Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Administration Committee

Meeting Minutes

KIOUS, Juby, Arroyo, Berman, Garcia, Gumz, Young, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)

and Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Kious called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Chris Kious, Board Member Leslie Juby, Alex

Arroyo, Sonia Garcia, Michelle Gumz, Bill Roth and Corinne M.

PRESENT:

Pierog

Dale Berman and David Young

ABSENT:

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan, Molina*, Penesis*, Strathmann*; ITD/BLD Exec.

Dir. Fahnestock & staff Harris, Lasky, Roff, Clark, Smith, Kash; SAO staff Hunt*, Ford;

Auditor Wegman; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt*; and members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

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

Approval of Minutes: June 11, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

Public Comment

None.

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Reports

Chairman Kious stated the monthly financial reports were on file. No additional

report was made.

Executive Director's Report (R. Fahnestock)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock provided the 2026 Submitted Budget for the

Information Technologies Department (ITD), Building Management Department (BLD),

and the Geographic Information System (GIS) Department. He noted that this

presentation was emailed to all County Board members. (Committee Member Arroyo

arrived in-person at 10:33 a.m.) He stated that the financial information shared today is

a snapshot of ITD, BLD, and GIS's submitted budget. He noted that they are still

working on additional items for the Special Funds, such as the Mill Creek Special

Service Area (MCSSA) and the Capital Fund. He explained that he will be working with

the Finance Department to figure out the 2025 year-end balance capital projects, in

order to budget for FY2026. Fahnestock explained that the County's Financial Policiy

require the County to budget for projects for FY2026, or submit an Emergency

Purchase Affidavit (EPA) to make an amendment to the budget. He stated that he is

trying to work on the correct projections for Capital to try to avoid an EPA. Fahnestock

explained that today's presentation will review the operating FY2026 Budget for ITD,

BLD, and GIS. He reviewed ITD/BLD's mission statement. He listed the 2025

Committee Goals. He reviewed BLD/ITD Goals and Objectives. The majority of these

are to maintain and support the existing infrastructure, buildings, and offices.

Fahnestock stated it is important to understand that BLD and ITD are supporting

departments. They support all other County departments and offices. There is a

centralized function for ITD where they support the courts, public safety, State's

Attorney's Office, Treasurer's Office, et. cetera. Fahnestock explained that the majority

of County offices utilize ITD and BLD. He stated that many of the operational costs

presented are outbound expenses that support other departments/offices, such as tech

support staff, maintenance technicians, and software and support for all applications

and databases. He asked the Committee to keep in mind that when reviewing ITD's

and BLD's FY2026 Budget and making cuts it will not only affect ITD/BLD, but the other

County departments/offices. Fahnestock explained that the ITD/BLD budget is looked

at in three ways: support and maintain the County's assets, use existing infrastructure

more effectively, and looking into new ideas and considerations. He noted that very

rarely does the budget stretch to the new ideas. Fahnestock shared the ITD/BLD

organizational chart. He stated that changes will be made between the departments

that fall into the Special Revenue Fund and General Fund. He explained that if there

are salaries, benefits,and costs attributed to a Special Revenue Fund, the General

Fund expense would then move to the Special Revenue, such as MCSSA. Regarding

GIS, Fahnestock stated that he is working with staff to identify prorated salaries that

could potentially be covered by the GIS Fund. He noted that this change will make a

difference in the department's bottom line. He explained that he has been working

collaboratively with the Finance Department and Human Resource Management

(HRM) Department to figure out the best budget for the County departments that are

funded by the General Fund to present to the County Board. He presented the ITD

FY2026 Budget. He explained the contents of the report that make up the budget. He

spoke on the reduction of staffing levels and shifting payroll into a special fund that

would reduce the overall benefit costs. He noted that the overall costs for salaries and

wages and overtime have decreased. He explained that the Contractual Services

expenses have had larger cuts made. In FY2025, Contractual Services expenses were

$1,064,904.00. For FY2026, the submitted budget is $808,704.00. Fahnestock spoke

on the countywide expenses. He stated that the countywide expenses cover a lot of the

software contracts and the Judicial Public Safety case management system. He noted

that this expense will increase 5% for FY2026, which could be an increase of

$100,000. (Madam Chairman Pierog arrived in-person at 10:46 a.m.). Fahnestock

stated that the overall commodities expense was decreased by 13%. Overall, the ITD's

FY2026 Budget is down 9%. He explained that the net difference from $5.24M in

FY2025 to $4.76M in FY2026, is approximately a $500K decrease. He stated that he

will continue to work with the Finance Department to find other ways to decrease the

budget. Fahnestock and ITD CIO Lasky addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Much discussion ensued on additional budget cuts and the County's fiber

optics network leasing program.

