and pushed the burden on tax payers. Meanwhile, Illinois

remains the state with the highest abortion rate in the Midwest. Additionally, there are

active efforts in Springfield to decriminalize prostitution. Lastly, Pritzker has said that he

is open to legislation that would legalize physician-assisted suicides. Mehr stated that

these are not fringe proposals. They are serious policy directions that can affect how

we value life, protect the vulnerable, and define justice in Illinois. Mehr stated that it is

hard to stay focused on what truly matters, fiscal responsibility, public safety, and moral

clarity, when local leadership continues to echo the policies that are failing the people.

She stated that Madam Chairman Pierog has repeatedly aligned with Pritzker's

agenda, even when those policies burden Kane County and compromise the values.

She explained that true leadership means having the courage to speak and break the

party line when it hurts the people they serve. She asked the Committee if the County

has lost their soul and wondered if people still had a conscience. She questioned the

Committee if they cared enough to act to protect what is right and to push back when

the policies are wrong; do what is right. The County cannot keep saying that they care

about people, while continuing to support policies that harm the vulnerable, weaken

families, and violates their conscience. When protection of life and innocence stops,

when truth is treated as negotiable, the core of what it means to lead is lost.

Brian Anderson, Sugar Grove, stated that today's meeting is the fifth one since the

Consolidated Election. He hoped that during today's discussion on the FY2026 Budget,

the Committee will share positive information about balancing the budget. At the last

Executive meeting, he challenged the County Board members to lead by example.

While the County is leaning on the departments/offices to cut expenses, the County

Board should start by rescinding their $5K pay increase as a gesture. This would save

the County approximately $125K. Anderson stated in his 30-years of experience in the

corporate world, the head of Human Resources usually would speak on staffing. He

requested that the Kane County Vice President of Human Resources share with the

County Board what is occurring behind the scenes for accountability. He explained that

the County may have a hiring freeze in place, but departments have continued to hire.

He requested information on the Finance Working Group. Lastly, Anderson thanked

Chairman Berman for his 30 years of service. However, he asked Berman to resign as

Chairman of the Finance Committee in order to spend time with his family.

Denise Theobald, Geneva, stated that she is tired of partisan politics at the federal and

local levels. She called out Treasurer Lauzen on his blame game and attempts to

sabotage the Kane County Board. She explained that Lauzen has continued to do this

for years as County Board Chairman and County Treasurer. Lauzen has lead Kane

County Speaks, which is a far-right political group that physically hands out thousands

of flyers to residents paying bills at the Government Center. These flyers contained

misleading and false information and specifically attacked the County Board and

Madam Chairman Pierog stating incompetence, mismanagement, wasteful spending,

and the reason property taxes have been increased each year. Theobald explained

that only 4% of tax payer's money goes to the County, which pays for crucial services,

such as police and public safety. Lauzen also led a disinformation campaign on the 75

cent per $100 spent tax referendum. The referendum failed because Lauzen

misrepresented numbers at the town hall meetings while passing out flyers. Theobald

believed Lauzen should have supported the referendum because it would have been

the solution to the County's budget deficit. She stated that what is most bothersome is

that Lauzen's disinformation campaigns are aimed at the most vulnerable. He has

continued to use scare tactics and push the sole blame on the County Board. Lauzen

has continued to play on people's emotions and pushes the narrative that this

referendum would have hurt only low-income families. Theobald stated that when

someone is politically motivated, they will do anything to make their opponents look

bad. However, Lauzen seems to forget that he works for the citizens of Kane County.

Theobald stated that citizens expect Lauzen to work harder to better the community

and not to destroy it. She explained that the County does not want a Department of

Government Efficiency (DOGE) solution, but as services are cut and jobs are

eliminated, Lauzen can gleefully play the narrative that it is the County Board's fault.

Theobald stated that Lauzen cannot help the community without properly investing in it.

