Whiteside County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Whiteside County committees weigh grant, vehicle purchases, and zoning changes

Whiteside County committees held over the past week to consider a range of items, including a $50,000 business grant, multiple vehicle purchases, and zoning amendments. Meeting minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are pending.

Finance Committee

• The Finance Committee on Aug. 10 had an agenda to approve a $50,000 business grant to MIT, a $498.30 property damage payment, and $1,313.00 in mileage and travel reimbursement for county board members. The committee also received first reads on CFY27 budget requests for fixed assets and service contracts.

Wage & Salary Committee

Also on Aug. 10, the Wage & Salary Committee considered wage compression adjustments. Motions were on the agenda to place the First Assistant Public Defender in Grade 18, the Chief Deputy in Grade 18, and the Services Lieutenant in Grade 16, each with a specific step. The Sheriff's Secretary position was discussed.

Executive Committee

On Aug. 11, the Executive Committee met to build the agenda for the County Board's Aug. 18 meeting. The agenda included an anticipated motion to purchase a Command/Rehab vehicle for $54,740.20, appointments to the Erie Fire Protection District and the 911 Board, and a resolution of congratulations to Landon Near for winning the IHSA State Wrestling Championship.

Airport Board

The Airport Board met Aug. 13 to handle routine business, including approval of bills and accounts receivable. The manager's contract, airport budget, and a farm lease were on the agenda. Old business included professional lot maintenance, the 07/25 project, corporate hangar, office building tenants, and hangar roof painting.

County Board

On Aug. 18, the County Board considered a $50,000 business grant to MIT, a fuel supply contract with Gibson Oil Co. of Lyndon, IL, a $9,152.50 increase in an ambulance rechassis invoice, and a $70,000 purchase of a Command/Rehab vehicle. The board also had appointments to the Erie Fire Protection District and the 911 Board.

Special Service Area No. 1 Committee

Also on Aug. 18, the Special Service Area No. 1 Committee considered a motion to approve the purchase of a Command/Rehab vehicle for $54,740.20. The meeting included public comment and a report from CGH. The next meeting is set for Oct. 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Zoning Hearings

On Aug. 20, the Zoning Hearing Officer conducted public hearings on two proposed text amendments. Case #767 would update regulations for wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems. Case #768 would revise rules for accessory structures.

All meetings listed are agenda only; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions have been confirmed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days according to the provided data.

Whiteside County committees review budgets, contracts; no decisions yet

Over the past two weeks, Whiteside County committees met to review budget requests, contract awards, and claims, but none of the meetings produced final decisions, as minutes have not yet been published. The most significant items under consideration include a fuel contract award and salary increases for sheriff's office positions.

Public Works Committee

On Aug. 4, the committee considered awarding a fuel contract to Gibson Oil, Co. of Lyndon, IL for unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel. Members also reviewed first-look capitalized fixed assets and service contracts for FY '27, heard a building and zoning report, and considered forwarding a property damage claim to the Finance Committee. A zoning hearing for Tom Witmer is scheduled for Aug. 20.

Public Safety Committee

On Aug. 5, the committee reviewed monthly reports from the Coroner, State's Attorney, and Sheriff. The Sheriff requested salary increases for Chief Deputy, Service Lieutenant, Jail Superintendent, and Administrative Assistant. The committee also discussed first-read CFY27 budget requests for fixed assets and service contracts, approved July claim reports, and discussed ARPA funds and nuisance properties.

Health and Social Services Committee

On Aug. 5, the committee approved the July claim report and reviewed budget status reports. Reports were received from the Health Department, Veteran's Assistance Commission, University of IL Cooperative Extension, Mental Health Board, and Senior Citizens. The committee also reviewed Mental Health Board minutes from June 30.

Judiciary Committee

On Aug. 6, the committee approved the July claim report and received monthly reports from Court Services, Public Defender, Circuit Clerk, Court Administrator, and Law Library. Each department presented a first-read FY27 budget request covering fixed assets and service contracts.

County Offices Committee

On Aug. 6, the committee approved July claim reports and conducted first readings of FY2027 budget requests for the County Clerk, Recorder, Supervisor of Assessments, GIS Director, Information Technology Department, and Regional Office of Education. No substantive decisions were scheduled.

Mental Health Board

On July 28, the board discussed agency funding requests and allocation decisions after reading June 30 minutes. The meeting included a public comment period. The next meeting is set for Sept. 29 at the Whiteside County Health Department.

911 / Emergency Telephone Systems Board

On July 30, the board considered a bill payment for the 911 system and approved minutes from the October meeting. No specific contracts or dollar amounts were listed.

Coming up

• Aug. 18: Special Service Area No. 1 Committee will consider a motion to approve the purchase of a Command/Rehab vehicle for $54,740.20. Public comment and a CGH report are also scheduled.
• Aug. 20: Zoning hearings on two text amendments: Case #767 for wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems, and Case #768 for accessory structures.

