Meeting record
Town Board — December 11, 2025
Summarized from the meeting minutes. Refer to the official documents below for the authoritative record.
The Nunda Township Board of Trustees met on December 11, 2025, to approve three tax levy ordinances for 2026 (Town, Road District, and Cemetery), along with routine warrants and claims. The Road District Commissioner cited financial challenges including depleted reserves, increased snow operations costs, and infrastructure failures requiring a levy increase; the Cemetery levy was increased modestly for management improvements.
Present: Karen Tynis (Trustee), Sheila Halasz (Trustee), Bob Murray (Trustee), Joe Bratanick (Trustee, absent), Kyle Bussenger (Township Clerk), Mike Shorten (Supervisor)
- 2026 tax levies and ordinances
- Road District funding crisis
- Covered Bridge drainage and infrastructure repairs
- Snow operations challenges
- Cemetery maintenance and levy increase
- General Assistance health insurance
- Equipment sales and replacement
- Phone system and internet upgrades
- Recycling center operations
- Township events and facility improvements
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5 Approval of November 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
Vote: unanimous Approved
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6A Road District Appropriation Transfer for Specific Line Items
No discussion provided.
Motion: Bob Murray moved, Sheila Halasz seconded
Approved
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6B Road District Warrants for Approval for Payment for December 11, 2025
No discussion provided. Total Road District claims authorized: $63,336.30 plus payroll of $92,231.39.
Motion: Karen Tynis moved, Bob Murray seconded
Approved
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6C Township Warrants for Approval for Payment for December 11, 2025
No discussion provided. Total Town claims authorized: $23,947.66 plus payroll of $46,380.07.
Motion: Karen Tynis moved, Sheila Halasz seconded
Approved
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8A Ordinance 2025-11-13-04 Levying Taxes for Nunda Township Purposes for the Tax Year 2025, Collectible in 2026
Board discussed potential General Assistance impacts from health insurance changes and approved an amended levy using only new growth to mitigate risk while limiting tax impact. Total Town levy set at $1,042,342.31, including $32,000 for General Assistance.
Motion: Karen Tynis moved, Bob Murray seconded
Vote: unanimous by roll call Approved
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8B Ordinance 2025-11-13-05 Levy of Taxes for Nunda Township Road District, McHenry County, Illinois for the Tax Year 2025, Collectible in 2026
Road District Commissioner outlined challenges: depleted reserves, increased overtime from 13 snow events, rising equipment repair costs, and significant infrastructure needs (drainage and pipe failures in Covered Bridge subdivision). Long-deferred maintenance and rising fuel, insurance, and material costs also cited. Proposed levy increase intended to restore sustainable funding, address critical infrastructure, rebuild minimal reserves, with abatements possible if revenues exceed needs. Amended budget to be addressed at public hearing and vote in January at 6:45 p.m.
Motion: Bob Murray moved, Karen Tynis seconded
Vote: unanimous by roll call Approved
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8C Ordinance 2025-11-13-06 Levying Taxes for Nunda Township Cemetery Purposes for the Tax Year 2025, Collectible in 2026
Board approved modest Cemetery levy increase to support improved management, recordkeeping, and anticipated maintenance costs. 2025 Cemetery levy set at $24,465.96, an increase of approximately $1,100 from prior year.
Motion: Bob Murray moved, Karen Tynis seconded
Vote: unanimous by roll call Approved
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9A Amended Road District Budget and Appropriation Ordinance
Road District has sold surplus equipment with revenues to be added to expense budget to support equipment replacement. Amended budget and appropriation ordinance will be addressed at public hearing and vote in January meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Other
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9B Phone System & Internet Service Upgrades
Phone system upgrades have been completed and functioning well. Internet service being tested through Verizon as lower-cost alternative to AT&T, with final decision expected after further evaluation.
Other
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9C Anita Sherwood Park
No updates provided; follow-up planned after the first of the year.
Other
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9D Office Consolidation
No updates provided; follow-up planned after the first of the year.
Other
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9E Activities
Board discussed implementing event evaluation form to document and improve Township events, beginning with the Santa event (reported as successful). Future events include Easter Egg Hunt, America 250 planning, and potential expansion of spring shredding event. Facility improvements under consideration include automated HVAC controls, upgraded door access systems, and continued office consolidation planning.
Other
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Highway Commissioner Report
Recycling center now closed weekends due to low demand and illegal dumping; locking site significantly reduced misuse and improved quality. Clean scrap recycling generating positive revenue; hazardous materials properly managed; used motor oil being repurposed as heating source for Township buildings. Covered Bridge drainage and tree removal work ongoing to address flooding; residents largely supportive. Snow operations challenged by 13 events; equipment breakdowns and minor property damage (mailboxes) being repaired. Safety improvements made to employee sleeping areas; leaf collection to resume when weather permits.
Other