The Public Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, December 9, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building's Conference Room East. Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order. Members present were Pat LaVigne, Eric Johnson, Steve Faivre, Julia Fullerton, Sue Leifheit, Richard Osborne and Robert Rosemier.  Ms. Eileen Dubin arrived later @ 6:37p.m.  Others present were Ken Johnson, Margi Gilmour, Sharon Holmes and Dennis Miller.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Mr. Johnson and it was carried unanimously to approved the November 2002 minutes.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            Moved by Mr. Faivre, seconded by Ms. LaVigne, and it was carried unanimously to accept the agenda.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman Allen asked each of the committee members to identify themselves and from which district they represent.

COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER’S INTRODUCTION

Ms. Sharon Holmes, DeKalb County Clerk’s Office, briefly reviewed for the committee what her department’s functions are.  She handed out materials that explained what the Recorder’s side of the office is responsible for and what the County Clerk’s side of the office is responsible for.  She said that she has a total of 16 people that are all excellent.  She has two chief deputies.  One is Ms. Judy Butler who helps run the Recorder’s side of the office, Ms. Mary Lynn Meisch, who is responsible for the election side of her office and then Ms. Sheila Larson who is her tax extension clerk.  She said that they are all very good and that she is very proud of them. 

She began by covering the Recorder’s side of the office.  This office is required to maintain an up-to-date set of maps or”plats” which show the current ownership of every parcel or real property in the entire county (see the one-page report attached to these minutes).  Currently the Recorder’s office has experienced it’s busiest year ever.  For the FY2002 the total document count was 27,763.  The 27,763 documents brought $469,443 into the General Fund and the county portion of revenue stamps applied to the deeds netted another $223,473.25 for a Grand Total of $693,916.25 for the year. 

Additionally, she said, the Recorder’s Office collects a GIS fee of $2.00 for each document recorded.  This past year a total of $55,522.00 was collected and turned over to the county GIS fund.

Ms. Holmes then explained the duties of the County Clerk’s side of her department. She said that the County Clerk’s side of the office handles the issuance of marriage licenses, requests for vital records, passport applications and various miscellaneous records.  She is the official record keeper for all county records, including the county board meetings, the ordinances, resolutions, from all of the county board meetings that have been adopted and the minutes from all standing committees and ad hoc committee meetings. 

Additionally, the County Clerk collects a $2.00 surcharge for each death certificate sold and is responsible for sending that money to the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Death Certificate Surcharge Fund monthly.  IN FY 2002 $1,010 was collected and sent to Springfield.

Finally, Ms. Holmes briefly explained what the Elections part of her office is responsible for.  She said that the state reimburses her office for election judges.  Her office receives $25.00 for each election judge that works an election. 

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT

Mr. Ken Johnson, DeKalb County Public Defender, introduced himself to the committee members and explained what his department’s duties are.  He said that when he first started with the County, about three years ago, his office only collected about $5,000 in fees.  As of this year they should be collecting about $15,000.00 in fees. 

Mr. Johnson then invited all committee members to call him directly if they should have any questions and to visit his office in the basement of the County Courthouse.

COURT SERVICES REPORT

Ms. Margi Gilmour, DeKalb County Court Services Director, introduced herself to the committee and what her department is responsible for.  She said that they have 400 active cases in the adult caseload which includes everyone 17 years and older. Of these 400 active cases 85-90% of them are felonies.  In the Juvenile caseload, which includes everyone 16 years and younger, each juvenile officer handles about 30-40 cases. 

Ms. Gilmour invited all new committee members and county board members to come visit her office and to also get in touch with her if they would like to tour the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center.

Chairman Allen introduced Ms. Supple to the committee members and asked her to briefly explain to them what duties she performs for the county board office and various departments.  Ms. Holmes thanked Ms. Supple for being an asset to the county and for all the work that she does with the County Clerk’s Office, and that the county board should be very grateful that Ms. Supple works for them. 

CORONER/ESDA DIRECTOR

Mr. Dennis Miller, DeKalb County Coroner and ESDA Director, said that “terrorism” is the buzz-word right now.  He said that he and Ms. Grush, Public Health Director, are currently working on a plan for the inoculation of all county residents to receive the small pox vaccine.  They will have more information after the first of the year.

He has been the DeKalb County Coroner for 19 years and that he has other deputy coroners who work with him throughout the county.  He has had 396 cases so far this year.  He said that he has been seeing more and more violent crimes committed in DeKalb County. 

Chairman Allen then notified the committee members that the monthly meetings will be the first Monday of every month @ 6:30p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

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                                                                                    Marlene Allen, Chairman

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Mary Supple, Secretary