Fahnestock presented the FY2026 BLD Budget. He described the contents within the

report that make up the budget. He stated that the salaries, wages, and overtime have

decreased by 2%. He noted that overtime has been increased due to the need for

projects being completed after operating hours. He explained that some of the budget

cuts are due to realignment of expenses into other Special Revenue funds and looking

into established positions and functions of the department. He addressed the

Contractual Services expenses. He stated that the largest expense is the repairs and

maintenance on buildings. In FY2025, the contractual costs for these repairs and

maintenance was $1,488,858.00. The FY2026 Submitted Budget is $1,485,000.00.

Fahnestock explained that BLD has gained additional work when they are performing

other projects around the County, which needs to be categorized as a capital expense

versus and operational expense. He stated that the Repairs and Maintenance for

vehicles has been cut due to the Sheriff's Office helping in maintaining the County

vehicles. He noted that money will be returned to the County's General Fund because

of the Sheriff's help. He explained that there will be an increase to General Printing and

a reduction to Employee Training. Fahnestock spoke on the reduction in utilities. He

explained that as the County saves by using solar energy. A lot of those savings are

affective by increased rates or the rates for the energy the County is consuming. He

noted that the bottom line for electric has remained the same. He explained that he has

been speaking with the Finance Department on the cost of utilities. He stated that if this

line item is cut to save money, but the utility invoices exceed the budgeted amount,

then the County needs to do a budget adjustment to cover the bills. If the County plans

to cut utility funding for the 27 County buildings, then they need to prepare a

contingency in case of this issue occurring. Fahnestock spoke on the efficiency

measures that have and could be taken to save on utility costs. Overall, the BLD's

FY2026 commodities expenses are 6% less from FY2025. He noted that financial

changes are being made to the Submitted FY2026 Budget daily and will continue to

find additional cost savings. Fahnestock, Lasky and BLD Dir. Harris addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued on energy

efficiency, cost savings, and special revenue funds.

Fahnestock presented the FY2026 GIS Budget. He noted that the GIS Budget is a

Special Revenue Fund. Regarding revenue, he explained that a fee study was done

and it increased the revenue enough that fund balance will not need to be used to

balance the budget. Subsequently, adjustments have been made to prorate some

administrative compensation from GIS and the Development Department into the GIS

Fund. This will help lessen the burden on the County's General Fund and will move

expenses to the GIS Fund. There is approximately $50K to $100K that will be moved

from the General Fund to the GIS Fund. Additionally, GIS has moved Repairs and

Maintenance - Computers to the Computer Software License Cost. Fahnestock stated

that the cost for the GIS software will be increasing. He explained that the cost is rising

substantially and they are considering other options. The major change to the GIS

Budget is to the Salaries and Wages line item. Fahnestock stated that the GIS

Department's expenses have increased 16% from last year due to the switching of

compensation and salaries and the increase of the GIS software. Fahnestock

addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Lastly, Fahnestock stated that this submitted FY2026 Budget is a work in progress. He

shared the overview of the FY2026 Budget for the ITD, BLD, and GIS. He explained

that he will continue to work with the Finance Department and the Finance Committee

Working Group to review programs and services cuts, reallocate expenses to Special

Revenue, if applicable, and review the Capital budget and requests. Currently, the

FY2026 submitted Budget for BLD was decreased by 5%, and ITD decreased by 9%,

with an overall decrease of 7% for both departments from FY2025 to FY2026.

Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued.

Building Management (K. Harris)

Authorizing a Contract Extension for Kane County Generator Maintenance

Services for the Building Management Department with Midwest Power Industry

Incorporated (BID# 23-046)

BLD Dir. Harris introduced this resolution. He stated that the County has had

success with Midwest Power Industry, Inc. He explained that the generators

protect critical equipment, such as life-safety systems, HVAC systems, and

some Information Technology systems. He stated that Midwest Power Industry,

Inc. completes the work that County staff cannot do, such as preventative

maintenance and repairs of all generator systems across the County.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Contract for Kane County Building Management Department

Flooring Improvement Project with Artlow Systems (BID# 25-024-TL)

(Madam Chairman Pierog left at 11:48 a.m.)

