County to honor Peter B. Austin with proclamation; Austin thanks staff

Chair announced a proclamation to honor Peter B. Austin's long service as McHenry County administrator, noting his appointment on June 27, 2005, and read the proclamation language into the record. The proclamation recognizes Austin's leadership, financial stewardship, and partnerships across county departments and regional agencies.

Austin addressed the committee and thanked the staff he called his 'wingmen' and highlighted specific employees and departments — naming Scott Hartman, Alicia Shuler (incoming deputy), Carrie Weiss and others — and praised the county’s long-term staff and partnerships. He described staff promotions and ongoing initiatives he said would leave the county well positioned for the future.

The committee did not take formal action beyond announcing the proclamation's reading and scheduled the formal recognition for the upcoming voting meeting.