Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Public Service Committee

Meeting Minutes

SANCHEZ, Young, Gripe, Gumz, Lewis, Surges, Tepe, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)

and Pierog (County Chair)

Thursday, April 17, 2025

9:00 AM

County Board Room

2025 Committee Goals

• Continue presenting all Public Service reports from each department

• Continue receiving Committee member’s feedback

_______________________________________________________________________

Call To Order

Chairman Sanchez called today's meeting to order at 9:01 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Jon Gripe

PRESENT

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Anita Lewis

Board Member Clifford Surges

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member David Young

ABSENT

Board Member Vern Tepe

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates*, Juby, Kious*, Molina*, Penesis*, Strathmann*;

Treasurer Lauzen; SOA Armstrong; ROE Chief of Exec. Services Jeff Aranowski; VAC

Supt. Zimmerman; Co. Clerk staff Pollock; Auditor Wegman; ITD staff Peters; and

members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

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

Approval of Minutes: March 20, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

Public Comment

None.

Finance

Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

Recorder

Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

Treasurer / Collector

Monthly Report

Treasurer Lauzen stated his monthly report was on file. He stated that the tax

collection process has begun. He stated that Supervisor of Assessments (SOA)

Armstrong has orchestrated the assessment work through sixteen township

assessors. The County Clerk's Office has certified extensions on tax levys for

each township parcel. Much discussion ensued.

Supervisor of Assessments

Monthly Report

Supervisor of Assessments (SOA) Armstrong stated that the monthly report is

on file. He stated that on February 26, 2025, the Kane County Assessment

Office began its work for the 2025 taxable year by certifying equalization factors

to Kane County's sixteen Township Assessors. He anticipates the first townships

to certify their assessments will be in the next few weeks. The statutory deadline

for assessment rolls to be certified is June 16. Armstong continued his report by

presenting information about the assessment process. He reviewed the duties of

the Supervisor of Assessments Office, and the state statute. In 2024, there were

13,805 deeds processed, with 4% of those having issues. He provided several

examples of incomplete, incorrect, and illegible legal property descriptions. The

next step in the assessment process is to compare the grantor interest to prior

owners, enter the new taxpayer mailing address, and review and process the

Transfer Declaration. Armstrong addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Much discussion took place.

10.

Regional Office of Education

Regional Office of Education (ROE) Chief of Exec. Services Jeff Aranowski reminded

the Committee that the 49th Educator of the Year Award Ceremony Banquet is Friday,

May 2, 2025 at the Q Center in St. Charles. Several educators will be recognized for

their excellence. There are 46 nominees from nine public school districts in Kane

County.

11.

Veteran's Assistance Commission

Monthly Report

Veteran's Assistance Commission (VAC) Supt. Zimmerman stated that the

monthly report is on file. He stated that there was $2.7M in new benefits, and

over 250 benefit applications submitted so far for the fiscal year. He announced

that Friday, April 25, 2025, there will be a Senior Veterans Fair held at Elgin

Community College. On Friday, May 2, the Veteran's Resource Fair will be held

at the Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW). Zimmerman

highlighted that there were over 250 veterans who attended this event last year,

with 50 veteran resources in attendance. Zimmerman addressed questions and

comments from the Committee.

12.

County Clerk

Monthly Report

County Clerk staff Pollock stated the monthly report is on file. He stated that a

$7K grant was received from the State Board of Elections for election judge

reimbursements. The property value in Kane County increased by 12% from last

year. Pollock highlighted that for the first three months of 2025, there have been

over 2,500 passport applications received. Early voting and vote-by-mail has

increased to 60% since 2020.

13.

14.

15.

Other Business

None.

Executive Session (If Needed)

None.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Anita Lewis