BLD Dir. Harris introduced this resolution. He stated that M/M Peters

Construction, Inc. attends to the County's concrete work, such as sidewalks,

curbing, and ADA modifications. He noted that the resolution is a contract

extension for another cycle.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Sonia Garcia

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman, Board Member Young and Ex-Officio

County Board Chair Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Contract Extension with M/M Peters Construction, Inc. for Kane

County Concrete Services for the Building Management Department and the Mill

Creek Special Service Area (BID# 23-041)

BLD Dir. Harris introduced this resolution. He explained that the flooring project

is being done at the County's Circuit Clerk's Election Office. He noted that the

flooring is dusty and has been creating a health hazard and needs to be

replaced.

BLD Program Mgr. Smith explained that the flooring is located in the Elections

Warehouse at the Kane Branch Court. He stated that the flooring is in bad

shape. The plan is to grind the floor and reseal it. Once completed, the election

equipment will be protected. ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock added that this

project will be funded by the County Clerk's Office and will not come from the

County's General Fund. Smith addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Sonia Garcia

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman, Board Member Young and Ex-Officio

County Board Chair Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing Purchase of Office Furniture, Furnishings, and Services for the Kane

County Building Management Department with Tayco Office Furnishings, Inc.

(Contract# 240301)

BLD Dir. Harris introduced this resolution. He stated that this resolution pertains

to a project at the Kane Branch Court where office space is being created for the

State's Attorney's Office (SAO). This resolution would approve the purchase of

office furniture for this space.

BLD Program Mgr. Smith explained that the project is the SAO's build-out at the

Circuit Clerk's Office for their Diversion Team and Human Trafficking Division.

He described the location of the new office space. He explained that part of the

funding for this project will come from the Capital Fund and the other portion will

be funded by a grant that was obtained by the SAO. ITD/BLD Exec. Dir.

Fahnestock and Smith addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Discussion ensued.

Chairman Kious stated that the Resolution's executive summary will be replaced

due to a scrivener's error. Further discussion ensued on the contract time frame

and amount.

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

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

RESOLVED by the Kane County Board that the Kane County Building

Management Department is hereby authorized to purchase furniture,

furnishings, and services through TIP's Tayco Office Furnishings, Inc. with Lan

Office Furnishings as the reseller Contract No. 240301 for a sum not-to-exceed

of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for a one twelve (12) month

period, Gumz seconded. Discussion ensued. Motion carried unanimously by roll

call vote.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman, Board Member Young and Ex-Officio

County Board Chair Pierog

ABSENT:

Information Technologies (C. Lasky)

None.

10.

Geographic Information Systems (K. Lebo)

None.

11.

Mill Creek SSA (R. Fahnestock)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock announced that Mill Creek Special Service Area

(MCSSA) Coordinator, Bill Meyer, has retired. He stated that he has been working with

MCSSA to reallocate responsibilities and is reworking how the Mill Creek service runs.

He explained that all the responsibilities have been reassigned, but they are still trying

to lock in staff that will cover the daily duties.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Vehicles

None.

New Business

None.

Old Business

None.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

16.

Executive Session

The Administration Committee entered into an Executive Session at 12:27 p.m. to

discuss the release of closed session minutes, purchase and/or lease of real property,

and security of buildings on a motion made by Gumz, Juby seconded. Motion carried

unanimously by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Michelle Gumz

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman, Board Member Young and Ex-Officio

County Board Chair Pierog

ABSENT:

Release of Closed Session Minutes

17.

Open Session

The Committee returned to Open Session at 12:50 p.m. on a motion made by Arroyo,

Gumz seconded. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Michelle Gumz

SECONDER:

Vote on Release of Closed Session Minutes

Chairman Kious asked for a motion and a second to approve the release of closed

session minutes as recommended by the State's Attorney's Office (SAO) and as

reflected in Exhibit A.

RESULT:

APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Michelle Gumz

Sonia Garcia

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Berman, Board Member Young and Ex-Officio

County Board Chair Pierog

ABSENT:

18.

Adjournment

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Alex Arroyo

Leslie Juby

MOVER:

SECONDER:

This meeting was adjourned at 12:51 PM.

Savannah Zgobica

Sr. Recording Secretary