Winnebago County board approves tax-levy abatements, Baxter Road watermain extension and electronics-recycling opt-in; housing authority appointment passes with

The Winnebago County board on Feb. 8 approved several routine and project-related items, including a package of ordinances to abate property tax levies, a watermain extension on Baxter Road with reimbursement from the village of New Milford, and a resolution to opt into the Illinois electronics-recycling program for program year 2025.

Finance Committee chair presented 10 previously read ordinances that the board moved to adopt collectively "for the abatement of property tax levies." The chair called for objections; none were voiced and members were told to cast "yes for all members present." The finance motion was moved and seconded on the record and the board approved the package.

On infrastructure, Economic Development Committee members moved and the board approved a resolution to extend the county’s waterline on Baxter Road in cooperation with the village of New Milford. County staff member Mr. Dornbush said the project covers a county portion under Route 39 and an adjacent village extension; he described a 2012 agreement and said the village will reimburse the county for its expenses, estimating the village contribution at about $760,000 (sometimes rounded to $800,000 in discussion) and that New Milford will reimburse any county expenses within 30 days. The county’s portion will be sent out for bid in the near term.

On the recycling item, Mr. Sweeney moved that Winnebago County opt into the Illinois electronics-recycling program for 2025. County staff said the program is operated by Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) at two locations and that customers typically pay for disposal; the county’s participation was presented as a compliance step with a state requirement and not a county-funded program. Board members raised questions about limited drop-off hours and potential demand; staff said the county partners with KNIB and that Boone County runs a different model locally.

Appointments were handled during the meeting. The chair placed the Administrative Hearing Officer appointment for Kimberly Cavanda before the board (placement announced); no recorded vote on that item appears in the transcript. The board approved an appointment to the NYREACH board (Winnebago County Housing Authority) to fill the remainder of a five-year term held by Frank Gambino. Mr. Guevara moved and Mr. Arena seconded the Gambino appointment; Mr. Sweeney announced an abstention because he is a licensed agent with Gambino Realtors and the clerk recorded the abstention while other members approved the appointment.

What this means: The ordinances and resolutions passed at the meeting authorize administrative steps (abatements and project approvals) and a county-unit partnership with New Milford that includes a reimbursement commitment by the village. The electronics-recycling resolution places the county in a state program for 2025 without a county funding commitment. The Gambino appointment passed with an on-record abstention by a board member citing a business relationship.

Selected quotes from the meeting:
"This is the extension of the waterline down off of Baxter Road," said Mr. Dornbush, explaining the scope and reimbursement arrangement.
"The reason we're opting in to something that isn't costing us any money is to be in compliance with the state law," said Mr. Sweeney about the electronics-recycling item.
"I'm not opposed, but I am a licensed agent with Gambino Realtors ... I just will abstain just for the appearance purposes," Mr. Sweeney said when the Gambino appointment was considered.

The board adjourned after routine announcements. Several items — including the watermain bidding schedule and the mechanics of KNIB drop-off hours — were left to staff follow-up or separate votes, and no further formal votes on those operational details were recorded at the Feb. 8 meeting.