5.
6.
Approval of Minutes: February 7, 2024
RESULT:
MOVER:
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Chris Kious
Public Comment (Agenda Items)
Kane County Resident, Susan Webb-Kmiec, spoke on the County's Housing Ready
Plan for Communities. Ever since she moved here, she and her husband have been
impressed with the Fox River Valley area. She spoke on how well everything runs
within the townships, cities, and County. Like many, she has found herself taking this
service for granted. Webb-Kmiec explained that she took the time to learn about local
governments and how they operate. She stated that a great deal of work goes into
making it appear effortless. In looking over today's meeting agenda, she became
interested in the resolution under Development on the Consent Agenda. Affordable
Housing continues to be a big issue in our country. She stated that the implementation
of these plans will need to be well thought out to protect the integrity of the
communities while making housing affordable for those less fortunate. She listed off a
number of people these plans could potentially help. Webb-Kmiec explained that many
residents are not in support of this. Currently, she lives off of S. 7th Street and Prairie
Street in St. Charles. There are many apartments on that side of town that have
income-based rent. There has never been an issue with these tenants. However, the
housing market crisis is getting worse. According to the Kenan Institute for Private
Enterprise, housing costs have become increasingly untenable for renters and buyers
alike. Over 40% of renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of
their income on housing costs. Webb-Kmiec stated that as the communities continue to
grow, the workers must be able to live here. She read over the resolution and was
impressed that there was an actual plan. She commended the Board on their due
diligence in proceeding with their 2040 Plan: Healthy People, Healthy Living, Healthy
Communities.
Madam Chairman Pierog moved forward in the agenda to Executive Session. The
Committee obliged.
7.
Monthly Financials (K. Hopkinson)
Monthly Finance Reports
A.
Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson stated the monthly financial reports were on file. She
explained that the Finance Department is about to close out the end of year
2023 financial statements. To note, the County's General Fund will have less
revenue than expenses. Within today's Consent Agenda, there is the Sheriff's
Adult Corrections' Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes
retro-active pay dating back to December 2022. This will cost the County's
General Fund over $900K, and will be recorded in the 2023 expenses.
Hopkinson stated that moving forward, the monthly financial reports will include
the tracking of unearned revenue. Unearned revenue is where the County has
cash, but does not have it recorded as revenue due to not having a set expense
to spend the cash on, such as the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA). Hopkinson shared some activity highlights of the Finance Department.