Jo Daviess County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County Board approves housing program transfer; ambulance budgets set for FY2027

The Jo Daviess County Board approved the transfer of the county's Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs to the Winnebago County Housing Authority, pending federal approval, and authorized a replacement sheriff's squad vehicle. The board also approved claims totaling $1,992,614.72 as part of its consent agenda. In other action, joint special service area commissions approved FY2027 ambulance budgets for three districts, and the Liquor Commission issued two event licenses.

County Board approves housing program transfer, squad vehicle

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the County Board approved a resolution and intergovernmental agreement to transfer the Jo Daviess County Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs, along with associated assets, to the Winnebago County Housing Authority. The transfer is contingent on HUD approval.

The board also approved a resolution to purchase a replacement Sheriff's squad vehicle from the Contingency Fund (016), to be reimbursed in FY2027 from the Sheriff Vehicle Fund (038).

Other board actions included:

• Approval of the consent agenda, including claims of $1,992,614.72 and line-item transfers.
• An ordinance amending the County Board's rules of order and procedure regarding committees.
• A resolution to dissolve the Grant Administration Oversight Committee.
• Two First Time Homebuyer's Loans: $6,250 for Sofie Ann Burke and $6,000 for Benjamin P. Francke.
• Approval of seven contracts between Jo Daviess County Transit and various organizations, plus a Radio Etiquette Policy for transit employees.

Liquor Commission approves two event licenses

The Liquor Commission approved two retailer liquor licenses for Apple Canyon Lake Property Owners' Association events: a Poker Run on Sept. 12 and a Fall Craft Fair on Sept. 6, both at 14A157/14A159 Canyon Club Rd., Apple River, IL. Both were Class X1 licenses approved by voice vote. The commission also approved minutes from its July 14 meeting.

Joint SSA commissions approve ambulance budgets

The Joint Special Service Area Commissions approved FY2027 budget requests for three ambulance services, all at maximum levy rates, by voice vote:

• Warren Area Ambulance
• Galena EMS, contingent on submission of a five-year capital plan
• Elizabeth Community Ambulance

The commissions also accepted FY2026 annual reports from all three services.

Committee recommends transit contracts and grant application

The Social & Environmental Committee recommended approval of 12 contracts between Jo Daviess County Transit and local organizations, including the Galena Public Library District, East Dubuque School District #119, The Galena ARC, Crescent Community Health Center, Allure of Stockton, United Methodist Church, and an intergovernmental agreement with Regional Office of Education #8. All passed by voice vote. The committee also recommended a resolution to apply for a state capital assistance grant for paratransit vehicles.

Coming up

• **Development & Planning Committee** (Aug. 25): Will discuss and possibly recommend three FY2027 economic development programs totaling $400,000: a Forgiveable Loan Program for Childcare ($100,000), a Small Business Development Grant Program ($50,000), and a Target Loan Program ($250,000). Also reviews strategic goals and monthly reports.
• **Ad-Hoc Health Insurance Committee** (Aug. 25): Will consider FY2027 contract renewals for dental, voluntary accident/critical illness/hospitalization, and health insurance plans, plus discussions on HSA contributions, premium allocation, and a voluntary furlough program.
• **Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals** (Aug. 26): Will discuss proposed amendments to zoning regulations regarding minimum lot area in the Agricultural district and accessory uses on parcels under five acres, as referred back by the County Board on July 14. It will also vote on minutes from three prior meetings.

County committee recommends housing authority transfer; liquor licenses approved

The Jo Daviess County Executive Committee on Aug. 3 recommended transferring the county's housing authority programs and assets to the Winnebago County Housing Authority, a move that would affect 104 public housing units. The full County Board is set to vote on the transfer at its Aug. 11 meeting.

Housing authority transfer moves forward

The Executive Committee voted by voice vote to recommend an intergovernmental agreement transferring the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs, along with 104 public housing units and associated assets, to the Winnebago County Housing Authority. The action follows a HUD mandate to consolidate small housing authorities. The agreement includes one Jo Daviess County resident seat on the Winnebago board, subject to HUD approval.

The committee also recommended a technical ordinance change to rename "Committee Vice Chairs" to "Committee Co-Chairs" in the Code of Ordinances. Both recommendations go to the County Board.

