Woodford County Board to vote on $191,871 engineering contract, Public Defender salary increase
Woodford County's most consequential items this week sit on the July 21 County Board agenda, where members will consider more than $340,000 in engineering contracts, a Public Defender salary increase, and a Taser equipment purchase. Outcomes from the county's committee meetings held July 13–15 are not yet available; only agendas have been published.
County Board — July 21
The Woodford County Board will consider five resolutions and one ordinance:
- **Resolution 2025/26-054** — Engineering services agreement up to **$191,871** for the Olio Road District Project.
- **Resolution 2025/26-053** — Engineering services agreement up to **$94,000** for County Highway 9, Section 25-00126-00-BR.
- **Resolution 2025/26-051** — Increase the Woodford County Public Defender salary to **$205,486.17**, effective July 1, 2026.
- **Resolution 2025/26-056** — Purchase of replacement Taser Energy Weapons up to **$45,498.60** from Axon.
- **Ordinance 2025/26-006** — Special Use permit for a dog grooming business at **2082 State Route 117, Benson, IL**.
The board will also reappoint two members to the Woodford County Housing Authority: Erik Brewer (1-year term) and Laura Siscoe (3-year term).
Conservation, Planning & Zoning Committee — July 13
The committee was scheduled to consider a proposed ordinance imposing a six-month moratorium on accepting special use and building permit applications for data centers. The moratorium would allow county officials to study resident concerns and develop comprehensive regulations. The committee was also set to elect a chairman and vice chairman and hold a public input period. Minutes have not been published.
Road & Bridge Committee — July 13
The committee was scheduled to act on two preliminary engineering agreements: one with Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. for Section 26-00126-00-BR, and another with Hanson Professional Services, Inc. for Section 26-11151-00-BR. Members were also set to review the FY2027 Unified Planning Work Program and Joint Funding Agreement for TCRPC. Claims for the July 21 Board meeting were listed at $21,007.17 (Highway Fund), $54,132.19 (Bridge Fund), and $145,419.72 (Motor Fuel Tax Fund). Minutes have not been published.
County Offices & Finance Committees — July 14 (Joint Meeting)
The two committees were scheduled to jointly consider:
- **Resolution 2025/26-051** to set the Public Defender salary.
- Moving the **Cazenovia 1** precinct polling location from **Tjaden Memorial Library (104 W. Magnolia Street)** to **Washburn Village Hall (134 N Jefferson St, Washburn)**.
- Purchase of **4 computers** from **Heart Technologies** for **$10,406.14** from the Recorder's Automation Fund.
- Reappointments of Erik Brewer and Laura Siscoe to the Housing Authority.
- Budget presentations for the State's Attorney, Regional Office of Education, Veteran's Services, Coroner, Supervisor of Assessment, and County Clerk.
Minutes have not been published.
Health Insurance Committee — July 15
The committee was scheduled to discuss the upgrade of all Carle Health providers to Preferred/Tier 1 status, effective July 1, 2026, which reduces member out-of-pocket costs. The agenda also included a quarterly report from Snedeker Risk Management, approval of May 13, 2026 minutes, and a report of fund balances showing a combined balance of $252,228.55 as of May 2026. No new business or claims appeals were listed. Minutes have not been published.
Public Safety Committee — July 21
The committee will consider purchasing new Taser equipment for the Probation Office, with a quote to be provided at the meeting. Also on the agenda: Resolution 2025/26-055 proclaiming National Emergency Management Awareness Month, unfinished business on an MOU with the Cats of West Central Illinois, approval of June 2026 claims, and the Sheriff's monthly reports for July 2026.
Coming up
- **July 21, 9:00 AM** — Public Safety Committee
- **July 21** — Woodford County Board
Both meetings are where the county's largest pending financial decisions — engineering contracts, the Public Defender salary, and Taser purchases — are scheduled for votes. Residents in the Cazenovia 1 precinct should watch for the polling location change, and those near 2082 State Route 117 in Benson may be affected by the proposed special use permit.