Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 30

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 1, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 30.

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, 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, Sheriff Mark Oller, and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present. Commissioner Jeff Fore 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 January 9, 2024, as well as the Special Meeting Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from January 12, 2024. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Steve Smith – Menard County Oil Fund

Road Commissioner Steve Smith was present to express his appreciation as well the appreciation of the other Menard County Road Commissioners to the County Board for the use of Cresco Funds to purchase a new Distributor. Smith also advised the Board that they are waiting on the new Chip Spreader.

Joe Crowe – Menard County Zoning Officer

Zoning Officer Crowe was in attendance and presented the Board with a 2023 Building Permit Report. Crowe provided an overview of recent meetings and conferences he has attended. Crowe advised that the Indian Creek hearings are currently at a standstill.

Gwen Thomas, Zoning Administrator, provided an update on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency case with the old Shamel Manor property.

Kolbe Huss – EMS/EMA Chief

EMS/EMA Chief Huss was in attendance and advised the Board of an issue with one of the furnaces at the EMS building. Due to the temperatures, the situation was deemed emergency in nature and the furnace was replaced. He provided the Board with an overview of the proposed new vehicle to replace the current Dodge pickup truck.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Highway Engineer Dowd was in attendance and presented the Board with an update on his department’s current projects as well as his new hire, Cody King.

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 eight inmates; advised the Board about a water main break at the jail; and updated the Board on the new doors for the Courthouse that have been ordered.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and advised the Board of her new part-time hire, Amy Ruppel, discussed re-investing Certificate of Deposit’s for a better rate, and reported that the entry of the FY24 budget into the system is complete. Treasurer Bettis informed the commissioners that she has completed the IMRF training and relayed that the DevNet Representative will be here Monday, February 5, 2024.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that ballots for the General Primary to be held on March 19, 2024, have been ordered and advised that the FY23 taxes for the count have been completed. Gum also advised the Board of the recent Electoral Board hearings and the outcome therefrom.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and provided an update on the Safe-T Act and its impact on court procedure. Gros boll advised that there would be a jury trial in February 2024.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

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

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from July 30, 2019, January 12, 2021, and July 12, 2022, remain closed. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: ARPA Revenues, a proposal to expend the remaining balance of ARPA funding along with Cresco for Courthouse windows, the necessity to update Intergovernmental Agreements for Animal Control, reported that salaries for elected officials must be set by resolution 180 days prior to them taking office, reminded the commissioners of their request for an update to Lexipol, reported that UCCI paid the NACO annual dues, reported that the IDOT vehicle application for Senior Transportation was turned down, provided Dan Curry’s letter regarding the Sunny Acres Nursing Home employee retention credit, distributed the 2024 Menard County Yearbook, and inquired about the continued need for the Chautauqua Sanitary Board.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings discussed the following: new rates for Countryside would be on next agenda, Sunny Acres Nursing Home and Countryside Estates capital wish list, staffing at Sunny Acres Nursing Home is improving, and used furniture available for purchase for Sunny Acres Nursing Home.

Commissioner Brauer reported that the census at Sunny Acres Nursing Home is at 75 and advised that there are four vacancies at Countryside.

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