Whiteside County Board to Set Elected Officials' Salaries; Stahr Media Grant on Agenda

The Whiteside County Board has scheduled votes to set salaries for the State's Attorney, Sheriff, and Public Defender, and to consider a $50,000 business grant to Stahr Media, according to the board's July 21 agenda. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

County Board — July 21

The board's agenda listed salary-setting votes based on state statutes: State's Attorney at $228,317.97, Sheriff at $182,654.38, and Public Defender at $205,486.17. The agenda also included a $50,000 business grant for Stahr Media and approval of ComEd road repairs for Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships. Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether these items passed.

Landfill Committee — July 20

The Landfill Committee agenda included public comment, Waste Management Inc. project updates, Health Department inspection reports, and a presentation of the WMI Agreement by the County Administrator. No specific contracts, ordinances, or fee changes were listed. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Special Service Area No. 1 Committee — July 20

This committee was set to review quarterly reports and a budget recommendation. Agenda items included amending the Intergovernmental Agreement for ambulance services, an ambulance rechassis invoice, a budget recommendation, and CGH quarterly reports. Minutes are not yet published.

Mental Health Board — July 28

The Mental Health Board met at the YWCA in Sterling. The agenda called for reading June 30, 2026 minutes, discussing agency funding requests and allocation decisions, and a public comment period. The next meeting was scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Whiteside County Health Department.

911 / Emergency Telephone Systems Board — July 30

The ETSB agenda included review and approval of a bill payment for the 911 system, approval of minutes from the October meeting, public comment, new and old business, and a closed session. No specific contracts or dollar amounts were listed.

Coming Up

Several committee meetings are scheduled this week as the county begins its FY27 budget cycle:

• **August 4 — Public Works Committee:** Will consider awarding a fuel contract to Gibson Oil, Co. of Lyndon, IL, for unleaded gasoline and diesel. Also on the agenda: first review of FY27 capitalized fixed assets and service contracts for the Highway Department and Building and Zoning, a property damage claim payment recommendation, and township Motor Fuel Tax claims.

• **August 5 — Public Safety Committee:** Will review monthly reports from the Coroner, State's Attorney, and Sheriff. The Sheriff is requesting salary increases for four positions: Chief Deputy, Service Lieutenant, Jail Superintendent, and Administrative Assistant. The committee will also discuss ARPA funds and nuisance properties.

• **August 5 — Health and Social Services Committee:** Will approve the July claim report and review budget status reports, including reports from the Health Department, Veteran's Assistance Commission, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension, Mental Health Board, and Senior Citizens.

• **August 6 — County Offices Committee:** Will approve July claim reports and conduct first readings of FY27 budget requests from the County Clerk, Recorder, Supervisor of Assessments, GIS Director, Information Technology Department, and Regional Office of Education.

• **August 6 — Judiciary Committee:** Will approve the July claim report and hear first-read FY27 budget requests from Court Services, Public Defender, Circuit Clerk, Court Administrator, and Law Library.

Note: All recent meeting summaries are based on agendas only; minutes have not been published. Outcomes of votes and discussions are not confirmed.

Whiteside County Board set to act on elected salaries, $50,000 business grant; Enterprise Zone expands Milledgeville territory

The Whiteside County Board was scheduled to vote July 21 on setting salaries for three countywide elected officials and awarding a $50,000 business grant to Stahr Media, according to the meeting agenda. Minutes from that session have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

County Board — July 21

The board agenda called for votes on setting the State's Attorney salary at $228,317.97, the Sheriff's salary at $182,654.38, and the Public Defender's salary at $205,486.17, all based on state statutes. The board was also set to consider a $50,000 business grant for Stahr Media and approve ComEd road repair contracts for Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships. Because only the agenda is available, the results of these votes are not yet known.

Enterprise Zone Board — July 14

The only meeting this period with published minutes was the Enterprise Zone Board on July 14. Members approved the January 13, 2026 minutes by collective Aye vote and approved the Fiscal Year and Quarterly reports, with all members agreeing. A motion to consider additional territory in Milledgeville carried. The board also discussed the potential removal of certain properties from the zone.

Finance Committee — July 13

The Finance Committee agenda included approval of the June claim report and a $1,358.08 mileage and travel reimbursement for County Board members. The Treasurer was scheduled to present a temporary investment report and fund balance summary. Other items listed were a Public Transportation transition update, an ARPA funds update from Economic Development, and a property damage claim under the Administrator's Report. Minutes are not yet published.

Executive Committee — July 14

The Executive Committee agenda included setting a public comment period for the renewal of the Clean Air Act permit for Behrens Trucking & Excavating at 610 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL. The committee also planned to act on a retirement resolution for Robin Brands, a resolution of condolence for the Marvin D. VanZuiden family, and the reappointment of Dustin D. Hook and Shane J. Dykstra as commissioners to the Johnson Creek Levee and Drainage District and Subdistrict #1. Minutes are not yet published.

Airport Board — July 16

The Airport Board agenda listed an election of officers, discussion of hangar roof painting, a lobbyist update, a corporate hangar project update, and a lease termination and vacancy declaration for Hangar 6 Southwest Garage. Minutes are not yet published.

