Menard County Board of Commissioners met April 9

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

May 4, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met April 9

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois.

Commissioners Bob Lott, Troy Cummings, Jeff Fore, and Rich Brauer were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, Treasurer Molly Bettis, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, Chief Deputy Sheriff Ben Hollis, and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present. Commissioner Ed Whitcomb was absent.

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

Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the Regular Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from March 28, 2024. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously.

County Zoning Report/Requests for Board Action

Zoning Administrator Thomas was in attendance and presented the Board with an update on the department’s current projects. Thomas advised that Indian Creek Farmstead withdrew their previous application and filed an application for a text amendment. She also provided an update with regard to the Verizon Tower that is being placed on Gudgel Avenue. Lastly, Administrator Thomas provided an update with regard to the ChangeFinder project.

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.

Dowd also discussed possible bids for a new tandem truck. It was the consensus of the Board that Dowd should move forward with the bid.

EMS/EMA Chief Report/Requests for Board Action

EMS/EMA Chief Huss was in attendance and requested the Boards approval of installation of lights on the new EMS vehicle. Commissioner Fore moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Huss discussed the request for approval of a CISA Contract with regard to cyber security. Commission Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Chief Huss presented the Board with the end of month financials for EMS. He also advised the Board that the State of Illinois is cutting funds for the stream gauge at the 123 bridge just east of town, therefore Huss will be in contact with the City of Petersburg for potential funding the continuation of that service.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Chief Deputy Sheriff Hollis was in attendance and updated the Board on the current jail census at a total of six inmates. He also advised that the concrete work at the jail has been completed and the link to Central Square for the public to view inmate information has launched.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and discussed such items as: wrapping up the audit; investing more CD’s; Anita Wankel is working part-time until she hires a full time employee; posting the job vacancy in the local paper as well as on the website; receipt of grant funds from the State of Illinois grant for the Courtroom technology updates.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that the cost of the 2024 Primary Election was approximately $14.73 per voter based upon the total number of voters.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and advised that he has a meeting regarding the Safe-T Act and advised that in the future, it may be mandated that there be a full-time Public Defender in each County.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and reported the following:

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from September 10, 2019, October 8, 2019, March 14, 2023, March 28, 20123 and September 12, 2023, remain closed and Executive Session Minutes from August 30, 2022 be opened.

Commissioner Fore moved to approve the request. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: staffing violation at Sunny Acres Nursing Home with no fine; ICRMT payment due of $76,587.00; completed documentation from the Village of Tallula with regard to ARPA Funds; Resolution with regard to salaries for Circuit Clerk, Supervisor of Assessments and Treasurer needs to be completed no later than May 30, 2024; the wastewater manager contract expires November 1; courthouse improvements; DCEO report not filed due to making additions; no changes to the HRA report; Steve and Nick Ozella viewed the board room for future remodel; room rates at Sunny Acres Nursing Home and Louis Midiri requested the March 12, 2024 minutes be revised.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings discussed the salary for all elected officials except the State’s Attorney and Sheriff. The Board would like to see all salaries at the same rate.

Discussion ensued. It was decided that the Board wanted to hear from Commissioner Whitcomb before any decisions were made. Stipends for elected officials were also discussed. There was discussion about changing Joe Crowe, the Menard County Zoning Officer, to a full-time position and keeping the support for that office in place.

Cummings also advised that brokers have been in contact with him to determine the value of Sunny Acres Nursing Home in order to see if the facility would be marketable.

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