Yvonne Dinwiddie, Batavia, stated that the people of Kane County elected each of the

members to work for them. She noted that it behooves the County Board to learn about

Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs). The members should look into how many

TIFs there are throughout the County, how many TIFs are proposed, the total amount

of money the County would be receiving from the frozen values, and the difference

between funding lost in tax revenue due to the TIF increment. Dinwiddie stated that a

line item in the budget and financial statements is crucial to the understanding. She

explained that the County Board needs to understand the restrictions of TIF

expenditures. Therefore, they need to know exactly how much money is dedicated for

TIFs in each district, which is in the millions of dollars, annually. Dinwiddie explained

that she has asked these questions to numerous people in Kane County and TIF

Districts, but has received the same answers of. "I don't know", or "we do not have that

information". In fact, she had one County Board Member tell her that Kane County

does not have any TIF Districts. Dinwiddie stated that the Board must understand TIFs,

before taking funding from tax payer money. She welcomed anyone that has questions

on TIFs and provide the benefit of her 40 years of experience studying TIFs.

Kane County resident, Ginger Romano, explained that she comes to the Board

meetings after completing some homework by looking through the agenda packets.

She wondered if anyone else is reviewing the agenda packets, especially the financial

reports. She noted that the County has considered full-time, five-hour work weeks that

would include benefits. She stated that the payment for insurance benefits is a 83/17

spilt. She explained that most people that work in the public sector do not get this.

Romano stated that there are some County staff members that are working 20-hour

work weeks and are being paid $50k annually. She spoke on the Workforce

Development Division. She does not understand the need for the County to be

responsible for residents employment. Additionally, she addressed the Ride-in-Kane

Program. She often sees these buses empty, or filled with those that need to make it to

court. She does not believe this is the County's job. Lastly, Romano commended

Treasurer Lauzen on the interest earned for the County.

Treasurer's Report (C. Lauzen)

Monthly Report

Treasurer Lauzen stated the monthly report was on file. Referencing page six,

Lauzen stated that the County's total demand and investment balances for one

month were $1,848,917.27. He noted that more than two years ago this amount

was the County's entire annual budget. Referencing page seven, Lauzen

addressed the Actual Performance of Interest Earned for Fiscal Years 2023

through 2025. As of May 2025, the County has earned approximately $1.85M.

He noted that the yellow portion of the chart depicts the money that was

collected on behalf of the different taxing agencies. In May 2025, $364K went

back to those taxing agencies. Referencing page eight, Lauzen shared the

Cumulative Interest Earned for Fiscal Years 2021 through 2025 graph. In two

and a half years, the County has collected $47M more. He noted that this may

help the County with balancing the budget. Referencing page 11, Lauzen shared

the Kane County's Portfolio Analysis Summary as of May 31, 2025. He

explained that there is an unrealized $900K on bonds that the County purchased

at a certain interest rate. However, the County does not have to worry about this

because bonds are typically kept until maturity. Lauzen stated that the County

bought at a high yield, but it is possible for interest rates to fluctuate higher. As

the chart shows, there is a 5.6% interest rate and 98.5% discount. (Madam

Chairman arrived in-person at 9:20 a.m.) Referencing page 19, Lauzen shared

the May FY2024 to May FY2025 Comparison between the County's accounts

and investments. He explained that the County has more money in accounts this

year because $100M more has been collected in property taxes than last. As the

County collects more and the accounts fill up, the faster the accounts will empty

when taxing bodies distributions go out. Referencing page 24, Lauzen shared a

quote from President Ronald Reagan: "There is no limit to the amount of good

you can do if you don't care who gets credit". He thanked County staff and

Board Members.

Lauzen introduced Joseph R. Rulison, who is the founder and executive

chairman of Three+One. He explained that Rulison founded the organization

that provides data driven liquidity tools. He stated that in the Treasury, safety of

the County's money is the most important, followed by liquidity and highest

return on investment. He explained that Three+One provides liquidity tools to

County governments, universities, and banks. Lauzen summarized Rulison's

leadership roles. He stated that Three+One is a banks' banker. He explained

that Rulison is a successful entrepreneur in the Financial-Technology field. He

created Muniflow, which was sold to Bank of America for a national rollout.

