DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Economic Development Committee

October 12, 2011

DRAFT

Economic Development Committee
Minutes

October 12, 2011

            The DeKalb County Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 @ 7:00p.m., in the Administration Building, Supervisor of Assessments Board of Review Room.  Chairman Pat Vary called the meeting to order.  Members present were Bob Brown, Julia Fauci, Riley Oncken. Mr.  Jeff Whelan and Mr. Metzger were absent.  Ms. Robin Brunschon, Ms. Sarah Lief, Mr. Gary Hanson, Ms. Caren Cribben, Ms. Deb Armstrong and Mr. John Acardo were also present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

            Moved by Ms. Fauci, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from September 2011.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Brown, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

FY2012 BUDGET APPEALS:

The committee said that there did not need to be any discussion on this appeal as they were 100% unanimous about the appeal.  They discussed that the funding source would come from the Special Projects Fund, which would total $10,000.

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Ms. Fauci, and it was carried unanimously to forward the recommendation of approving the appeal for funding the DeKalb County Convention and  Visitor’s Bureau with $10,000 and to get the money from the Special Projects Fund, and to forward this recommendation to the Finance Committee.

The committee discussed the appeal filed by Mr. Oncken to trim the budget of the Supervisor of Assessments office because of a lack of home sales. This position will be reduced to a half-time position under his appeal. When home sales pick up again, then maybe this position would be reinstated for full time.  This would reduce the budget by $23,500 approximately.  Ms. Brunschon said that there is no guarantee that this position will be restored.

Mr. Hanson said that he is in favor of this appeal and like Riley said and Ms. Brunschon, there is no guarantee that this half-time position will be reinstated later on.

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Brown, and it was carried unanimously to approve this appeal to reduce the one position to a half-time position at a cost of $23,500 and to forward this recommendation to the Finance Committee.

CHAIR’S COMMENTS

Chairman Vary said that she met with Ms. Beth Campen to discuss the Arts Council.  She said that Ms. Campen is interested in starting an Equity Theater Company here in DeKalb and she is trying to get this council started.  They would like to hold one or two meetings and they will start with the email list that Mary Supple started after the July 2011 meeting of this committee.

WHY DO BUSINESSES CHOOSE DEKALB COUNTY

Chairman Vary said that she attended the Economic Development Corporation’s Luncheon on why companies choose our County to do business in.  Three different businesses spoke as to why they located here, they were Target, Smart Motion Robotics and Midwest Orthopedics.  They picked us because of Northern Illinois University, Kishwaukee College, and the manufacturing aspects.  She also mentioned that that they chose DeKalb County because of our transportation, an intelligent labor pool, the airport, and high quality buildings in the Sycamore Business Park.

SUPERVISOR OF ASSESSMENTS INTRODUCTION AND UPDATE – MS. ROBIN BRUNSCHON

Ms. Robin Brunschon, Supervisor of Assessments for DeKalb County, gave a brief introduction and update to the committee.

She said that they have published 13 townships so far and she has 3 more to go.  They are waiting for DeKalb Township’s numbers yet. 

Mr. Oncken asked Ms. Brunschon how much does it cost to publish?

Ms. Brunschon said $40,000. 

Mr. Oncken asked if there is a move toward no longer running publications in the future?

Ms. Brunschon said that she did not know, but when there are quadrennial years they do have to be published.  She is trying to put it on our website too.

NOVEMBER MEETING DATE

The committee agreed to hold a meeting in November if there was business.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION UPDATE – MR. PAUL BOREK

Mr. Borek gave a brief update (his report attached to these minutes) on what is happening around the County with economic development.

He said that the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation cosponsored an exhibit at the AIRE (Association of Industrial Realtor Estate Brokers Conference) in September.  The event was well attended by site selectors and real estate brokers in the Greater Chicago/Northern Illinois market.  These site selectors were interested in DeKalb County’s recent success, development opportunities and our assets and resources.  Follow-up information is being prepared for distribution to these contacts and other AIRE members.  New contacts are being added to our constant contact lists/database.

ADJOURNMENT

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

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        ______________________________________

                                                                        Pat Vary, Chairman

pv:mcs

  | Home | Return to top | A-Z Index | Return to minutes |