Kane County Reporter

Kane County Public Health Committee met Aug. 20

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

STRATHMANN, Sanchez, Arroyo, Juby, Penesis, Tarver, Young, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

1. Call To Order

Chairman Strathmann called today's meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member Leslie Juby

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

REMOTE Board Member Bill Tarver

ABSENT Board Member Alex Arroyo

Board Member Ted Penesis

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

REM NO VOTE Board Member David Young

Also present: Co. Bd. members Allan*, Molina*; KCAC Admin. Younsteadt; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson and staff Barrett, Peterson; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public.

3. Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Strathmann announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

She asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Tarver attending remotely. There were no objections.

4. Approval of Minutes: July 16, 2025

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Jarett Sanchez

5. Public Comment

Kane County resident Lori Powell spoke on her request for equal access to the Religious Exemption form on the Kane County Health Department (KCHD) website. She noted that in the beginning of 2025, the KCHD added a link to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) after months of public requests. This was an important step towards transparency helping residents access information about potential adverse reactions to vaccines. However, Powell stated that general informed consent is still incomplete without equal access to all legally, recognized options. This is Powell's third, formal request to the KCHD to include the immunizations link on the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption form.

6. Finance/Budget

A. Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

7. Animal Control

A. Monthly Report

Kane County Animal Control (KCAC) Admin. Youngsteadt announced that the monthly reports are on file. He reminded the Committee that Saturday, August 23, 2025 is the first low-cost rabies and microchip clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be two more clinics held one on Wednesday, September 17, and the other on Saturday, October 18.

B. KCAC FY2026 Budget Presentation

Kane County Animal Control (KCAC) Admin. Youngsteadt provided a organizational chart indicating all fifteen budgeted positions of the KCAC. He stated that tag fees are conducted from January 1 to December 31. He explained that tag fees do not coincide with the Kane County fiscal year. Additionally, there is no ordinance or law for how fast certificates or money is received from the veterinarians. On average, Youngsteadt noted that it takes 2-3 years before revenue shows. The KCAC is funded by the purchase of rabies tags. KCAC does not receive general revenue dollars to pay employees. There is a potential $72K increase in revenue. All services that have a fee are registration for tags, and fees to animal owners. KCAC's revenue is 96% generated from tag fees. The remaining 2% to 4% comes from miscellaneous services such as adoptions, rescues, and return to owner services. All commodities for animal care supplies and utilities are expected to increase. Animal Control continues to focus on the timely collection of fees that ensure financial sustainability. They continue to have one of the lowest tag fees in the collar counties. Further discussion took place.

8. Executive Director

A. Authorizing Opioid Response Community Implementation Projects

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Finance and Budget Committee

MOVER: Leslie Juby

SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez

AYE: Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Bill Tarver, and Bill Roth

ABSENT: Alex Arroyo, Ted Penesis, and Corinne M. Pierog

B. Authorizing Amendment to the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, Enhancing Children’s Mental Health through Family-run Organizations Grant

KC Executive Committee

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

TO: KC Executive Committee

MOVER: Jarett Sanchez

SECONDER: Leslie Juby

AYE: Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Bill Tarver, and Bill Roth

ABSENT: Alex Arroyo, Ted Penesis, and Corinne M. Pierog

C. KCHD FY2026 Budget Presentation (not attached)

Kane County Health Department Exec. Dir. Isaacson presented the FY26 Budget Presentation. He explained what the ten essential public health services are and how they work. These ten essential services provide a framework for public health to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities. Isaacson noted that the KCHD is not funded by the General Fund. There is a special public health levy in the amount of $2M that the Health Department receives funding from. He provided an organizational chart of all the Health Department divisions and departments. The Health Department is broken up into several funds including the Opioid Settlement Fund, County Health, Kane Kares, American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Behavioral Health Project, Homeless Management Information System, Continuum of Care, and the Home Investment Partnership Program. Isaacson reviewed the KCHD Budget Revenue by category. Grants make up 34.2% of KCHD revenue. Isaacson expects to see an increase in licenses and permits. He noted that the Health Department is seeking expansion and improvements for providing program services by procuring a new electronic health records system, and upgrading the environmental health software. Applications are currently under review. He reviewed the KCHD budget expenses, which is largely personnel costs. This includes 53% payroll, 31% contractual services, 5.6% commodities, and 7.2% capital expenses. Lastly, Isaacson noted that last year the KCHD budgeted for 125 employees. Due to the federal changes and cuts, the Health Department has reduced the total headcount significantly for 2025. Further discussion took place.

9. Old Business

None.

12. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Jarett Sanchez

10. New Business

None.

11. Executive Session (if needed)

None.

13. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

MOVER: Bill Roth

SECONDER: Leslie Juby

This meeting was adjourned at 9:39 a.m.

https://www.kanecountyil.gov/MeetingMinutes/7552/25-08-20.pdf