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

Boone County Board may vote no confidence in Chairman Bob Walberg - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

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.

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

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.

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Tuesday 11-26-2013

 

Bill attended the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting last night. See agenda at: http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/ZBA%20NOV%2026,%202013.pdf

New business was handled first. The Belvidere Township Park District Case# 15-2013 drew much attention and concern. The neighboring industrial site (in the City of Belvidere) just received city approval of a clean room for 3D printing (plastic parts manufacture) and contends their operation will be aversely affective by the dust and possible contamination from fuel station and mulch storage proposed by the park district. After much discussion the applicant and its neighbor agreed to arrange a meeting and see if some compromise can be worked out. The case will be on the December 17, 2013 ZBA agenda.

Setback for Wind Ordinance: The questioning of the staff summary finally ended at 9:50PM and next month the ZBA will begin its deliberations and hopefully reach its decision and vote. It appears that this contentious issue will finally reach the county board in January 2014.

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

 

Current Job Openings : 

Office Assistant Position

The Boone County Health Department has a full-time opening (37.5 hrs/week) for an office assistant position.  Must be detail oriented and have good communication, organization, filing, and word processing computer skills.  Previous office experience is necessary (Bilingual/Spanish is a plus but not required.).

Applications for employment (www.boonehealth.org) must be completed and submitted to Boone County Health Department, 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008; or emailed to info@boonehealth.org; or faxed to 815-544-2050, Attn: Chris.  (Resume may accompany the application.

Boone County Administration Office

Program Compliance Oversight Monitor (PCOM)

The Boone County Administration Office is currently

hiring a part-time PCOM.  This person
will be responsible for the oversight and administration
of the Section 5311 and Downstate Operating Assistance
Programs provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation
for public transportation in Boone County. 
This person must work well independently and
have the ability to assemble and analyze data.
Grant writing and grant monitoring experience is helpful.

Applicants must be well organized and have strong communication

skills.  Computer knowledge is a must.

Associates or Bachelors degree preferred but could be
substituted with experience.

The starting wage for this position is $14.00+ per hour DOQ.
Applications are available at the Boone County Administration Office,

1212 Logan Avenue, Belvidere, IL 61008

or see below.

Please submit applications to:

Boone County Administration Office

1212 Logan Avenue Suite 102

Belvidere, IL 61008

Applications must be received by November 22, 2013.

EOE

Download the employment application here by going to the actual website (CLICK on the link below) and click on the “download the employment application here”--

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

Major Actions at November County Board Meeting

The agenda for the November 20, 2013 County Board Meeting and Budget Hearing are available at: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/Public

As Bill sees it the major issues decided are as follows:

1. Re-vote of the Josipovic Special Use request for parking of semi-cab and truck near Candlewick. See the proposed zoning ordinance:: https://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9DGMGC579751/$file/ORD%2013-25%20Special%20Use%20for%20Parking%20Semi-Trailer_201311150853.pdf See newspaper coverage of the issue at: Truck parking issue returns to county board by clicking on the following: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-belvidere-daily-republican-featured_19.html Bill voted “NO” on this re-vote and the zoning request did not pass.

2. Discuss and vote on spending $40,000 for a consultant to negotiate prisoner fees with U.S. Marshall Office. For the newspaper account go to County seeks more money for housing federal prisoners at: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-belvidere-daily-republican-featured.html Bill felt that insufficient research and reference checking was done on the Summerill firm and questioned the large sum being expended. Bill moved to send the issue back to subcommittee to review the firm’s references. This motion was denied 2-10. The board approved the contract but amended the contact so it would not be effective until 12-4-2013 and is now subject to review of references etc. by the county staff. Bill was the lone vote in opposition to the contract.

3. FY 2014 budget approved. There was some interesting discussion on several items. . Bill voted “no” for the budget itself. Several board members spoke of “unfair” raises to non-union personnel . Bill agreed with their statements. In addition Bill spoke out that the budget is concealing expenses that are anticipated and will occur. More specifically, the board will purchase more than two squad cars for the Sheriff’s Department even though only two are budgeted. These additional cars should be budgeted . The vote was 8-4 for the budget. For the newspaper account go to: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131120/NEWS/131129916/0/SEARCH or http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/11/boone-county-leaders-pass-balanced.html

4. Action on Tollway exit at Irene Road. (Northwest ramp) Bill voted “YES”. The vote was 10-2 in favor. See for the story: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131121/NEWS/131129829/0/SEARCH or http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/11/boone-leaders-approve-land-purchase-for.html

5. The Tootsie Roll crisis has been solved. See earlier the story, Committee recommends another change to food code, [Belvidere Daily Republican] at: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-belvidere-daily-republican-featured.html Boone County Health Code was amended no health permit will be required to distribute or sell factory wrapped food products. The exact wording of the ordinance mirrors the wording of Winnebago County’s ordinance. Board member, Ron Wait, was instrumental in getting this issue resolved in a reasonable manner—no fee—no permit from the Health Department..This revised ordinance passed by voice vote.

6.  Take as look at what happened at Tuesday’s 11-26-2013 Zoning Board of Appeals. See above posting or click on the following:  http://boonecountywatch.blogspot.com/2013/11/zoning-board-of-appeals-meeting-tuesday.html