Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 9

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Feb 7, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM. 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, Treasurer Molly Bettis, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present.

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

Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the Consent Agenda which included the Regular Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from December 13, 2023. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Zoning Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Zoning Administrator Gwen Thomas and Zoning Officer Joe Crowe were present to report on departmental activities. Zoning Officer Crowe reported on office activities which included: update on the former Roots building, Tallula water treatment plant and nuisance properties, Agritourism and the Menard County Farm Bureau, Chautauqua Park’s new HOA, the incoming Planning Commission member, 2024 property tax bill insert, proposed new Zoning Board of Appeals Chair, and an upcoming Central Illinois Zoning Officers meeting.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Highway Engineer Dowd presented the Board with a Joint Funding Agreement for Preliminary Engineering/Right of Way with IDOT for 18-00068-00-BT (Sangamon Valley Trail) for approval. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve the agreement and Commissioner Fore seconded that motion. The motion carried with three “ayes” and two “nays”. Motion carried.

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

Chief Deputy Ben Hollis was in attendance in Sheriff Mark Oller’s absence and updated the Board on the current jail census at a total of six inmates. Hollis reported that the new CAD system was up and running and thanked the commissioner for the ARPA funding for the new system. Hollis also reported that Phil Miller has been hired as the

Jail Administrator and advised the Board of a water leak reported as being on the county’s side which needed repair. It was agreed that the repair should be paid for from Fund 058.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Molly Bettis was present and provided an overview of the November 2023 departmental reports. Bettis noted that the current Montgomery County Treasurer has been appointed as her mentor through the Illinois County Treasurers Association.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and reported that Spring Break should be corrected on Resolution 29A-23. The corrected date should be March 29. A correction will be made to that schedule at the next board meeting.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and provided an update on the State’s Attorney conference he attended in December. From that conference, there is no expectation of any changes to the Safe-T Act this year. Grosboll noted that the county should expect a mandated increase in the hourly rate charged for Public Defenders.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and requested that Executive Session Minutes from June 27, 2023, remain closed. Commissioner Fore moved to approve the request. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington reviewed the following: ICRMT payment one of six will be made, Kroll appraisal update, DCEO reports were filed and a reimbursement check should be forthcoming, GASB 75 Actuarial Report is complete with a meeting scheduled with the new audit team on January 11, ARPA funding report including interest, the need for updated Animal Control IGAs, new lease documents for Countryside Estates residents, Middletown Fire Protection District reporting for 2023, the frequency of holding various board meetings, the new treasurer’s preparations, and salary vouchering.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings commented upon the Health Reimbursement Arrangement report while Chairperson Lott inquired about the frequency of the meetings of the different boards for the county. Lott questioned whether some meetings could be held quarterly rather than monthly in order that the volunteers’ time was considered.

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