Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 29

Menard County is named for Pierre Menard, who was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Feb 28, 2026

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Here are the minutes provided commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 South Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Ed Whitcomb, Troy Cummings, Rich Brauer, and Dalton Whitley were physically present. A quorum was present. County Coordinator Dara Worthington, State’s Attorney Gwen Thomas, and County Treasurer Molly Bettis were also physically present. County Clerk Marty Gum was not in attendance.

Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Consent Agenda which consisted of the Regular Board Minutes from January 13, 2026, along with the December 2025 monthly department expense reports. Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

Jason Booth and Jacob Janssen, representing the HOPETrust were in attendance and made a presentation of a dividend check from the HOPETrust. Mr. Booth gave a brief overview of the history of the trust noting that Menard County had been a member since January 1, 2014. The commissioners expressed their thanks to Mr. Booth and Mr. Janssen.

Scheduled County Elected Officials & Staff

Menard County Supervisor of Assessments’ Report/Request for Board Action

Dawn Kelton was in attendance and provided a report on her department’s activities. Ms. Kelton reported that Jared Williams had passed the Illinois Department of Revenue Board of Review test and would be appointed to the Menard County Board of Review in an action taking place later in the meeting. Kelton also noted that Randa Thomas, a 35 year employee of her department, had recently retired. A brief account was provided on a conference call with a consulting firm along with her professional recommendations for the county on that topic, specifically noting that the county needed to seek additional sources of revenue.

Menard County EMS/EMA Chief’s Report/Request for Board Action

Chief Kolbe Huss was in attendance. In-house billing clerk Missy Bowen was introduced to board members. Huss reported on his department’s activities for the first month of the calendar year. A short discussion occurred regarding building signage/dedication. Huss will be seeking bids for groundskeeping.

County Engineer’s Report/Request for Board Action

Engineer Dowd was in attendance and provided an overview of his departmental activities.

County Sheriff’s Report/Request for Board Action

Sheriff Oller was in attendance and reported the current jail census being at five male and one female inmate. Oller advised the commissioners on some work being completed at the jail, the Annex, and the Courthouse.

County Treasurer’s Report/Request for Board Action

Treasurer Molly Bettis was in attendance. Bettis reported on the activities within her department including budget books, the ongoing audit, the Inmate Fund audit, and the new server. Ms. Bettis reported that all departments except one were under budget for FY25.

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

In County Clerk Marty Gum’s absence, Coordinator Worthington presented a liquor license for approval. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve the requested liquor license and Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

County State’s Attorney/Request for Board Action

State’s Attorney Gwen Thomas was in attendance. Thomas provided a quick update on the status of the possible jury trials, the need to obtain quotes for desktop computers, and the need for a new desk as a result of the upcoming move to a different office. A discussion was held on the topic of elected officials’ salaries.

Menard County Fair President Update

Menard County Fair Board President Ben Hollis was present and upon being questioned about the county fair, he provided an overview of the work being done on the fairgrounds and their building needs. Hollis thanked the commissioners for their support.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance. Worthington requested 2026 appointments for oversight on the different county committees. Discussion ensued.

A request was made of the board for their continued financial support of the electronics recycling program. It was the consensus of the board to sponsor the event again on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 AM until Noon.

There was discussion on the status of and timeline for filling the vacant seat for District #4 Commissioner.

Individual Board of Commissioners’ Reports/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings reported on the recent Sunny Acres Nursing Home Advisory Board meeting. Commissioner Whitcomb reported that MAP is interested in applying for a grant for possible construction of a meet and greet adoption center. Commissioner Brauer questioned the status of the old Shamel Manor parcel.

County Zoning Administrator’s Report/Request for Board Action

Zoning Administrator Joe Crowe was in attendance. Crowe presented the commissioners with a 2022 – 2025 Menard County Building Permit Trends packet and provided a brief overview of the contents. An update was provided on ENGIE, the RCM public hearing, the historical context of the RCM site, and the move to the Annex.

Commissioner Brauer complimented Crowe on his contribution at the recent ENGIE public hearing.

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