Landfill Committee — July 20

The Landfill Committee agenda included public comment, Waste Management Inc. reports and project updates, Health Department inspection reports, and a presentation of the WMI Agreement by the County Administrator. No specific contracts, ordinances, or fee changes were listed. The next meeting is set for October 19, 2026.

Special Service Area No. 1 Committee — July 20

This committee was scheduled to review amending the intergovernmental agreement for ambulance services, an ambulance rechassis invoice, a budget recommendation, and CGH quarterly reports. Minutes are not yet published.

Zoning Hearings — July 16

The July 16 zoning hearing was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming up

• **Mental Health Board** — July 28, 2026, at the YWCA in Sterling. The board will discuss agency funding requests and determine allocations, with a public comment period. The next meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Whiteside County Health Department.
• **911 / Emergency Telephone Systems Board** — July 30, 2026. The board will review a bill payment for the 911 system, approve minutes from the October meeting, and handle public comment, new and old business, and a closed session.

Whiteside County roundup: Enterprise Zone Board approves Milledgeville territory review; committees weigh salaries, grants

The Whiteside County Enterprise Zone Board voted July 14 to consider adding territory to Milledgeville, the only decided action among a week of committee meetings where minutes have not yet been published. Several committees were scheduled to weigh salary decisions, contract awards, and a carbon dioxide pipeline moratorium.

Enterprise Zone (July 14) — Decided

The Enterprise Zone Board approved the January 13, 2026 minutes by collective Aye vote and approved the Fiscal Year and Quarterly reports with all members in agreement. A motion to consider additional territory in Milledgeville carried. Members also discussed a request to add more territory and the potential removal of certain properties from the zone.

Public Works Committee (July 7) — Agenda Only

Minutes have not been published. The committee was scheduled to vote on a resolution establishing a moratorium opposing carbon dioxide pipelines. Other planned items included awarding a road repair bid for ComEd repairs in Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships, and approving a supplemental engineering agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates for the Genesee Ct. Bridge in Morrison at a not-to-exceed cost of $71,509.94. Data centers were listed as a discussion topic.

Public Safety Committee (July 8) — Agenda Only

The committee was scheduled to vote on motions setting the State's Attorney salary at $228,317.97 and the Sheriff's salary at $182,654.38, both effective July 1, 2026. The County Administrator was slated to provide updates on ARPA funds, new hires, and nuisance properties.

Judiciary and Wage & Salary Committees (July 9) — Agenda Only

The Judiciary Committee was set to vote on a motion setting the Public Defender's salary at $205,486.17, effective July 1, 2026, and to review monthly reports from Court Services, the Public Defender, the Circuit Clerk, and the Law Library. The Wage & Salary Committee was scheduled to consider placing the First Assistant Public Defender in Grade 18 of the county salary plan.

County Offices Committee (July 9) — Agenda Only

Items included approval of June claim reports, approval of the Election Judge Roster, a County Clerk update on mailing over 34,000 Permanent Vote By Mail postcards, and an Aerial Orthophotography update from the GIS Director.

Finance Committee (July 13) — Agenda Only

The committee was scheduled to approve the June claim report and a $1,358.08 mileage and travel reimbursement for County Board members. The Treasurer was set to present temporary investment and fund balance summaries. Updates on a Public Transportation transition and ARPA funds from Economic Development were also listed.

Executive Committee (July 14) — Agenda Only

The committee was scheduled to set a public comment period for the renewal of the Clean Air Act permit for Behrens Trucking & Excavating at 610 Wallace Street, Sterling IL, for the July 21 regular board meeting. Other items included a Resolution of Retirement for Robin Brands, a Resolution of Condolence for the Marvin D. VanZuiden family, and the reappointment of Dustin D. Hook and Shane J. Dykstra as Commissioners to the Johnson Creek Levee and Drainage District and Subdistrict #1.

Airport Board (July 16) — Agenda Only

The board was scheduled to elect officers and discuss painting an airport hangar roof. Additional items included updates on a lobbyist, a corporate hangar project, and lease termination and vacancy declaration for Hangar 6 Southwest Garage.

Zoning Hearings (July 16) — Cancelled

The agenda states there was no meeting on July 16, 2026. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming Up

• **July 20 — Landfill Committee:** County Administrator presentation of the WMI Agreement, plus Waste Management Inc. reports and Health Department inspection reports.
• **July 20 — Special Service Area No. 1 Committee:** Discussion of amending the Intergovernmental Agreement for ambulance services, an ambulance rechassis invoice, and a budget recommendation.
• **July 21 — County Board:** Votes scheduled on setting salaries for the State's Attorney ($228,317.97), Sheriff ($182,654.38), and Public Defender ($205,486.17); a $50,000 business grant for Stahr Media; and ComEd road repairs for Lyndon, Mt. Pleasant, and Union Grove Townships.
• **July 28 — Mental Health Board:** Discussion of agency funding requests and allocation decisions at the YWCA in Sterling.
• **July 30 — 911 / Emergency Telephone Systems Board:** Bill payment review, approval of October meeting minutes, and a closed session.