Here’s most of an interesting resolution that will be considered by the Management Services Committee Monday:

WHEREAS, a delegation of authority would guide the County’s staff in their efforts to resolve claims on the County’s behalf fairly and efficiently; and

WHEREAS, the collective bargaining agreements between the County of McHenry and various bargaining units authorize the Chairperson of the County Board or the Director of Human Resources to resolve grievances, but generally fail to provide any limitation on the extent of that authority; and

WHEREAS, the agreement between the County of McHenry and Travelers Indemnity Company provides that Travelers is authorized to spend in payment or settlement of any claim arising under the agreement is $25,000.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of McHenry County, Illinois, that the Deputy County Administrator, after first consulting with the Chairperson of the County Board and the State’s Attorney, is authorized to settle any claim arising under the Workers’ Compensation Act and to execute on the County’s behalf any agreement settling said claim provided that the total claim is fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or less; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by this County Board of McHenry County, Illinois, that the Director of Human Resources, after first consulting with the Chairperson of the County Board and the State’s Attorney, is authorized to settle any grievance filed against the County and to execute on the County’s behalf any agreement settling said grievance provided that the measurable financial cost to the County of the grievance is fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or less; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Deputy County Administrator, after first consulting with the Chairperson of the County Board and the State’s Attorney, is authorized to settle any claim for damage to real or personal property or injury to person, including auto damage / liability claims, against the County and to execute on the County’s behalf any agreement settling said claim provided that the total claim is twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Deputy County Administrator, after first consulting with the Chairperson of the County Board and the State’s Attorney, is authorized to settle any claim arising under the United State’s Constitution or the Constitution of the State of Illinois or any claim arising from an individual’s employment, including wrongful termination and claims of discrimination, and to execute on the County’s behalf any agreement settling said claim where such claim is twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less; and

Mike Skala, Chairman of the Finance Committee.

John Jung, Chairman of the Human Resources Committee.

Tina Hill,Chairwoman of  theHuman Services Committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that not less than quarterly, the Chairpersons of the Human Resources Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee, and the Management Services Committee shall be provided a list of claims resolved under such authority.

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One might note that no report will be given to all County Board members or posted on the County web site on a quarterly basis…just given to three McHenry County Board members who chair three committees.  Now, they are John Jung, Mike Skala and Tina Hill, heads of Human Resources, Finance and Management Services, respectively.

That’s not terribly transparent.