Lauzen stated that CashVest created by Three+One motto is "clarity of data

gives you confidence in making decisions". Also, as part of Three+One, the

County gained assistance in drafting the Request for Proposal (RFP) when

searching for an operating bank. After the Board made the decision, the County

gained $650K more of interest income and lower expenses. Lauzen stated that

Rulison's firm is highly recommended by the National Association of Counties

(NACo). Just last week, as the banker's work was being reviewed, Three+One

saved the County approximately $10K. Lauzen summarized Rulison's

educational background and awards received. Recently, Three+One was

identified as one of the top 30 companies in America by The Silicon Review.

Lauzen stated that he sees Rulison as his insurance policy. Rulison is the

insurance policy from overlooking opportunities for the County. Lauzen stated

that Three+One has lots of clients nationwide and are only one of their kind in

the country. He explained that Three+One is so confident of their productivity in

services that if they do not produce savings, they do not want to be paid. He

shared the Three+One's numerous partnerships. Lauzen welcomed Rulison to

say a few words.

Three+One Founder and Executive Chairman, Joe Rulison, thanked Treasurer

Lauzen and the Kane County Board for inviting him today. On behalf of

Three+One and NACo, Rulison stated that there is 89K public entities in the

U.S. Of that, there are 3,244 counties. Rulison stated that of those 3,244

counties, there is only one CashVest national leader a year. He announced that

this years recipient of the National Leadership Award from CashVest is

Treasurer Chris Lauzen. Rulison stated that Lauzen is a public official that has

the legislative, executive, and financial background. He commended Lauzen for

continuing to be innovated with new solutions that has led to $47M of interest

earned on tax payers dollars. Kane County taxpayers are earning the highest

interest earned on the dollar of any public entity. This was $47M less the County

needs to take from taxpayers to cover services, fill budget gaps, and fund capital

projects. Rulison stated that last year, the County made an additional $4M on

interest earnings than projected, which outpaced the market by 8%. This is all

because of Lauzen and his staff. Rulison stated that this award is the highest

standard. He reviewed the credentials one must have in order to receive the

National Leadership Award. He stated that Three+One just topped the $3.5B

since it was created. This would have never existed without the data,

technology, and innovation that they have created. He noted that this amount of

money has gone right back to the local communities and taxpayers. Rulison

explained that every single dollar matters and has value that is able to optimize

on top of being safe. He referenced the $600K saved by the County by the RFP

that was broadcasted, while earning the highest benchmark on the dollar.

Rulison presented Lauzen with the award. He asked Lauzen to continue to

educate others and thanked him for his service.

Auditor's Report (P. Wegman)

Monthly Report

Chief Deputy Auditor Lara stated the monthly report was on file. No additional

report was made.

Fleet Audit Report 2025 Presentation

Chief Deputy Auditor Lara presented the 2025 Fleet Audit Report. He stated that

the objective of the audit was to review Kane County's vehicle fleet and the

efficiency and effectiveness of its vehicle management practices in accordance

with the Kane County Code, Section 2-82: Purchase, Replacement, and

Disposal of Vehicles. Additionally, to ensure that the county-wide systems reflect

the actual vehicles in service. Lara listed the several inaccuracies and variances

between the New World ERP Asset Listing Report, 2023 and 2024 Vehicle

Auction Reports, the Human Resources Vehicle Insurance List, Vehicle lists

maintained within each department, and Fleetman Vehicle Management

Inventory System that were found. The first finding of the audit was with New

World ERP Asset Listing Report. Lara explained that using the New World ERP

Asset Listing report as a baseline resulted in errors with the Departmental

Vehicles List, Vehicle Auctions List, and Human Resources' Vehicles Insurance

List. Within the New World ERP Asset Listing Report, there were 97 errors. Lara

explained that the Human Resources Management (HRM) Department utilizes

the Vehicle Insurance List to acquire vehicle insurance policies, county-wide.