The County Board's Aug. 11 agenda includes the resolution and intergovernmental agreement for the transfer, as well as an appointment to fill a vacant District #16 seat (Wards Grove & Stockton I), two first-time homebuyer loans — $6,250 for Sofie Ann Burke of Apple River and $6,000 for Benjamin P. Francke of Hanover, both for 10 years — and claims totaling $1,152,771.43. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

Liquor licenses approved for Apple Canyon Lake events

The Liquor Commission on Aug. 11 approved two retailer liquor licenses for the Apple Canyon Lake Property Owners' Association, both by voice vote. One license covers a Poker Run on Sept. 12 and the other a Fall Craft Fair on Sept. 6, both at 14A157/14A159 Canyon Club Rd., Apple River, IL. The commission also approved minutes from its July 14 meeting.

Health department budgets on the table

The Board of Health Finance Committee and the full Board of Health both met Aug. 5 to consider FY27 budgets for six funds: Public Health (003), Emergency Preparedness (005), Catastrophic (046), Capital Investment (055), Animal Control (020), and Pet Population (080). The finance committee's agenda included possible approval of each budget; the full board's agenda included forwarding them to the Joint Committee Budget Meeting, along with discussion of the DACRA system for Animal Control, a capital improvement plan, and the 2025-2030 IPLAN. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Special Service Area Commissions** (Aug. 18): The joint commissions will review annual reports and FY2027 budget requests from three ambulance providers — Warren Area Ambulance Service, Galena Area EMS District, and Elizabeth Community Ambulance Service — serving SSAs #1, #6, and #7.
• **Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals** (Aug. 26): The board will discuss proposed amendments to the county zoning regulations regarding minimum lot area in the Agricultural (AG) district and maximum non-agricultural accessory area on parcels under five acres, as referred back by the County Board on July 14. It will also vote on minutes from three prior meetings.

County committee recommends housing authority transfer to Winnebago County

The Jo Daviess County Executive Committee on Aug. 3 recommended transferring the county's Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs to the Winnebago County Housing Authority, a move that would affect 104 public housing units. The recommendation, which follows a HUD mandate to consolidate small housing authorities, will go to the County Board for a vote on Aug. 11.

Housing authority transfer recommended

The Executive Committee voted by voice vote to recommend an intergovernmental agreement and supporting resolution that would transfer 104 public housing units and associated assets to the Winnebago County Housing Authority. The agreement includes one Jo Daviess resident board seat, subject to HUD approval. The committee also recommended an ordinance changing "Committee Vice Chairs" to "Committee Co-Chairs" in the Code of Ordinances. Minutes from the July 6 meeting were approved with one abstention.

Economic development funds approved

The Development & Planning Committee on July 28 approved $400,000 for FY27 economic development expenses. It also approved two first-time homebuyer loans by voice vote: $6,250 for Sofie Ann Burke and $6,000 for Benjamin P. Francke. Members discussed potential uses for the funds, including child care and small business grants, but specific program allocations were not finalized.

Other committee actions

The Information & Communications Technology Committee on July 29 recommended a Public Communications & Social Media Guidance Policy to manage public access to information and address FOIA and records-retention risks. Members discussed using a single county Facebook page and CivicPlus automation for resident updates.

The Finance, Tax, & Budgets Committee on July 30 recommended dissolving the Grant Administration Oversight Committee, amending grant and asset management policies, and purchasing a replacement sheriff's squad vehicle from the Contingency Fund (016), to be reimbursed in FY2027 from the Sheriff Vehicle Fund (038). The committee also marked the Blackjack to Hwy 20 road project as "Closed" in Strategic Goals.

Board of Health meetings pending

The Board of Health Finance Committee and the Board of Health were scheduled for Aug. 5 to consider FY27 budgets for six health department funds: Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, Catastrophic, Capital Investment, Animal Control, and Pet Population. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not available.

Coming up

• **County Board, Aug. 11:** Will vote on the housing authority transfer, fill a vacant District #16 seat, approve the two first-time homebuyer loans, and approve claims totaling $1,152,771.43.
• **Liquor Commission, Aug. 11:** Will consider two temporary Class X1 retailer liquor licenses for the Apple Canyon Lake Property Owners' Association for a Poker Run on Sept. 12 and a Fall Craft Fair on Sept. 6.

