County Board rejects farmland lot-size cut, approves $800,000 road maintenance budget
The Jo Daviess County Board denied a proposal to reduce the agricultural zone minimum lot size from 40 acres to 2 acres on a 13–3 roll-call vote at its July 14 meeting, instead referring the amendment back to the Planning Commission with direction to consider a 10-acre option. The board also approved an $800,000 motor fuel tax maintenance budget, a $125,000 County Engineer salary resolution, and more than $1.25 million in claims — all by unanimous 16–0 votes.
County Board: IT purchases, claims, and engineer salary
Beyond the lot-size vote, the board approved a consent agenda 16–0 that included claims totaling $1,255,522.14. Members also approved the purchase of three production host servers for $55,764.96 and three disaster-recovery host servers for $37,500.00, each by voice vote. The County Engineer salary resolution of $125,000 plus benefits passed 16–0, as did the County 2026 MFT Maintenance funding of $800,000.
Mental Health Board adopts FY2027 budget, delays provider funding
The 708 Mental Health Board approved the FY2027 Mental Health Fund (014) budget by voice vote on July 8 but postponed adoption of the Service Provider annual funding application and delayed final action on FY2027 Service Provider Funding Requests until its September 9 meeting. The board did approve several Q2 FY2026 reimbursements: Midwest Medical Center $38,750.00, Riverview Center $15,500.00, The Workshop $16,250.00, Tyler's Justice Center for Children $4,000.00, and Kreider Services, Inc. $20,000.00. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM.
Law Enforcement & Courts: Sheriff app and Law Library move
On July 9, the committee approved purchasing TheSheriffApp.com mobile application for up to $15,717.00 by voice vote. Members recommended relocating the Law Library to the first floor and repurposing its current space for court staff. The committee also recommended approval of the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System (IEMMAS) intergovernmental agreement and a participation resolution.
Executive Committee and Public Works: Parking ramp and animal waste ordinance
The Executive Committee on July 6 and the Public Works Committee on July 14 each recommended an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Galena for a parking ramp at 311 North Bench Street. Both committees also recommended an ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 12 to regulate animal waste on county property. The Executive Committee removed Blackjack Road construction from the FY2025/FY2027 Strategic Goals following a traffic study. All actions were by voice vote.
Social & Environmental: Transit contracts and senior survey
On July 16, the committee approved contracts with seven organizations for Jo Daviess County Transit: Fields of Sinsinawa, St. Dominic Villa, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, East Galena Township, The Galena Rotary Club, The Mop Shop, and St. Vincent de Paul. The committee also approved a survey to gather resident input on senior services. All motions carried by voice vote.
Coming up
July 20 — Board of Review (General): The Board of Review will approve minutes from its 2025 session and discuss the Illinois Department of Revenue's proposed 2027 state certification and PI values for farmland, including how the board will implement the proposed procedures. Public comment is scheduled for both agenda and non-agenda items. No specific decisions are listed on the agenda.