Some of the inaccuracies with utilizing this list included, but not limited to, the

VIN number, license plate number, and mileage. Within the Human Resources

Vehicle Insurance List, there was 53 errors. Lara noted that while HRM utilizes

this report to acquire vehicle insurance policies, they have a blanket insurance,

thus the County did not have risk, even though some vehicles were incorrectly

listed. He spoke on the Fleetman Vehicle Management Inventory System. He

explained that Fleetman is a vehicle management inventory system introduced

by the Information Technologies Department (ITD) and was designed to provide

real-time vehicle reporting for purposes, such as insurance coverage, budgeting,

committee review, and vehicle replacements. He noted that the Building

Management Department (BLD) has discontinued using this system, which

resulted in a lack of information for the Kane County Fleet. Lara shared the four

recommendations for the Finance Department, such as considering to establish

a new common database system for vehicle inventory, creating a

comprehensive policy at the county level that establishes specific procedures

with clear responsibilities for each department for maintaining the county-wide

vehicle inventory, keep New World ERP Asset Listing up to date moving

forward, and conduct updated training for departments that enter fleet

information. He reviewed the Finance Department's response to the Fleet Audit.

Lara thanked each Kane County Department and the Finance Department for

their cooperation during the audit. Lara addressed questions and comments

from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Approving May 2025 Claims Paid

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Finance Director's Report (K. Hopkinson)

Monthly Finance Reports

Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson commented on the Fleet Audit. She stated that the

Finance Department did provide a response, but was unsure if it was distributed.

Regarding the errors, she explained that part of the issue is that the Finance

Department tracks assets for one purpose, which is capitalizing assets. The

Human Resources Management Department (HRM) tracks assets for insurance

purposes and other departments/offices that have vehicles, track their assets for

fuel usage and maintenance. Hopkinson stated that there are different purposes

as to why departments/offices track. She noted that the Finance Department's

Asset Management System is not an online, real-time system and is updated

once a year. She stated that HRM does a refresh of their asset management

system periodically. Hopkinson explained that the Finance Department does not

utilize the full VIN numbers of vehicles when entering information into the asset

management system. She stated that this audit was a good one to perform as

there are efficiencies that are now being looked into, such as merging systems

together and utilizing New World.

Hopkinson stated the monthly financial reports were on file. Referencing page

312, she spoke on the County's revenue. The FY2025 to date Local Use Tax

revenue is down, both in budget and prior years. As she has explained, the

number of transactions that are taxed have changed as of January 1, 2025. The

County is not getting the expected tax revenue. Hopkinson explained that the

State Income Tax revenue is higher than budget, but fluctuates each month.

Additionally, the Personal Property Replacement Tax is down, but fluctuates, as

well. Referencing page 313, Hopkinson spoke on the trends in the County's tax

revenues. She reviewed the color coded contents of the graph. She spoke on

the elimination of the Grocery Tax. She stated that the Grocery Tax is only being

eliminated on the State Sales Tax, not on the Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

Sales Tax. She shared that the County receives a share of the State's Motor

Fuel Tax revenue, along with the Local Fuel Tax. Hopkinson stated that both of

these revenues have gone up over time due to inflation. Referencing page 314,

she explained that the State adjusts the State and Local Motor Fuel Tax every

July. On July 1, 2025, the State Motor Fuel tax will increase by 2.82%, which is

an increase from 4.9 cents to five cents per gallon. This could potentially bring in

an additional $300K to the County. Referencing page 321, Hopkinson reviewed

the historical trends of salaries across all funds in the County. As shown, the

expense for salaries in 2024 was $101M. The County has currently expended

$51M on salaries for 2025. The projected forecast for salary expenses is $106M.

