FUNDING FOR WATER STUDY PROPOSAL

Mr. Paul Miller, DeKalb County Planning and Zoning Director, approached the committee about funding a Water Study Proposal that would include the Cities of DeKalb and Sycamore.  He stated that it would be a cooperative effort of the two cities and county to fund research on our ground water.  They are seeking to define the problem stage now.  The cities and the County do not know what we have or what needs to be done.  They are requesting $10,000 from each of the three entities to allow them to bring aboard a research scientist to tell them what is known, what isn’t known and identify our best alternative, said Mr. Miller.

This money is appropriated to offset the expenses of a scientist that we will bring on board to work through the Regional Plan Commission to craft the problems with our ground water and from there we would move on, explained Mr. Miller.  That would mean subsequent action and appropriation.  They would expect more participation from other units of local government.  The smaller communities then could approach their councils with our findings. The City of Sycamore has passed the request.

Mr. Miller further explained that this would go to the Regional Plan Commission with the expert having been identified by the participating administrators.

Vice-Chairman Faivre asked if the final report would include a short–term and long-term basis?

Mr. Miller said that he didn’t know, but that he hoped so. 

Mr. Faivre then asked, will the Regional Planning Commission come up with some guidelines?

Mr. Miller said that he felt that the experts that they have spoken to will do more than that. 

Mr. Hulseberg asked if we know how much McHenry County’s costs were for their water study?

Mr. Miller said that he did not know.  He said that maybe the experts would say that we don’t really need a large-scale study.  It could be the outcome of the study that we might have to pay more, he just didn’t know.

Mr. Miller further explained that he fully expects for the county and the cities to have a better understanding of what we need to do.

Moved by Mr. Augsburger, seconded by Mr. Steimel, and it was carried unanimously to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval, subject to Sycamore and DeKalb approving a similar appropriation.

Vice-Chairman Faivre said one more final thing on the subject by stating that he does not oppose the item, but he strongly feels that the guidelines need to be laid out.  He hopes that there will be a clearer handle on the ground water issue and what we need to do if it is not okay.  He hopes that the solutions will be prioritized.

CHANGING THE DATE OF THE FISCAL YEAR

          Mr. Hanson, DeKalb County Deputy County Administrator, said that he notified all of the county department heads about the proposed date change of the fiscal year.  He received no negative comments from anyone.  The auditors also said that they did not see a problem with changing the date.

          Moved by Mr. Steimel, seconded by Mr. Hulseberg, and it was carried unanimously to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval to change the fiscal year from December 1^st to January 1st.

Mr. Hanson reminded the committee that this issue would also need to go before the Forest Preserve Committee to discuss also.  They will need to send a resolution also on this issue to the full board for approval.

FY 2008 BUDGET CALENDAR 

          Mr. Hanson presented the FY2008 Budget Calendar for the committee.  He reminded the committee that on September 19^th he and County Administrator, Ray Bockman, would be holding a Question and Answer Forum for board members to further clarify the rationale behind the budget recommendation.  This will be at 6:00p.m prior to the monthly County Board meeting.

          He also said that by October 31, 2007 all board committees will complete their review of any appeals which may be filed concerning budgets for which they have over-sight.

          Mr. Millburg, from the audience, asked if this will be a 13-month budget year given the change in the fiscal year? 

          Mr. Hanson said no, we will be adding an additional month on to 2007 budget.  We will have to amend our 2007 budget, said Mr. Hanson. 

          It was the consensus of the committee to accept the budget calendar.

JULY MEETING DATE

          The committee agreed to move the meeting date to July 11, 2007 @ 7:00p.m., because of the July 4^th Holiday.

          Moved by Mr. Hulseberg, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to move the next finance committee meeting to July 11, 2007 @ 7:00p.m., if a meeting is needed.

ADJOURNMENT