Ogle County Finance, Revenue and Insurance Committee met Dec. 9
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Billeter calls the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present: Daws, Griffin, Larson, Miller, Nordman, and Youman. Others Present: Reising, Janes, Fritz, Kenney, Public Health Administrator Spangler, County Engineer Ciesiel, Interim HR Director Jacobs, County Clerk and Recorder Cook, Treasurer O’Brien, Rebecca Duke, Crum-Halsted Representative Adam Heal and Courtney Warren.
2. Approval of Minutes: November 12, 2025 – Motion by Griffin to approve minutes as presented and Youman seconds. Motion carries.
3. Public Comment: Cook states that the recent Interim HR Director job description does not include health insurance. She is wondering if that is included in this job description.
4. Approval of Bills
– County Clerk: $303.00 Motion by Griffin to approve and Daws seconds. Motion carries.
– Treasurer: $300.00 Motion by Youman to approve and Miller seconds. Motion carries.
– Finance: $2,652.36 Motion by Daws to approve and Larson seconds. Motion carries.
– Department Claims: $7,994.60 Motion by Larson to approve, Youman seconds. Motion carries.
5. Insurance:
– Insurance and Aggregate Report – Billeter states he does not have the aggregate report yet but the renewal rate came in at an 8% increase which he is pleased with considering what other increases have been.
– Property Casualty – CIRMA: Billeter asks Griffin to get a count of exactly how many claims we have right now with CIRMA.
– Insurance Program – Adam Heal from Crum-Halsted presents the Worker’s Comp renewal. It includes a 13% increase. Motion by Griffin to approve this renewal, 2nd by Nordman. Motion carries.
6. Department Reports:
County Clerk & Recorder: Cook thanks the board members that hosted the Hometown Leaders group last month. She thought it went really well and they were quite impressed. They should be back in 2 years when the next group comes through. Treasurer: O’Brien reports we’ve had the final tax distribution and she will now be working on the audit. She asks that everyone please remember to return audit letters to her as soon as possible. Human Resources: Jacobs reports she is working on open enrollment and processing pay increases.
7. Budget Review – FY 2025 Budget: Billeter states revenues are at 98% and expenses came in at 105%. He highlights a few areas in particular where there is overspending. The Sheriff’s budget was over by $440,740, Buildings & Grounds was over by $263,348, Corrections was over by $152,293 and Insurance came in higher by $172,165. He feels it’s time to bring in a budget consulting firm to analyze where costs can be reduced. Youman states bringing in this firm won’t hurt but the County Board needs to do better. He proposes consolidating committees and reducing the number of board members to show that we are serious about cutting costs.
8. Old Business: None
9. New Business
– Bond abatement: The annual bond abatement will need to be approved by the full Board next week.
Motion by Daws to send abatement to full County Board, 2nd by Larson. Motion carries.
– Bellwether Budget Consulting: Bruce, from Bellwether, explains the firm’s process to the committee. The cost of their services is $12,000. After some discussion, the committee agrees that the analysis will be a good tool for budgeting moving forward. Motion by Larson to bring on Bellwether Consulting to help with the FY27 Budget at a cost of $12,000.00, 2nd by Griffin. Motion carries.
– Enterprise Fleet Update: Griffin reports there was a presentation in Long Range from Enterprise regarding the budget for cars in Long Range which will be about $25,000. Oltmanns and Mudge will be working with them on more details.
– East Fiber Project: None
– Economic Development/ Grant Approval: None
– Hiring Freeze Position Review/ New Requests: None
10. Other Business for Consideration: None
11. Closed Session: None
12. Open Session: None
13. Adjournment: With no further business, Chairman Billeter adjourns the meeting at 5:09 p.m.
https://cms7files.revize.com/oglecounty/document_center/County%20Board/Committees/Finance%20and%20Insurance/2025/Finance%20and%20Insurance%20Committee%20Minutes%20December.pdf?t=202512121336490&t=202512121336490
