Deciding who should pay rising insurance costs was a major concern for many DeKalb County health workers at Wednesday night’s county board meeting.

Representatives from the American Federal State County and Municipal Employees, representing about 180 administrators and nurses, made a presentation to the board.

The workers, who have been without a contract since Nov. 30, have been asked to absorb rising health insurance costs, said Kate Romano, a member of the negotiation team for AFSCME.

The cost of insurance in Illinois has increased 25 percent, which is double the cost of the nation’s average, Romano said.

If paid by employees, at least half of all administrators and almost all nurses in the county will earn less than what they are making now, Romano said.

AFSCME representatives asked for respect in their efforts to continually uphold the county motto of “service, courage, pride and integrity,” Romano said.

Such recognition should be given with fair and equitable wages and care benefit packages, she said.

County Board Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias said she is sympathetic toward such issues and said Romano presented the situation in a fair light.

However, Tobias said she could not comment on negotiations while they are in progress.

The county board also passed several highway resolutions for the upcoming year.

Among this season’s construction projects, the board unanimously approved to enter into an agreement with the state of Illinois to resurface Shabbona Road. The estimated cost is $500,000 and the board agreed to a local reimbursement of $100,000.

Bethany Road is set for improvements and an extension at the cost of $687,384.

The board also unanimously approved a resolution to allow Shabbona to construct 700 feet of sidewalk extending along the east side of Shabbona Road.

Along with other projects, the construction season is officially underway.

“It’s our building season,” said Pat LaVigne of the county highway committee. “It looks like I’m spending a lot of money, but I’m not really.”

Many of the projects are in conjunction with state funding, she said.

The next county board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at the Legislative Center, 200 N. Main St.