Hopkinson reported that the 2025 County Budget Book received the

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance

Officers Association (GFOA). She shared a graph depicting the General Fund -

All Accounts - Balances. On Wednesday, June 19, 2025, the County received its

first installment of property tax revenue into the General Fund, which was $17M

out of the expected $35.9M for the year. As of June 19, 2025, the balance in the

County's General Fund - General Account was approximately $57M. It is

expected to end the fiscal year at approximately $60M in available fund balance.

Hopkinson explained that the General Fund - General Account, prior to this first

transfer of property tax revenue, had a balance of $19M. She stated that next

year, at this time, before Property Tax revenue is deposited, the County may be

in a situation where it does not have $19M in the General Fund - General

Account, which is the portion of the General Fund that is the budget. She is

concerned that next year the County will have to transfer money from the

Special Reserve Fund in to the General Account before Property Tax revenue is

deposited. She shared a snapshot of the General Fund - General Account

Budget to Actual for 2023 through 2025. Regarding expenses, Hopkinson

explained that the County spends down the General Fund - General Account

budget. Regarding revenues, she stated that there are routine revenues, such

as charges for services, fines, grants, and property taxes. There is also

transfers. In FY2023, revenue was higher than expenses due to the transfer of

$17M from COVID Reserve Money into the General Fund. In FY2024, the

County closed out COVID era funds, such as the Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA) Fund and Mass Vaccination Fund. Hopkinson

stated that there were monies left over in those funds, which was transferred to

the General Fund. Transfers are great when the County has additional funding,

however, the County cannot rely on this every year. Hopkinson reviewed

numerous data points for the General Fund - General Account. She stated that

when the one-time transfers are removed, the revenue in the General Fund is

flat from year to year at about $110M. She reviewed the Cash Balances by Fund

as of June 16, 2025. This information is arranged by what the purpose of the

fund is, such as being a restricted fund, restricted special revenue fund, or is it

unrestricted. By nature, if money is in the Special Revenue Fund, it is restricted

by federal rule, state rule, or County Board rule. Hopkinson reviewed the cash

balances of restricted versus unrestricted funds. She shared a chart depicting

the Kane County Salaries - Budget to Actual by Department as of June 19,

2025. She noted that if the expected is higher than actual then a positive

number is reflected. If there is a negative number, the salaries are higher than

expected. Hopkinson shared a table of Kane County Salaries - Budget to Actual

by Fund as of June 19, 2025. She reported that the General Fund total salaries

for FY2025 is $88M. To date, the County has expended $43.4M on salaries.

She pointed out that the largest difference in salary expenses is the Sheriff's

Office. However, the Sheriff's contract was just adopted at County Board last

week and this will add an additional $500K to the General Fund, due to retro pay

from December 2024. Hopkinson shared the Interest Earned Analysis for

FY2021 through FY2024 Actual, FY2025 Budget, and FY2026 Projected. She

addressed the negative revenue. She explained at the end of each fiscal year,

the County must record investments at market value. In 2021 through 2022, the

market cost was lower than market. For accounting purposes, the way to book

the difference is with interest earned, which is why a negative amount is

reflected. Hopkinson explained that Fund 270 - Probation Services - fee revenue

is managed by the Court Services Department and can only be used for specific

purposes. However, the interest accrued in this fund can be deposited in the

General Fund. Lastly, Hopkinson shared information on Kane County Active

Employees by Fund by Department as of June 16, 2025. She stated that most of

the County employees are included in the General Fund. The County has a total

of about 1,400 employees, and approximately 1,100 are covered by the General

Fund. Hopkinson addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Much discussion ensued.

