Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 31

Menard County is named for Pierre Menard, who was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | http://www.courthouses.co/

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jan 4, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 31.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Jeff Fore, Rich Brauer, and Troy Cummings were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Marty Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll and Treasurer Pam Bauser were absent.

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

Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Regular and Executive Minutes from the October 10, 2023 Board Meeting and the Special Meeting Minutes from the October 24, 2023 Meeting as well as the monthly department expense reports. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

Jason Huffman, Menard County Republican Committee Chairperson, was present to discuss with the Board the appointment of someone to replace Menard County Treasurer Pam Bauser upon her retirement on December 31, 2023. He inquired about the process with regard to the upcoming election. Clerk Gum advised that she would check with the State Board of Elections and bring such information to the Board at the November 28, 2023 Board Meeting.

Menard County Health Department Report/Requests for Board Action

John Ridley was in attendance and introduced himself and presented the Board with an overview of his background and plans for the local Menard County Health Department Clinic.

Menard County Animal Control Report/Requests for Board Action

Terry O’Brien, DVM, Animal Control Administrator, was in attendance and provided the Board with the proposed FY24 budget for Animal Control.

Menard County Coroner Report/Requests for Board Action

Ben Hollis, Menard County Coroner, was in attendance and reviewed the FY24 Budget for his department.

Highway Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Corey Dowd, Highway Engineer, was in attendance and updated the Board with the current projects happening within the Department. Commissioner Brauer inquired about the yield sign at the railroad intersection of Sunny Acres Road and Chautauqua Road. Engineer Dowd advised that the placement of those signs at that intersection were per the order of the ICC.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Chief Deputy Sheriff, Ben Hollis was in attendance and briefed the Board on the current jail census at thirteen total inmates. He discussed the status of the new truck purchased from Nikles of Petersburg.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

In the Treasurer’s absence, Chief Deputy Treasurer Roseanne Snyder presented the Board with the financials reports and provided the Board with an update on the Certificates of Deposit. She inquired as to the amount of the transfer from the General Fund to the Building Fund. The Board advised that number will be determined once the FY24 budget is close to being finalized. She advised that the City of Athens is inquiring about the final disbursement of their ARPA Funds by the County.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that her Deputy Clerk had left for another position and requested the Board reevaluate the salary of her employees to hire for the positions of Deputy Recorder and Deputy Clerk. The commissioners advised that she work within her budget.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance and presented Health Department bills for payment approval. Commissioner Fore moved to approve the payment. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington requested 10/26/2021, 11/08/2022, 04/11/2023, 04/25/2023, and 05/09/2023 Executive Session minutes all remain closed. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed various items such as: funds received from Central Illinois Services for provision of public health services, DCEO grant update, employment status of Zoning Officer from part time to full time, update to personnel policies,

Governor’s Travel Control Board Rates, dome project to begin 11/10/2023, carpet for the 2nd floor, farm auction being held 11/14/2023 at 5:00 pm, GATA 2021, Noxious Weed reports submitted to the Illinois Department of Ag, FY23 Annual Probation Plan accepted by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Carson Power and Solar, and 2024 Snedeker Conference information.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings provided an update on the money spent by Sunny Acres on Agency in September, raises for the C.N.A.’s as well as repairs being made to the roof units at Sunny Acres.

Commissioner Brauer also discussed the wish list from Sunny Acres for FY24.

Commissioner Fore thanked Highway Engineer Dowd for his prompt response to his inquiry of the passing zone near Ingram Road and Athens Blacktop.