KANE COUNTY, Ill.  At its Nov. 12 Administration Committee meeting, Kane County commissioners approved a package of procurement and contract actions including a one-year extension for HVAC maintenance vendors, authorization to engage a natural-gas broker, state-contract IT purchases, a GIS software license, and the purchase of five tandem-axle trucks for the county transportation fleet. The committee also approved a proposal from the Elias Kent Cain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to place a Liberty Tree and a marker honoring five Revolutionary War patriots.

HVAC contract extension: Kevin Harris of building management explained that a previously awarded two-year HVAC maintenance contract with up to three one-year extensions (Bid 23-007) is now being extended for a second one-year term to maintain as-needed boiler, chiller and evaporator services. Harris said multiple vendors (including 1 Source Mechanical; Hartwig Mechanical; Air Comfort LLC; RJ ONeil; and F.E. Moran) are retained to ensure availability for emergencies. "This is just a 1 year extension on an as needed basis only," Harris said. Commissioner Juvy moved the resolution and Commissioner Arroyo seconded; the committee took a roll call and approved the extension.

Natural gas brokering: Roger Fonstock said the county buys about $300,000 of natural gas annually and recommended authorizing Tradition Energy to solicit supplier pricing and allow the chairman to execute a two-year supply agreement with optional one-year extensions if a favorable fixed price becomes available quickly. Fonstock estimated broker fees around $10,000$12,000 for the countys volume and said the broker process requires fast contract execution to lock fixed prices. Commissioners approved the authorization.

IT hardware and software via state contract: Charles Lasky (IT) presented two companion resolutions to use the State of Illinois contract (Presidio/Cisco) for hardware and software procurement. Lasky cited $950,000 in budgeted hardware purchases and said the county budgets about $1.2 million per fiscal year for software; he noted that staff continue to solicit competitive quotes on select items even when using state pricing. The committee approved both resolutions.

GIS license: Kurt Lebo (GIS) requested approval of a master license agreement with VertiGIS to define permitted uses ahead of purchase orders for software and professional services; civil-division review is complete and the committee approved the license.

Fleet purchases: Michael Way of the Kane County Division of Transportation requested approval to purchase five Kenworth tandem-axle cab-and-chassis units (four to be equipped as snowplows and one as a tractor truck). Staff said a $50,000 contingency is included because the truck bodies are manufactured in Canada and tariffs could change; staff previously placed $5,000 deposits per chassis to lock production slots. The committee approved the purchase.

Liberty Tree and historical marker: Jake Zimmerman, representing the Veterans Assistance Commission, introduced Christine Harmon, regent of the Elias Kent Cain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who requested permission to place a Liberty Tree sapling (American elm) and a marker near the 3rd Street Courthouse to honor five Revolutionary War patriots buried in Kane County. Harmon said the chapter is cultivating the tree and that location and final design will be coordinated with county staff. The committee approved the request.

Votes at a glance (motion, mover/second, outcome):
- Approval of minutes (Oct. 15, 2025): moved by Commissioner Roth; approved.
- HVAC maintenance contract one-year extension (Bid 23-007): moved by Commissioner Juvy; second by Commissioner Arroyo; approved.
- Natural-gas broker authorization (Tradition Energy): moved by Commissioner Duby; second by Commissioner Rosa; approved.
- IT hardware (State contract CMT4021089 / TMP1390): moved by Commissioner Arroyo; second by Commissioner Juby; approved.
- IT software (State contract CMT4021089 / TMP1392): moved by Commissioner Tooby; second by Commissioner Garcia; approved.
- VertiGIS master license (GIS): moved by Commissioner Duby; second by Commissioner Garcia; approved.
- Purchase of five tandem-axle Kenworth trucks (KDOT): moved by Commissioner Juby; second by Commissioner Garcia; approved.
- Liberty Tree and historical marker (Elias Kent Cain DAR): moved by Commissioner Royal (as listed); second by Commissioner Kuby; approved.

What this means: Most actions were routine procurement and contract-authority votes that staff said were budgeted or covered under existing purchase plans. Several approvals (IT and trucks) included specified budget amounts or contingencies; the Fabian Parkway valuation discussion (see separate item) will return to the committee for further review in December.

Commissioners placed reports on file and adjourned.