Committee Member Tepe provided an update on the Finance Working Group

and the FY2026 Budget Suggestions and Discussion Items. He stated that the

Working Group members include County Board Member Lenert, County Board

Member Tepe, Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson, ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock, and

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo. He reviewed the FY2024 and FY2025 Budget General

Fund Revenue. The 2024 Actual was $115,051,305, which utilized $9M in

reserves. The 2025 Amended Budget was $112,660,094, which utilized $28M in

reserves. If the County were to continue on this trend, in 2026, the County would

have to utilize $30M in reserves to balance the budget. However, the County

does not have this amount in reserves. Tepe reviewed a few suggestions that

the County could utilze to increase revenue, such as increasing the Property Tax

Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) to the property tax amount, which would

provide the County with an additional $2M, allocating only 50% of RTA funds to

the Division of Transportation, which would bring in $6.854M to the General

Fund, and use the Riverboat funds internally, which would bring $1M to the

General Fund. In doing these three things, the County's available budgeted

revenue would be $122,514,000. Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson and Tepe addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Tepe shared a table depicting the General Fund - Expense by Department. He

provided suggestions that the Finance Committee could make by the end of

June 2025, such as drafting a resolution to increase real estate taxes by PTELL

amount of 2.9%, drafting a resolution to allocate 50% of RTA Tax to Public

Safety, and have an agreement to utilize 100% of the Riverboat funds internally.

He stated that the Working Group suggested that the current committee be

directed to continue to meet and to come back in July with additional budget

suggestions and recommendations for each department and elected official

office. Further discussion ensued.

New Business

Authorizing Renewal of Contract for Toner Cartridges

Approving Transfer of Appropriation and Budget Adjustment within Fund #558

North Impact Fees

Committee Member Surges inquired what the North Impact Fee is. Fin. Exec.

Dir. Hopkinson explained that this fund is one of the Division of Transportation's

impact fee funds. She noted that impact fees are charged to developers. She

stated that the County is divided into three separate areas: North, Central, and

South.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Authorizing Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development for the Homeless Management Information Systems Grant for

Program Year 2025

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Ratifying an Emergency Purchase Affidavit for Contractual Services with MGT

Impact Solutions, LLC for Workforce Development Fiscal Manager Position

Committee Member Juby inquired on what fund this would be coming out of. Fin.

Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated that this would be covered by Fund 480 -

Workforce, which is state grant money.

Committee Member Surges asked if there was an interim director that was

overseeing this division. Additionally, he wondered if this position is

supplementary to the interim director's position and if the help was warranted.

HRM Exec. Dir. Lobrillo stated that this position has been vacant since January

2025. Part of the struggles this department has had, is keeping this position

filled with qualified individuals. Lobrillo explained that this is a key position, so

the County hired the interim director to try to assess and make sure the right

candidate is in place. She explained that the application has been open to the

public for over a month. The County has received several applications and is in

the process of reviewing them. However, this department will fall behind again

and all the work done to get caught up will fail, if the County does not have this

position filled. The current candidate is a former Kane County employee as the

Court Services Fiscal Director. The candidate is familiar with the County's

systems and can keep the department caught up until a permanent replacement

is hired. Lobrillo stated that it is critical that the County maintains these services

so grant funding is not lost.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Authorizing Budget Adjustment to Transfer Funding from the Kane County

Health Department to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office for Crisis

Collaboration Liaison Position

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Jarett Sanchez

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Authorizing Revision to the Kane County Operating Budget Policy for

Emergency Appropriations and Transfers

Committee Vice-Chairman Lenert asked for a brief summary of what this

resolution entails. Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated that the state statute was

amended for the emergency appropriation and budget transfer requirement. She

explained that the County policies that are in place adhere to the state statute

and this resolution would bring the County into compliance. The state statute

indicates that once a budget is adopted, any increase to that budget is

considered an emergency appropriation and requires a two-thirds vote of the

County Board. Additionally, the statute says that any transfer that involve the

personal services category of funds or capital category of funds will also need a

two-thirds vote of the County Board. Hopkinson explained that the state statute

was amended to add these requirements to elected offices. She noted that this

law was enacted on January 1, 2025.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Leslie Juby

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Jarett Sanchez, Clifford

Surges, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Anita Lewis

ABSENT:

Reserve Policy for General Fund - General Account

Committee Member Juby stated that this ordinance has been before the

Committee approximately three times. She explained that the NOW,

THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED clause states that, Fund #001 maintain a

reserve of a minimum of three months of operating expenditures. However,

there is no language indicating that there should be a type of variance for the

two times a year where the County does not have enough funds on hand due to

the timing of the property tax deposits. Juby explained that if the County Board

were to approve this ordinance, they would knowingly be in violation at least

twice a year. In her understanding, she thought that revisions were going to be

made to this ordinance, but they have not.

