Sangamon Sun

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 14

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, November 14, 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, State’s Attorney Gabe Gros boll, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. Treasurer Pam Bauser was absent.

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

Commissioner Fore moved to approve the Regular and Executive Minutes from the October 31, 2023, Board Meeting and the Special Budget Meeting Minutes from the October 24, 2023 Board Meeting. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests 

Menard County Oil Fund  

Steve Smith discussed the trouble that the Oil Fund is experiencing with equipment to the point that the equipment needs to be replaced. He asked if the County could loan money to the Oil Fund at a low interest rate. Steve advised that they are looking at purchasing a used distributor and chipper. After discussion with the Board, it was agreed that the County would loan $300,000.00 or more from the CRESCO fund to the Oil Fund at 3% interest over ten (10) years.

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.

Zoning Report/Requests for Board Action 

Joe Crowe, Zoning Officer, was in attendance and presented the Board with a proposed text amendment to the Menard County Zoning Ordinance defining Agritourism and making it allowable in Rural Residential. Various residents owning properties near the Bartenslager property spoke in opposition to the text amendment allowing for agritourism in Rural Residential. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Whitcomb made a motion to table the text amendment. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Zoning Officer Crowe also provided the Board with an update on changes made to Senate Bill 1699 affecting wind and solar.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action 

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and briefed the Board on the current jail census at nine (9) total inmates. He discussed transferring interest earned in a Foreclosure Account to an interest-bearing account.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action 

In the Treasurer’s absence, County Coordinator, Dara Worthington, presented the Board with a resignation letter from Treasurer Bauser. Additionally, Worthington presented the commissioners with the working copy of the FY24 Budget for their review.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action 

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that she has hired a Deputy Clerk who will be starting November 27, 2023.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action 

State’s Attorney Grosboll provided an overview of activities within his office. He advised the Board that the Supreme Court Rule passed which sets the hourly rate for attorneys hired for conflict cases at $150.00 per hour.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action 

County Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance and discussed various items such as the: HRA Expense Report, CRESCO check, IDPH violation, membership for IACBM for FY24, 2024 Board of Health meeting schedule, dates for courthouse dome repair and carpet for 2nd floor, DCEO grant update, GATA FY21 update, Christmas Party, December County Board Meetings for 2023, Personnel Policies update, UCCI Salary Survey, the Republican Central Committee recommendation for Treasurer and an explanation of the process for appointing a new Treasurer, and FY24 Budget approval timeline.

EMS/EMA Report/Requests for Board Action 

Kolbe Huss, Menard County EMS/EMA Chief, was in attendance and provided the Board with the end of month reports and provided the Board with an overview of activities within his office.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action 

Commissioner Whitcomb gave his thanks to Dara Worthington and Gabe Grosboll for helping with the County Farm bids.

Other Scheduled Topics 

Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Planning and Preparation including discussion of the following: Special Revenue and Fiduciary Fund preparation and review, as needed and General Fund Budget preparation and review.

Review and Award of bid for Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant 21-203359 for $25,000.00 for Menard County Courthouse doors. Commissioner Cummings made a motion to approve the bid from United Glass and DH Pace. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Award of Menard County Farm Lease Bid. Commissioner Whitcomb made a motion to approve the bid from Greg and Steve Hoke. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion/Award of the GASB 75 Bids for FY21 and FY22. Commissioner Cummings made a motion to award such to Menard Consulting, Inc. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment 

With no other business coming before the Board, Commissioner Brauer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/9817/0127/0763/11_14_23_Board_Minutes.pdf