State Rep. David Wirsing (R-Sycamore) was honored for his excellence in the community Wednesday night at the DeKalb County Board meeting.

A plaque was presented by board chairman Robert Pritchard in honor of the representative, who died Sunday of a heart attack.

Pritchard said in his speech that he wished to express respect and gratitude to Wirsing. Pritchard also said it was important for the people to remember and sympathize with the family.

Also receiving awards were Jerry Ledbetter and Rich Buehler, who were recognized for their service with highway maintenance for the past 25 years. Bonnie Meier received an award for 30 years of service with the circuit court’s office.

The first business discussed at the meeting was for the zoning text amendment. The proposal was to adopt a digital zoning map for DeKalb County and replace the current map.

Paul Miller, planning and zoning director, said the new digital maps would increase accuracy.

“There are advancements with the digital maps; ambiguities and errors will be corrected,” Miller said.

The motion needed a majority vote of at least 18 votes to pass. The motion was approved.

A resolution to accept credit card payments for fees, taxes and miscellaneous revenues for county departments also was heard.

“This would be a convenience for many, but it masks a high degree of stress for taxpayers to pay taxes,” said county board member Joseph Wiegand.

Despite the discussion, the motion was passed by the board.

A resolution also was heard for the property tax abatement program. It would help support a three-year decrease in tax abatement to Continental Custom Ingredients, Inc.

The tax abatement would equal $25,500 over a three-year period. The motion was passed by the board.

The board also passed hearings for the adoption of the property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2004. The adoption of the FY2004 budget and an increase in certain court fees also were passed.

The increase will begin Dec. 1, and was approved previously by the state of Illinois.