Finance and Audit Committee to Vote on IGA for Federal Funding for Randall Road Project Thursday

$23,248,831 in Federal Funds to be Discussed During Routine Consent Agenda On the February 8th routine consent agenda for the Finance and Audit Committee is a resolution to consider approving an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Illinois for federal … Continue reading

Franks Push for Patronage Employees’ Approval Gains Victory in Second Committee

It’s now 2-1. The McHenry County Board’s Internal Services Committee dissed McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks’ push to legitimize the two patronage positions which were irregularly filled by County Administrator Peter Austin Christmas time last year. Then, the Human … Continue reading

Tax Relief Mirage vs Tax Relief Reality

Last November, the all-Republican County Board refused to kill the Valley Hi tax levy. Having done so would have eliminated the tax. There is still time to do that or something milder suggested by new District 4 Board member Craig … Continue reading

County Board Considering Health Coverage Changes

Almost two hours was spent by the McHenry County Human Services and Finance & Audit Committees discussing proposals for next year’s health coverage for non-union employees. At issue was about a $20 million budget item. Under proposals outlined by Cheryl … Continue reading

Yvonne Barnes Gets Special Finance Committee Meeting on Valley Hi Finances

At the beginning of Thursday’s McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee McHenry County Board Chairman candidate Mike Walkup called for the abolition of the property tax levied for the Valley Hi Nursing Home. He pointed out that the nursing home … Continue reading

Valley Hi Surplus in Play at Finance Committee Meeting Thursday Morning?

Listed on the agenda of the McHenry County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee for Thursday, March 31st at 8:15 AM is the following under Old Business: Discussion: Capital Plan Finance Options There has been talk of borrowing from the huge … Continue reading

Finance Reverses Course, Cuts Valley Hi Levy by $750,000

What a difference five days makes. On Thursday, the members of the McHenry County Board’s Finance Committee voted 4-3 against lowering the $3 million Valley Hi Nursing Home levy by one penny. First-term member Chuck Wheeler, who was recently appointed … Continue reading

Budget Back to Finance Committee

McHenry County Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller has apparently decided not to put next year’s levy ordinance on the Board Agenda without a positive vote from the Finance and Audit Committee. As you can read exclusively here, the vote was 3-3 … Continue reading

Should Misdeeds Uncovered by Internal Audits Be Made Public?

McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer is again hesitant to share misdeeds of others with the public. The first time around it was an audit of the Nunda Township Senior Bus program. I had to ask Nunda Township for a copy … Continue reading

Hiding the County’s Outside Auditors’ Critical Findings

On Thursday, February 26th, McHenry County’s outside auditing firm will report its findings to the Finance and Audit Committee. State law allows such meetings to be held in secret. Note the word “allows.” There is no mandate in State law. … Continue reading

Nunda Township Senior Services Audit Discussed in County Committee

For your information, here are McHenry County Finance Committee minutes concerning the Senior Services grant audit which Nunda Township and McHenry County have refused to release. Both used the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act allows “internal” audits to … Continue reading

County Finance Committee Rejects 2.75% Raise for Board of (Assessment) Review Members

McHenry County Board of Review Chairman Clifton A. Houghton and regular members Mark A. Ruda and Sharon L. Bagby will not be getting a raise this year. It had been recommended that the salaries of the Board of Review be … Continue reading

Hiring DC Lobbyists Gets 4-3 Approval of County Finance Committee

$82,000 will be paid to Ferguson Group, LLC for Federal legislative consultant services. After being previously approved by the McHenry County Board’s Legislative and intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee voted 4-3 to agree to keep the same lobbying firm … Continue reading

McHenry County Buying Squad Cars from Decatur

The State of Illinois allows local governments to purchase things state government buys at the same price the state pays. So, local governments, in many instances, can find a cheaper price using the bulk buying power of Illinois largest employer … Continue reading

What Happened at Baseball Stadium Pitch to County Board Committee

I haven’t gotten around to writing a story on baseball stadium promoter Mark Houser’s pitch to the McHenry County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee yesterday, so I would encourage you to read the stories of the other three reporters there: … Continue reading