Sangamon Sun

Menard County Board of Commissioners met May 30

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois.

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

Chairperson Bob Lott called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Regular Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from May 14, 2024, as well as the Special Meeting Minutes from May 23, 2024. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Joe Crowe – Menard County Zoning Officer

Zoning Officer Crowe and Zoning Administrator Gwen Thomas were in attendance and presented the Board with an update on the department’s current projects. Crowe advised that so far in 2024 the County has issued 73 permits. There were a total of 75 in 2023.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Governmental Serviced Entities – Tabled.

County Highway Engineer Dowd presented the Board with an update on his department’s current projects.

Kolbe Huss – EMS/EMA Chief

EMS/EMA Chief Huss was in attendance and presented the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for the Route 123 Bridge Stream Guage Project. Discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the Board that Kolbe should let the City of Petersburg apply for the grant as this should be an expense of the City of Petersburg rather than the County. The City of Petersburg should have a Flood Plain Manager in order to have National Flood Insurance. Loss of such a mitigation device could jeopardize the City’s continued eligibility for that national insurance coverage. That Flood Plain Manager should be the  one to apply for the grant funds for the gauge project. Huss also advised that the remount has been completed.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and updated the Board on the current jail census at a total of six inmates. The Sheriff also reported that the department is fully staffed and that Luke Standley will be the School Resource Officer beginning next school year.

Sheriff Oller and his secretary, Ann Gorman, also presented the Board with charts showing the revenue streams for the department.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and introduced her new full-time employee, Hannah Davis. The Treasurer discussed such items as: county financials, mobile home taxes are due June 9, 2024, and the fact that she will be beginning her portion of the tax process.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and presented a liquor license application for Just the Basics for review and approval. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the application. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and advised that his office has been very busy with court and various cases.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and presented the Health Department bills for payment approval. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the request.

Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from October 31, 2023, remain closed. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the request. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: 2024 Senior Transportation compliance review was conducted with the results of no findings; UCCI Meeting handout; Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreements are in process; $40,000.00 in ARPA Funds were paid to Custom Structures; Joe Petty is to provide a report on plans for the courthouse; Lilac Room Rates to be cleaned up at the June 11, 2024 meeting; the fob system should begin June 17, 2024; an update on the grant application for body cams and in dash cameras.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings advised the Board that there are three vacancies at Countryside Estates and there will be an Open House there on July 13, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Commissioner Lott discussed with the Board that there are approximately 11 countyowned buildings and the possible need for a full-time employee to maintain all of the buildings at a cost to taxpayers.

Executive Session

Commissioner Brauer moved to go into Executive Session, for the purpose of potential litigation at 10:36 a.m. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

With no other business coming before the Board, Commissioner Brauer moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:17 a.m. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/6117/1819/8525/05_30_24_Board_Minutes.pdf