Monday, December 30, 2013
County Board Meetings
Major actions of note from December 18, 2013 County Board Meeting
1. Discussed and voted on “No Confidence” in the Chairmanship of Bob Walberg. The motion was unsuccessful 4-8. Bill voted for “No Confidence”. Bill spoke at the meeting of Mr. Walberg’s lack of leadership with particular emphasis on Mr. Walberg’s refusal to seek answers on the questions of funding the Veterans Assistance Commission. For more coverage on the no confidence issue go to: http://www.wrex.com/story/24258179/2013/12/19/one-third-of-boone-county-board-votes-no-confidence-in-chairman or http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131218/NEWS/131219397
2. Voted to grant $25,000 to the Veterans Assistance Commission for current operation. The county board has (in Bill’s opinion) been less than cooperative with the VAC. It began with the County Administration/Board Leadership refusal to really discuss with the VAC providing county office space and used office equipment back in January 2013. Based upon a lack of action the VAC borrowed money and rented their own space and purchased necessary office equipment and supplies. The county then “advanced” money to the VAC to begin operations and pay back the loan from the veterans’ organizations for the rent and purchases. There still is not a clear statement or agreement regarding funding of FY 2013 VAC operations and FY 2014. Mr. Walberg and his majority refuse to address the issue as to what amounts the county must fund from the general fund and what sums should come from the VAC referendum. Based upon an initiative from the Cathy Ward and other members of the minority (including BILL) the $25,000 approved by the county board at the December board meeting was changed to a grant rather than an advance. (Vote 10-2 to change to “grant” and then 12-0 to grant the $25,000 from the general fund) Still in question are the previous “advances”: Must any of the “advances” be repaid? When will VAC referendum funds be used for their operations? Will any of the VAC’s future operating costs be funded by the county’s general fund? The most discouraging item is that Mr. Walberg does not wish to seek answers to any of these questions. These are not mute questions-- the VAC has raised these and other questions —to some degree the questions concern state law and court decisions--the county has thus far sought little legal advice on these matters.
3. County Board granted authority to the Human Service Subcommittee to solicit proposals for architectural services for the design of the animal services building. It is yet to be determined if the new building will be bid or lease/purchase.
4. County authorized annual job evaluations of Building & Zoning Enforcement, Geographic Information Systems and Animal Service Departments. See the flowchart: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9EC7VG712E26/$file/Employee%20Evaluation%20Flowchart_201312121359.pdf This action was largely initiated by Bill P. During budget hearings Ms. Tobin, Assistant Administrator, was granted a substantial merit raise. Questions by Bill substantiated that only Admin Department personnel were actually evaluated. Performance of other members of the staff had not been reviewed in years and effectively they were not considered for such a merit raise. Hopefully all personnel will now have annual evaluation. Job performance reviews are vital to managing personnel.
5. For a complete agenda go to: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2012-18-2013.pdf or Board Doc’s: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Public
Major Actions Anticipated for County Board in January 2014.
1. The Wind Turbine Ordinance regarding Setbacks will hopefully be voted at the January 15, 2014 county board meeting. This will be coming to the county board directly from the recently completed hearings at the Zoning Board of Appeals.
2. Building & Zoning Subcommittee (Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 6:oo PM) will tentatively spend their one hour scheduled meeting on zoning enforcement.
3. Human Services Subcommittee (Thursday, January 2, 2013, 6:ooPM, see: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/Health%20Agenda%20Jan.%202,%202014.pdf ) deals again with several controversial issues: Water sampling at Plote gravel pit, setting up interviews for architects for new animal services building, a complaint regarding Heath Code enforcement.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Tollway Overpass Bridges reopening dates—as of 12-4-2013
Click on the photocopy to enlarge also available at: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/12/tollway-overpass-bridges-reopening.html
Above email is from: https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9EC93W74D539/$file/Tollway%20Bridge%20Openings%20Dec.%202013_201312121414.pdf
Boone County Board may vote no confidence in Chairman Bob Walberg - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
BELVIDERE — The Boone County Board may deliver a vote of no confidence in Chairman Bob Walberg at its board meeting Wednesday night, according to an email received by the Register Star on Thursday.Some members have voiced concerns over Walberg’s appointment process, committee assignments and overall leadership style in the past year.The vote is more symbolic than binding. Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said it has no legal effect.Walberg, who has chaired the board for six years, said he tries to place people where they will be the most beneficial to the County Board.“Many years ago I learned the strengths we feel we have are not (always) what others see in us,” he said.Jennifer Wheeler: 815-987-1354; jwheeler@rrstar.com; @jenmwheeler
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Employment/Appointment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois
One or both of these position should be filled at the County Board meeting on December 18, 2013.
Current Appointment Openings:
The following are volunteer Boards of the County that have vacancies:
Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008. Please respond by November 22, 2013 to assure being considered.
Commissioner of the Housing Authority
1 vacancy for a 5-year term that will expire January, 2019
Boone County Board of Review
1 vacancy for a term that will expire June 1, 2015
(Note: Per statute, this person must be of the Democratic Party. If selected, Board members must attain the credentials established by the Illinois Property Tax Code within (1) year of taking office.Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008. Please respond by November 22, 2013 to assure being considered.
Zoning Board of Appeals expected to finally make recommendation on the Wind Ordinance Set Back
This board will meet on Tuesday December 17, 2013. Its agenda is available at: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/zba%20dvc%2017,%202013.pdf Another case which was tabled last month will be discussed and probably decided at the meeting.
Should the Wind Ordinance recommendation be made by the ZBA, the Boone County Board would have 30 days to make its determination. Both the December 18, 2013 and the January 2014 board meeting would meet that window. The county’s Planning & Zoning subcommittee will not vote on the recommendation. BILL P
Report on the RMDT bus service to and from Rockford & Belvidere
Several months ago I promised the City-County Coordinating subcommittee of the Boone County Board/City of Belvidere that I would spend some time, ride the bus and report to them. Here is my report.
Bill Pysson’s experience regarding RMDT bus service on Monday December 9, 2013
There were 2 other passengers on the 9:10 AM bus from Keen Center to Rockford East Transit Center. Both passengers were picked up somewhere else in Belvidere. The two other passengers took the East State bus; I transferred to the Cherry Valley bus. Both transfer buses were waiting for us. I did some shopping at the mall and then returned via the 10:30 AM Cherry Valley bus. I waited until 11:20 when the Belvidere bus came. (Belvidere service & Cherry Valley Mall service are hourly; East State service is ever twenty minutes) There were two other passengers on my bus returning to Belvidere from Rockford. One passenger off near the Belvidere Post Office. One passenger off at Kmart. One on nearly Manley’s. Two on at State & Lincoln. One on at State & Hurlbut. One on at Aldi’s. One off at Shopco. I disembarked at Keen Center and the four remaining passengers went on to the Rockford East Transit Center.
COSTS: $1.50 +.25 FOR Cherry Valley Bus—Both FREE for Senior Citizens (Requires RMTD ID $5.00)
TO Rockford –2 both already on bus TO Belvidere---2: Off near Post Office & Off at Kmart
Pick-ups in Belvidere—5; 1 got off in Belvidere 4 went on to Rockford
Comments from a passenger: She rides the bus fairly regularly to work in Rockford. The last bus (4:20 PM) has the greatest number of passengers.
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