County committees allocate $400,000 for economic development, recommend dissolving grant oversight panel

Jo Daviess County committees took action on housing loans, economic development funding, social media policy, and grant oversight during the last two weeks of July.

Development & Planning Committee

On July 28, the Development & Planning Committee approved two first-time homebuyer loans and set the county's FY27 economic development spending ceiling at $400,000.

The committee approved a $6,250 First Time Homebuyer's Loan for Sofie Ann Burke and a $6,000 First Time Homebuyer's Loan for Benjamin P. Francke, both by voice vote. Members also allocated $400,000 for FY27 economic development expenses and approved the June 23, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote.

Committee members discussed potential uses for the economic development funds, including child care and small business grants, though specific program allocations were not finalized.

Finance, Tax, & Budgets Committee

On July 30, the Finance, Tax, & Budgets Committee recommended dissolving the Grant Administration Oversight Committee and approved several policy and purchasing actions.

The committee recommended a resolution to dissolve the Grant Administration Oversight Committee by voice vote, along with amendments to the Grants Administrative Oversight Policy (P2021-9) and the Fixed Asset Management Policy (P2026-9).

Members also recommended purchasing a replacement Sheriff's squad vehicle using the Contingency Fund (016), to be reimbursed in FY2027 from the Sheriff Vehicle Fund (038). All items passed by voice vote.

The committee marked funding for the Blackjack to Hwy 20 road project as "Closed" in Strategic Goals and approved the June 25, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote. Members discussed delays in the first tax distribution from the Treasurer's office.

Information & Communications Technology Committee

On July 29, the ICT Committee voted to recommend a Public Communications & Social Media Guidance Policy to the full County Board. The policy is intended to manage public access to information and address FOIA and records-retention risks.

Members discussed using a single county Facebook page and CivicPlus automation for resident updates. The committee approved its June 24, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote.

Board of Review

On July 20, the Jo Daviess County Board of Review met to discuss the Illinois Department of Revenue's proposed 2027 state certification and PI values for farmland. The agenda included approval of minutes from the 2025 session and public comment periods. No specific decisions are listed; minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.

Coming up

The Executive Committee meets today, August 3, to consider transferring Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs and assets from the Jo Daviess County Housing Authority to the Winnebago County Housing Authority. The proposal includes a requirement that one Jo Daviess County resident be appointed to the Winnebago County Housing Authority Board, pending HUD approval. The committee will also review a proposed intergovernmental agreement between the two counties, consider an ordinance amending committee rules of order and procedure, review FY2025/FY2027 Strategic Goals, and receive an update on FOIA requests.

County Board rejects agricultural lot-size reduction, approves $800,000 road maintenance budget and $125,000 engineer salary

The Jo Daviess County Board denied a proposal to reduce the agricultural zone minimum lot size from 40 acres to 2 acres on a 13–3 roll call vote, instead referring the amendment back to the Planning Commission with direction to study a 10-acre option. The vote was the most contested item at the board's July 14 meeting, which also saw unanimous approval of an $800,000 motor fuel tax maintenance budget and a $125,000 salary resolution for the County Engineer.

County Board: IT purchases, claims, and lot-size vote

The board approved its consent agenda 16–0, including a claims package totaling $1,255,522.14. Two IT purchases passed by voice vote: three production host servers for $55,764.96 and three disaster-recovery host servers for $37,500.00. The County Engineer's salary resolution of $125,000 plus benefits passed 16–0, as did the 2026 MFT Maintenance funding of $800,000.

The agricultural lot-size amendment failed 13–3. The board then voted 13–3 to send the matter back to the Planning Commission with direction to explore a 10-acre minimum instead.

Executive Committee and Public Works: Blackjack Road dropped, parking ramp recommended

Both the Executive Committee and the Public Works Committee met July 14 and took overlapping actions. The Executive Committee removed the proposed Blackjack Road construction project from the FY2025/FY2027 Strategic Goals following a traffic study, by voice vote. Both committees recommended an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Galena for a parking ramp at 311 North Bench Street, also by voice vote.

