Menard County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 29

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Sep 26, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 29

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.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, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, Treasurer Molly Bettis, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. Commissioner Ed Whitcomb and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were absent.

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

Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Regular Minutes from August 13, 2024, as well as the July 2024 Department Expense Reports. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Kolbe Huss – EMS/EMA Chief

EMS/EMA Chief Kolbe Huss was in attendance and asked the Board to approve an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with Menard County EMS Local 4622 for full-time starting salary of EMT-B for FY24 from $13.67 per hour to $14.00 per hour and for FY25 from $13.94 per hour to $15.00 per hour. Huss advised that this will affect one employee, which would result in paying out $584.12 in back pay.

Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the amendment. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Chief Huss advised the Board that Andy Coulter started with Menard County EMS as of August 29, 2024 and that there is still one position open. He also advised that 3D11 has passed State inspection and has been placed in service.

Joe Crowe – Menard County Zoning Officer

Zoning Officer Crowe was in attendance and presented the Board with an update on the department’s current projects. Crowe advised the Board that as of today’s date there have been 122 permits issued, five site inspections and three enforcements. He is still working on Changefinder follow-ups. Crowe also advised that the Ordinance Committee is working on the 18 chapters of the new draft zoning ordinance with seven already written and ready for review. He advised that the ordinance will probably not be ready until the first of the year (2025).

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Highway Engineer Dowd was in attendance and presented the Board with a Construction Contract for Section 22-02114-00-BR (Engel Avenue Bridge).

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

Engineer Dowd presented the Board with an Intergovernmental Agreement Addendum with PORTA C.U.S.D. #202. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Agreement Addendum. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

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

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 four inmates.

Sheriff Oller and his Administrative Assistant Ann Gorman then advised the Board that the cost for paper service by the Sheriff’s Department needs to be increased due to the amount of time and work that is put into each service. They provided the Board with a study of other County’s fees for such services. Discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the Board that the Sheriff’s Office proceed with determining a sufficient fee for such services.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis advised that the first property tax distribution was sent out on August 16, 2024, and consisted of approximately 95% of what was collected in tax dollars. She also advised that the budget worksheets were being prepared and should be to each department by September 3, 2024. Treasurer Bettis also advised the Board that there would be a presentation regarding offering on-line payment for services on September 5, 2024. Any department interested in learning more about the system is invited to participate. The second installment of real estate taxes is due September 6, 2024. She also advised that the CD’s invested receive a decent interest rate. Ann Gorman, Administrative Assistant for Sheriff Oller, complimented Treasurer Bettis on her work with their department.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that early voting starts on September 26, 2024. She also advised that signatures are being acquired for those running in the April 2025 Consolidated Election.

Supervisor of Assessments

County Assessor Kelton was in attendance and advised the Board that the Board of Review testing would be taking place in the Board Room on September 26, 2024 and that there will be a training regarding Sale in Errors offered on September 11, 2024.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and presented the Sangamon County Department of Public Health bill for September 2024 for payment approval.

Commissioner Fore moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Worthington also advised that there is a new draft agreement which the State’s Attorney should be reviewing and will be placed on the September Agenda for the Board to review and then it will move on to the Board of Health, Sangamon County Board of Health and the Sangamon County Board.

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from February 13, 2024 remain closed. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the request. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: Regional Office of Education final payment; A-1 Lock and new locks for interior doors in the Courthouse; Board room remodel; Audit; Building Improvement Specialist Randy Kinney; Wastewater Manager; Snedeker Fall Conference; Appraisal on two parcels behind Menard Medical Center; FY25 Budget preparation; Budget meeting schedule; Budget Books; carpet for the State’s Attorney’s office; and tuck pointing to be done on the West side of the building.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer advised the Board that John Balster, 911 Coordinator, wanted the Board to know of his appreciation of Treasurer Molly Bettis. He also advised that the Sunny Acres Nursing Home is in need of a maintenance worker.

Commissioner Cummings advised that there are two vacancies at Countryside Estates and advised that there is to be a rate study done regarding the rates at Countryside Estates. Cummings also advised that bids are going to be required for a new IT network.

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