The approval of the new fiscal year budget and appropriation along with the location of the new jail and a resolution opposing the Great Lakes Basin Railroad topped the discussion last night by the Ogle County board.
The county is looking at a balance budget in the general fund as revenues and expenditures come in at 14.2 million dollars.
Each department was asked to cut 2 percent from their budget. The appropriation will be lower for the fiscal year by around 2.5 million dollars. It totals 34.7 million dollars as the county is facing no debt.
The new jail is scheduled to be located west of the Judicial Center in Oregon along 6th Street. It will able to handle 180 to 200 prisoners.
The plans are to close 6th Street in Oregon with a sally port to connect the Judicial Center and the new jail.
City officials in Oregon have yet to approve the closure of 6th Street between Washington and Jefferson Streets for the project.
County officials had also look at the possibility of constructing the facility next to the Public Safety Complex in Oregon. The cost would increase by 20 percent at that location.
A resolution was approved opposing the Great Lakes Basin Railroad project in Ogle County. Sheriff Brian VanVickle said the project would cause many problems for area residents when it comes to closure of rural roads and traffic on the highways,
The vote last night was 23-1. Board member Ron Colson of Mt. Morris voted against the proposal.
Appointments last night included Dr. Mark Myers, Scott Scull and Bryan Zobeck to the Board of Health. Dennis Williams of Byron has also resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
A resolution was also appproved for Jerry Brooks of Oregon who became a honorary lifetime county board member. Brooks has been involved with Ogle County for 53 years which included the sheriff's department and a county board member. Jerry is also a former sheriff in Ogle County.