Both committees recommended an ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 12 to regulate animal waste on county property. The Public Works Committee approved opening specific historical closed session minutes while also voting to keep other specific historical closed session minutes closed. The Public Works Committee approved its June 1, 2026 minutes.

Social & Environmental Committee: Transit contracts and senior survey

On July 16, the Social & Environmental Committee approved contracts with seven organizations for Jo Daviess County Transit: Fields of Sinsinawa, St. Dominic Villa, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, East Galena Township, The Galena Rotary Club, The Mop Shop, and St. Vincent de Paul. All contracts passed by voice vote. The committee also approved a survey to gather resident input on senior services.

Board of Review: Farmland certification discussion

The Board of Review met July 20 to discuss the Illinois Department of Revenue's proposed 2027 state certification and PI values for farmland and how the county will implement the procedures. The agenda included approval of 2025 session minutes and public comment periods. No decisions were listed on the agenda; minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

Development & Planning Committee — July 28: The committee will consider two first-time homebuyer loans: $6,250 for Sofie Ann Burke and $6,000 for Benjamin P. Francke. Members will also review FY2027 economic development programs, FY2025/FY2027 strategic goals, and the Economic Development Fund (018) financial reports. Monthly reports from building, zoning, and redevelopment authorities are scheduled.

County Board rejects farmland lot-size cut, approves $800,000 road maintenance budget

The Jo Daviess County Board denied a proposal to reduce the agricultural zone minimum lot size from 40 acres to 2 acres on a 13–3 roll-call vote at its July 14 meeting, instead referring the amendment back to the Planning Commission with direction to consider a 10-acre option. The board also approved an $800,000 motor fuel tax maintenance budget, a $125,000 County Engineer salary resolution, and more than $1.25 million in claims — all by unanimous 16–0 votes.

County Board: IT purchases, claims, and engineer salary

Beyond the lot-size vote, the board approved a consent agenda 16–0 that included claims totaling $1,255,522.14. Members also approved the purchase of three production host servers for $55,764.96 and three disaster-recovery host servers for $37,500.00, each by voice vote. The County Engineer salary resolution of $125,000 plus benefits passed 16–0, as did the County 2026 MFT Maintenance funding of $800,000.

Mental Health Board adopts FY2027 budget, delays provider funding

The 708 Mental Health Board approved the FY2027 Mental Health Fund (014) budget by voice vote on July 8 but postponed adoption of the Service Provider annual funding application and delayed final action on FY2027 Service Provider Funding Requests until its September 9 meeting. The board did approve several Q2 FY2026 reimbursements: Midwest Medical Center $38,750.00, Riverview Center $15,500.00, The Workshop $16,250.00, Tyler's Justice Center for Children $4,000.00, and Kreider Services, Inc. $20,000.00. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM.

Law Enforcement & Courts: Sheriff app and Law Library move

On July 9, the committee approved purchasing TheSheriffApp.com mobile application for up to $15,717.00 by voice vote. Members recommended relocating the Law Library to the first floor and repurposing its current space for court staff. The committee also recommended approval of the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System (IEMMAS) intergovernmental agreement and a participation resolution.

Executive Committee and Public Works: Parking ramp and animal waste ordinance

The Executive Committee on July 6 and the Public Works Committee on July 14 each recommended an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Galena for a parking ramp at 311 North Bench Street. Both committees also recommended an ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 12 to regulate animal waste on county property. The Executive Committee removed Blackjack Road construction from the FY2025/FY2027 Strategic Goals following a traffic study. All actions were by voice vote.

Social & Environmental: Transit contracts and senior survey

On July 16, the committee approved contracts with seven organizations for Jo Daviess County Transit: Fields of Sinsinawa, St. Dominic Villa, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, East Galena Township, The Galena Rotary Club, The Mop Shop, and St. Vincent de Paul. The committee also approved a survey to gather resident input on senior services. All motions carried by voice vote.

Coming up

July 20 — Board of Review (General): The Board of Review will approve minutes from its 2025 session and discuss the Illinois Department of Revenue's proposed 2027 state certification and PI values for farmland, including how the board will implement the proposed procedures. Public comment is scheduled for both agenda and non-agenda items. No specific decisions are listed on the agenda.