Menard County Board of Commissioners met June 27

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Aug 30, 2023

Menard County Board of Commissioners met June 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Ed Whitcomb, Jeff Fore, Troy Cummings, and Rich Brauer were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, State’s Attorney Gabe Gros boll, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. Chairperson Bob Lott and Treasurer Pam Bauser were absent.

Interim Chairperson Jeff Fore called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Regular Minutes from June 13, 2023. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

County EMS/EMA Report/Requests for Board Action

Kolby Huss, EMS/EMA Chief, was in attendance and presented the Board with an update on his department and advised that he has hired two new full-time employees, leaving just one remaining vacancy.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Corey Dowd, County Highway Engineer, requested a consensus of the Board for the 2023 HSIP Application Submittal for Athens Blacktop, Segment F. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that the application be submitted. Dowd presented the Board with an update on his department’s current projects.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and provided the board with an update on departmental activities. The current jail census has a total of 8 male inmates. Sheriff Oller also advised the Board that the new handheld radios have arrived and advised the Board of the different law enforcement agencies that are going to provide additional security for the concert at the Menard County Fair.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

In the Treasurer’s absence, Coordinator Worthington presented the Board with a printout of the CDs along with their rates.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and presented an application for display of fireworks for Lake Petersburg Association for review and approval. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the application. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and presented the Board with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town & Country Women’s Club.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and discussed items such as: Prairie Skies Public Library District; Sexual Harassment Annual Training will be in July, 2023; Menard County Farm Bureau Appreciation Day dinner; Countryside Estates accounts are up to date with the County; open house for Countryside Estates; sample window; County Farm Lease; City of Athens ARPA Project; Village of Greenview ARPA Project; Sunny Acres Nursing Home room rate adjustment; resume from Patricia Carpenter for the Administrator position at Sunny Acres Nursing Home; retirement of Dawn Muller; last day for Amanda Espenschied and new hire Lindsey Shaub in her place; audit currently on track; Heritage and bid publication for building specs; and the wiring in the County Board Room should be ready for presentations.

Coordinator Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from June 11, 2020, December 29, 2020, June 8, 2021, and June 29, 2021, remain closed and that the Executive Session Minutes from December 13, 2022, be opened. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer advised the Board that the placement of the speed trailer near New Salem State Park slowed a lot of traffic down and he gave recognition to Coordinator Worthington for all her hard work with Sunny Acres Nursing Home.

Commissioner Cummings advised the Board that the shower project is near completion at Sunny Acres Nursing Home and that the south wing is getting new flooring. He also advised that there are five vacancies at Countryside Estates.

Commissioner Fore advised the Board that several of the residents in Road District #9 are pleased with the work being done.

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