County Board Member Bates stated that a definition on when these funds could

be used for emergency be added to the ordinance.

Committee Member Surges spoke on his confusion on the necessity of this

ordinance. Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated that it is the County's financial policy

to maintain a 90-day reserve amount for the General Fund - General Account.

She explained that the 90-day reserve policy would be brought to the ordinance

status, which would then be included in the Kane County Code. Much discussion

ensued on the Committee Members' concerns and necessity of this ordinance.

The motion failed by a 0-6 vote. This ordinance will not move onto the Executive

Committee meeting.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVER:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Jarett Sanchez

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

NAY:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, Anita Lewis, Jarett

Sanchez, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe

Revision to the Kane County Financial Policies Regarding Mass Transit Sales

Tax Allocation

Committee Member Juby motioned to amend this resolution to have the NOW,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED state, "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED by the Kane County Board for FY2026 the following policy

language replaces Section 12 Mass Transit Sales Tax paragraph three and four

of the Kane County Financial Policies allowing this transfer for the budget years

of 2026, Tepe seconded. Discussion ensued. Motion to amend passed by a 5-1

vote.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Leslie Juby, and Vern Tepe

Jarett Sanchez, and Clifford Surges

Anita Lewis

AYE:

NAY:

ABSENT:

Directing the Use of the Consumer Price Index Increase in the County Budget

Process as Addressed in the Kane County Board Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Policy

Committee Member Juby shared her appreciation of bringing the Consumer

Price Index (CPI) increase into the budget process. She requested that those

who are seeking to vote yes, include the CPI in the budget process

understanding that this may tie the hands of the County Board due to the budget

being developed off of it. She stated that Committee Members should not vote

yes on this resolution without accepting the use of the CPI. She noted that the

vote on this resolution is the most difficult vote this Committee will make today.

Discussion ensued.

The motion failed by a 2-4 vote. This resolution will not move on to the Executive

Committee meeting.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Vern Tepe

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Leslie Juby, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Dale Berman, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, and Clifford Surges

Anita Lewis

NAY:

ABSENT:

Committee Member Sanchez requested clarification on the ordinance and resolution

that were just voted upon. He asked if today's vote was just an advisory vote and that

these items would continue to move forward for further review of the County Board, or

do these die on the floor at today's meeting. SAO Chief of Civil Frank clarified that the

ordinance and/or resolution can discussed either at another Finance Committee

meeting, or other standing committee. Additionally, the County Board Chairman has

the authority to bring them directly to the Executive Committee or the full County Board.

(Committee Member Sanchez left at 11:24 a.m.)

County Board Member Gripe voiced his appreciation on Madam Chairman's public

comment remarks advising those that are speaking not to address personal matters of

County Board members or staff. However, today, there were two speakers that did just

that. He questioned if a clause could be drafted for each Committee to read aloud

when there are public speakers to address proper etiquette. Discussion ensued.

10.

11.

Old Business

None.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Lenert

12.

Committee Chairman's Comments

Chairman Berman believes that the FY2026 Budget process is on the right track. He

commended everyone for working towards a common solution. He stated that each

member of the Finance Committee has been able to share their recommendations and

suggestions. He explained that this Committee will need to make a recommendation to

the County Board. However, the Board needs to have all the information that this

Committee has in order to make important budgetary decisions. Berman spoke on one

of the public speaker's request of him resigning as Chairman of the Finance

Committee. He opposed the suggestion.

13.

14.

Executive Session (if needed)

None.

Adjournment