Motion made by Ms. Fullerton to approve the agenda and Mr. MacMurdo seconded this motion.  Discussion followed to amend the agenda by adding Proposed County Ordinance Amending Code of Ordinances, County of DeKalb Section 70-27 as item number 4 on the agenda and renumbering the current items 4, 5, 6, 7 as 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively.  The motion carried unanimously to approve the agenda as amended. 

PROPOSED 2005 BUDGET PRESENTED BY DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR. GARY HANSON:

Mr. Hanson explained that the Highway Department currently operates out of 5 budgets that are run through the County Board.  Form J attached to the 3510 Highway Department budget was highlighted.  Mr. Hanson explained to the Committee that this is where the majority of the funds are spent.  Form J contains the Highway Department’s equipment schedule and the proposed road/bridge projects for the budget year plus four outlying years.  Mr. Hanson explained the Committee and the Board would only be approving the 2005-year of projects.

The Equalized Assessed Value for the County is expected to increase by 7.6% overall and that includes approximately 3.4% in new construction.  Homeowners would see a 4.2% increase in assessed value.  This statement is made under the assumption that the Board will not take any action this year to place a cap on the assessed value.  Under P-TELL the County property tax increase can only raise by the COLA (1.9%) plus the new construction (3.4%) for a total of 5.3%.  The proposed budget submitted to the Board for consideration complies with this mandate.

The projected property tax increase for the three tax levies contained within the Highway Department’s budgets (Highway, Bridge, and Matching), although not each separate levy is projected to increase by 5.3%, the overall increase from these three tax levies is projected at 5.3%. 

The Committee noticed that it appeared that the revenue projected for these budgets was not keeping pace with the growth of the County.  It was explained that this was due in part to the tax cap voted in place by the voters during 1999 (2000 Budget year).  The Committee was also concerned about the projected price of the equipment to be replaced and the time frame in which the equipment is replaced.  The County Engineer explained the replacement schedule is set up to replace a piece of equipment prior to that equipment requiring major repairs.  This leaves some trade-in value and helps reduce the cost of equipment as well as ensuring the equipment remains in operating condition and ready when needed. 

The Organizational Table was reviewed and the County Administrator explained the creation of the Hay Grades for County employees.  These grades were established by a study during 1990 and remain fairly accurate today.  The study ensures that persons performing like duties would be compensated the same, regardless of how many years or what Department that person worked in. 

The Committee inquired into how often our manpower requirements are reviewed to ensure the Department is effectively utilizing this resource.  The County Engineer explained that during peak operations (summer/winter) the Department brings on additional part-time employees to complete operations that need to be performed during these times.  There are times when it might appear to the traveling public that more Highway Department employees are being assigned to a particular task than are actually needed.  The County Engineer stated the Highway Department has more projects than manpower to complete each year, but assured the Committee manpower requirements are reviewed regularly.   The Committee inquired if the Department performed tire repairs or engine repairs on our fleet.  The Committee was informed that these repairs are done outside the Department. 

 The Committee was encouraged to read the summary in front of their budget books.  If they had any questions concerning the Highway Department’s budget that they could contact the County Engineer or Support Services Manager.  If they wanted something changed in the budget they needed to complete the appeal form and the Committee would need to meet at a special meeting to discuss the appeal.

Chairman Wilson thanked Mr. Hanson for the presentation and the Committee received Mr. Hanson’s report and took no action at this time.

PROPOSED ROAD POSTING ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES, COUNTY OF DEKALB SECTION 70-2 PARAGRAPH (a):

