Some concern was expressed regarding the jail rental program since the income from this program may not be a prolific as in past. However, it now appears it will equal the anticipated $10.5 million. If this funding from the federal government is eliminated, it means that county costs will have to be reviewed and reductions made.
The tax rate for the county is not anticipated to increase more than 5% for the next year, therefore a truth in taxation public hearing will not be required prior to the adoption of the budget and levy for the following year.
The public portion of the County Board meeting was dominated by objectors to the proposed McHenry County Sportsplex LLC in Lakewood. It involves considerable acreage annexed to the Village of Lakewood on the west side of Route 47 along Pleasantville Road area.
Residents in this area are not happy with the proposed Sportsplex. The large numbers of visitors expressed various objections to the proposal which also includes a retail development as proposed by the Village.
The development was before the County Board because of a requirement that the County Board approve the extension of the closing date for the Recovery Zone Volume Cap bonds to December 31, 2010. If funding for these bonds has not been found the bonds will revert back to the county for redistribution.
Objectors included residents of the area surrounding the proposed project which is to be located along Pleasant Valley Road on the west side of Route 47 on land that is primarily wet land. Although two endangered species are reported to exist in this area including the Blanding's Turtle and a rare orchid.
Most of the comments from the 96 public members included 93 in opposition to the proposal with three comments in support. Comments of opposition mainly related to the added traffic, noise and light pollution anticipated from the project.
The County Board voted 15-8 approval to extend the closing date for the bonds related to this project to December 31, 2010. The County Board members voting in opposition included District 1, Yvonne Barnes-R; District 2, James Heisler-R; District 3, Kathleen Bergan –Schmidt-D; District 4, John Hammerand-R; District 5, Paula Yensen-D; District 6, Randall Donley-R and Ersel Schuster-R., and Mary McCann-R.
No comments:
Post a Comment