Board withdraws claims proposal: Jo Daviess County Board puts date on emergency declaration resolution

HANOVER–The Jo Daviess County Board made history on Friday, March 27 when only two board members–chairman Scott Toot and member Bob O’Connor–were physically present at the meeting. The meeting still went on as the rest of the county board members attended via audio call-in.

Board member Don Zillig withdrew a motion that he made to establish an emergency claims committee consisting of the county board chair, finance committee chair and executive committee chair.

During discussion, board member and executive committee chair Steve Allendorf said he requested that this agenda be placed for the special board meeting and that the committee would dissolve at the end of the pandemic.

“We are trying to come up with some method and process that we can get our vendors paid,” said Allendorf. “It is a financially difficult time for everyone and we don’t want to be withholding or slow in getting things paid.”

Allendorf said with the uncertainty of future board meetings being held due to the coronavirus pandemic this committee will be a mechanism until the pandemic subsides.

Board member Don Hill was concerned about being able to view claims online.

“I have concerns about the way things would operate,” said Hill. “I don’t think we need to go from the normal way we pay the bills right now.”

Hay said that the committee would have to hold a public meeting and that there would need to be access to the information.

County Clerk Angie Kaiser asked the board if the regular county board meeting was cancelled.

“As far as I am aware, the only meetings that have been cancelled are all of those that are taking place during the stay at home order, which at this point stops on April 8,” said State’s Attorney John Hay. “As of right now, we still have a scheduled county board meeting, unless and until that stay at home order is extended by the governor’s office.

“If the county board meeting isn’t cancelled, why are we doing this?” asked Kaiser. “We already have a process in place. I am just wondering why this committee is being formed if county board hasn’t been cancelled?”

“To answer Angie’s comment or criticism, or whatever it was and to anyone else, it was brought up at one of these meetings that the county board meeting could be cancelled,” said Allendorf. “It was my idea that we have a mechanism that we could still maintain paying our bills to the vendors. If that is not true, that we are going to go ahead with the regularly scheduled meeting, then I will withdraw the idea and we can move on.”

Toot said his concern with withdrawing the motion was if there would be enough members of the board that become ill that he wasn’t sure if they could meet if they don’t have a quorum.

“I think you at least have to have a quorum established by teleconference,” said Hay.

Hay said based on the previous meeting the county board would still hold the meetings, as well as executive and finance committee meetings, while the disaster declaration is in place.

Hay said that after the safe at home order was enacted he recommended no meetings be held unless absolutely necessary.

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t have the regular county board meetings on a teleconference and have an agenda in front of us like we have right now,” said board member LaDon Trost.

Melisa Hammer, county treasurer, said that the claims would still go in front of the county board after the coronavirus pandemic subsides. She didn’t see the need for the extra step and that the claims would be looked at twice because the board would still need the final approval.

“I agree with what Angie and Melisa have said and I would follow Steve to withdraw the motion,” said Hill.

“On one hand, I understand the need for some sort of mechanism to pop up for emergency claims,” said O’Connor. “I think this resolution needs to be reexamined and tightened up with both the scope of what the committee is allowed to pay, how long it is in existence and what exactly they are allowed to vote on.”

“What Angie and Melisa spoke about could have been solved in 20 minutes. They have great ideas and I feel that we should trust them,” said board member Lucas Bourquin.

“I never dreamt that this would cause this much controversy,” said Allendorf. “It was done in good faith to ensure that our vendors would be taken care of.”

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Smith recommended the idea be reexamined in the future as the pandemic progresses.

“I am disappointed in what I thought was a good idea and the comments and some of the things that were said. It is frustrating, and perhaps we lost sight in what I thought we would be able to and take care of our vendors,” said Allendorf.

 

Emergency declaration

The county board also approved an amendment to the emergency declaration approved at the special county board meeting March 19. The amendment brings the declaration to an end on May 31, unless extended by the county board.

“In essence, Chuck Pedersen let us know that the regional Illinois Emergency Management Association (IEMA) director came back and told him that we need an end date for our disaster proclamation,” said Hay. “I went back and reviewed the statute and the statute is very clear that the county board chair can call a disaster declaration for seven days and if it lasts for more than seven days then the chair needs the consent of the county board, but does not indicate anywhere in the statute that you need to have an end date.”

Hay said the county did everything correctly, but was concerned that this not limit state funds to the county.

 

Board member concerns

Many board members voiced support and thanks to the county employees and department heads for their work during the pandemic.

“I think that everyone that is involved, all of our employees and officials, are just doing a super job. I hope other counties have as good of staff as we do. They are keeping everyone informed,” said Zillig.

Board member Hendrica Regez was concerned about the number of cars she has seen at stores recently and wanted to remind everyone to adhere to the governor’s stay-at-home order.

Bourquin stated his concern that he feels that the health department should be a priority for the board.

“They have done a great job and I applaud the work being done by Sandra (Schleicher, public health administrator), we really have a good asset there,” said Bourquin.

Board members John Schultz and Regez both commented on the lack of quality with the meeting and the teleconferencing.

“This meeting method is certainly a poor substitute for meeting in person and hopefully someday we will get back to something that actually passes as normal,” said Schultz.

Toot said he has discussed with Pedersen and Sheriff Kevin Turner a growing concern that part-time home owners have moved back to Galena Territory, Apple Canyon Lake and other second homes in the area during the pandemic. He said that even though the county might seem to have a population of 23,000, it is higher now than normal which increases the need for emergency services and potential hospital services during this time.

“We still have the same emergency services that we had prior,” said Toot. “This potentially could put an increased strain on an already fragile system.”

Toot was provided with a contact for the governor’s chief of staff, Anne Caprara. Toot said he called numerous times over the past few days to ask for a return call about his concerns. He said he hasn’t received a call back.

“I am really troubled by that because our county is unique and we have all these second homes for folks and this has increased our population in the face of this COVID crisis,” said Toot. “It was a point brought up and Chuck has spoken to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) director about it. This is just a situation that we have now, we have a lot of people in the county now. We are responsible for everyone in the county, whether they are full or part-time residents.”

Toot also explained the process the health department takes when reporting a case.

“The health department gets the results. They report them to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH),” said Toot. “It is embargoed until the governor gives his press conference at 2:30 and then an email goes out while he is speaking authorizing the health departments to release the information. They are only saying counties; they aren’t saying what towns they live in.”

Toot said the information provided is general and