Menard County Board of Commissioners met May 14

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jun 8, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met May 14

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, May 14, 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, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. Commissioner Jeff Fore and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were absent.

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

Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Regular Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from April 25, 2024. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously.

Terry O’Brien, DVM – Menard County Animal Control Administrator

Administrator O’Brien was present with a recommendation for an increase to the cities’ contributions to Animal Control through a new intergovernmental agreement. It was the consensus of the Board that the County move forward with O’Brien’s recommendation of a 5% increase. O’Brien also advised that the Animal Control van needs new tires and bearings.

Kolbe Huss – EMS/EMA Chief

EMS/EMA Chief Huss was in attendance and presented the financial report. Huss discussed an option for a mobile app for the residents of the County. The Board asked that Huss do more research with other Counties that may use it and come back with more information. The Chief also answered questions about a proposal for new doors for the office building and fob system. It was the consensus of the board that the Public Building Study Group will oversee the project with an economical solution. The commissioners indicated that the Huss also informed the Board that the 3-D-11 remount will be here Friday and he would like to possibly get rid of 3-D-10 or trade it in on the remount. It was the consensus of the Board that Huss discuss the possibility of a trade in with the vendor.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

In the County Engineer’s absence, Coordinator Worthington provided the Board with an update on the Highway Departments current projects.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Oller was in attendance reporting the current jail census at a total of seven inmates. He also advised that the grant for the body cameras and in car cameras has been applied for. A suggestion was made by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board that each unit of government pay for all of the cameras in full in order to optimize the chance for full reimbursement through the grant. Sheriff Oller indicated that their department has planned to spread the payments out over five years that that it would not be such a large burden to his department and the county. The Sheriff is waiting on an opinion from the legal department of the grantor before moving forward.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and discussed such items as: new hire of a full-time employee, all 92 mobile home tax bills have been sent out and 25 have already been paid, and almost all CD’s have been invested. Bettis advised that she will be attending the IACO conference on Thursday.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and provided the Board with an update on the extension process and advised that she will be attending the IACO conference on Thursday.

Clerk Gum presented an application for display of fireworks for New Salem Property Owner’s Association for review and approval. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the application. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and discussed items such as: payment to ICRMT, no updates from Joe Perry, John Ridley, Administrator for the Menard County Health Department will attend the Board Meeting on May 30, 2024, Steve Ozella will be speaking with Doug Flanders regarding working on the board room, overtime threshold information, Sunny Acres Nursing Home van decals, the process for payment of the health insurance monthly premium, and the FY22 audit update.

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from May 28, 2019 and November 29, 2022 remain closed. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer advised the Board of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Jaycee Park scheduled for June 2, 2024.

Commissioner Cummings advised that the census at Sunny Acres Nursing Home was at 80 residents and advised that there are three empty apartments at Countryside Estates. He also mentioned the request from the nursing home for re-lamping at Sunny Acres.

Chairman Lott discussed work that needs to be done at Sunny Acres Nursing Home as requested by the Vice President of Facilities for Heritage Operations Group.

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