The County Engineer explained the proposed amendment.  After review of certain roads within the County, the County Engineer recommended lifting the 54,000-pound restriction on certain roadways to allow weight limits of up to 73,280 pounds.  The County has in the past issued permits on their posted 54,000-pound roads to allow certain traffic to carry up to 73,280 pounds on these roadways.  It was brought to the Department’s attention that these permits may be considered useless by State and County law enforcement officials and that the County Engineer would not have the authority to issue permits for County Highways for divisible loads.  The Department is currently awaiting an opinion from the State’s Attorney’s Office to see if the continued permitting of these roads for divisible loads is allowable.   The Committee inquired into the cost to upgrade the approximately 11 miles of roads contained in this proposed ordinance.  It was estimated that one inch of hot mix would cost $100,000.00 per road mile (two lanes).  Depending on how many inches would be needed to strengthen the roadway to handle the continuous running of 73,280 pound loads would determine the overall cost.  The County Engineer estimated at 5-7 inches of additional hot mix would be required on these roads.  The Committee wanted to know why, if the County was allowing 73,280 loads to run on the roads currently, why doesn’t the County remove all the postings.  The County Engineer explained the County does not allow overweight loads on a continual basis but just during certain times of the year when the roadbed is dry and little harm would be done to the roadway.  Allowing overweight loads to continually run on the roadway without first building the surface up to handle these weights would result in the deterioration of these roadways and require funding to repair or resurface these roadways long before their scheduled time.  Some members of the Committee stated that controlling weights on the roadway was very important to ensure the County roads remain in tact for the traveling public.  Other Committee members were concerned that by requiring smaller loads leads to higher costs for the producer/hauler that can not be passed on to consumers.  Additional loads also result in higher fuel usage, which does not do much for conservation issues.  A motion was made to table this proposed amendment pending the receipt of the State’s Attorney’s opinion whether the County Engineer can continue to issue overweight permits on permanently posted roads of a lesser weight limit by Mr. Slack and seconded by Ms. Fullerton.    Motion carried unanimously and item 2 was tabled.

PROPOSED COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES, COUNTY OF DEKALB SECTION 70-5 AND 70-27 (ITEMS 3 AND 4)

The County Engineer explained to the Committee that items 3 and 4 were being recommended to correct a codification issue in the Code of Ordinances.  The spring posting ordinance was acted on annually prior to 2003.  Every year a new ordinance would replace the existing ordinance from the prior year.  During 2003 the County passed an Ordinance that would be in effect annually upon the erection of the spring posting signs by the County Engineer.  This eliminated the need for the County Board to act every year on this issue.  This annual ordinance was codified as an additional spring posting ordinance.  The recommended amendments would delete the duplicate ordinance only and provides for no changes in the content.    A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fauci to forward proposed county ordinance 2004-34 and 2004-37 to the full County Board recommending approval.  Motion carried unanimously.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:   

Chairman Wilson informed the Committee he would be out of town for the next three weeks.  He encouraged members to review the budget and if any appeals were needed that these appeals be presented as soon as possible.  If a special meeting were needed to act on any appeal such a meeting would be scheduled. 

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

Mr. Lorence informed the Committee that the Kirkland Road Bridge design engineering is 80% completed and Irene Road Bridge is 14% completed.   The Bethany Road extension (DeKalb Road District) is still on hold pending eminent domain and the Peace Road/Bethany Road traffic signal installation road widening has a September 20, 2004 start date.  With all the construction and two new commercial subdivisions in this area the County Engineer advised Committee members it might be less stressful to avoid that intersection during construction. 

            Mr. Lorence presented his annual report to the Committee and highlighted the construction projects completed this past year.  Mr. Lorence also informed the Committee that the “on call” snow removal program would continue for another year.  The Department will also continue with its “pre-wet” capabilities while salting road during the winter.  Three additional plow trucks will be equipped with this capability this winter season and be placed on Somonauk, Chicago and Suydam Roads.  The County continues to advise and assist Road Districts and Villages on various aspects of highway engineering and transportation planning.  Mr. Lorence continues to be involved in several transportation and Clean Water Act related committees and is currently serving as Vice President of the Illinois Association of County Engineers and will become President this October. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  CLOSED MEETING PER 5 IL CS 120/2(c)(1), ANNUAL REVIEW OF COUNTY ENGINEER’S PERFORMANCE: 

            Mr. Faivre moved and Mr. Gudmunson seconded a motion to enter executive session at 9:05pm.            

ADJOURNMENT: 

            There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Ms. Fauci moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fullerton.   Motion carried unanimously by voice vote and the September 2, 2004 meeting adjourned at 9:18pm.

Respectfully Submitted 

____________________

John A. Wilson

Chairman