Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 10

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 12, 2023

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Jeff Fore, Troy Cummings, Ed Whitcomb, and Rich Brauer were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, Sheriff Mark Oller, and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present. Treasurer Pam Bauser was absent.

Chairperson Bob Lott called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Regular Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from September 12, 2023. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Highway Engineer Dowd presented the Board with a Modification Affidavit for 09-00056- 05-EG (Athens Blacktop) for Extending Agreement with IDOT for Right-of-Way Acquisition along the Blacktop Corridor. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Dowd presented the Board with an update on his department’s current projects. Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Oller was in attendance and updated the Board on the current jail census at a total of 12 inmates; advised the Board about new carpet going in on the second floor on the south side and in the Assessor’s Office; advised that the DCEO Grant of $25,000 will go towards the new doors; and updated the Board on the dome work and the Public Building Study Group.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

In the Treasurer’s absence, Chief Deputy Treasurer Roseanne Snyder presented the Board with the financials reports, provided the Board with an update on four Certificates of Deposit as well as a General Fund update.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and presented the Board with Resolution 36-23 Establishing Compensation for Judges of Election. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. This shall be known as Resolution 36-23.

Clerk Gum also presented the Board with Resolution 39-23 appointment of 2024 Menard County Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. This shall be known as Resolution 39-23.

County Clerk Gum presented a liquor license application for Just the Basics, LLC for review and approval. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the application. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Gum also discussed items such as: the County Clerk’s Office being the Vote Center during the 2024 Primary and General Elections; certification program launched by IACCR and the ongoing refusal by Illinois Secretary of State for the disposition of the 2020 and 2022 Election Materials.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and provided an update on Child Advocacy Center Agreement; discussion of Heritage Agreement; no word from the Village of Tallula regarding ARPA Funding; update on ARPA Funding for the Village of Oakford and an update on the Safety Act and how it has changed things for his office.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and requested that Executive Session Minutes from September 10, 2019, October 8, 2019, August 30, 2022, March 14, 2023 and March 28, 2023 remain closed. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: Hope Trust Plaque, HRP Report, Snedeker Risk Management becoming third party administrator for health insurance, open enrollment for employee health insurance, schedule for budget meetings, IDPH staffing violation, Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreements, new administrator John Ridley for IDPH, Paid Leave for All Workers, elected officials salaries, county farm lease auction, SMART update, Lexipol update, and CAD system update.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer inquired about the current Petersburg Police Department staffing. Sheriff Oller advised that they are not fully staffed at this time.

Commissioner Fore advised that he received a call regarding the passing zone on Athens Blacktop near Ingram Road. Highway Engineer Dowd advised that he will follow up.

Commissioner Cummings advised that Sunny Acres Nursing Home is currently has an occupancy of 91 and asked that the new Lease with Countryside Estates be reviewed for the call light system.

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