Menard County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 10

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Oct 12, 2024

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Highway Department, 15620 Chautauqua Road, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Troy Cummings, Jeff Fore, and Rich Brauer were physically present. A quorum was present. County Treasurer Molly Bettis, Sheriff Mark Oller, and County Coordinator Dara Worthington were also present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were 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 August 29, 2024. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

Greg Andrews, Post Service Officer, updated the commissioners on county veterans’ services. Mr. Andrews reported that he had received his accreditation as Veterans’ Service Officer through the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In addition, he provided a brief overview of the types of veterans’ services he had provided over the last six years to a total of 96 veterans. Mr. Andrews gave a explanation of the process to be followed to form a Veterans’ Assistance Commission and explained the local history of the endeavor. Service Officer Andrews requested support from Menard County for creating a local office and indicated that he was not asking for pay for the work he is doing. He also requested to have a picture with the commissioners and an article for the newspaper. Service Officer Andrews will keep in contact with the commissioners.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Highway Engineer Dowd was in attendance and presented an Addendum to Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Athens. Commissioner Fore made a motion to approve the Addendum and Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 34-24 – Anticipation of Township Bridge Funds for Section 22-02114-00-BR Commissioner Whitcomb made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Commissioner Fore seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Engineer Dowd then presented the Board with an update on his department’s current projects which included an upcoming joint meeting with the City of Petersburg and Menard County Trails and Greenways regarding the proposed walking path.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and presented the Board with a proposed new Paper Service Rates. Sheriff Oller reviewed the study conducted to arrive upon the proposed new rates. Commissioner Cummings made a motion to adopt the new rates as presented and Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Sheriff Oller reported the current jail census at a total of seven inmates.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis relayed that her office had been quite busy as a result of the second installment for tax bills being due on September 6. In addition, she provided a brief update on the status of the FY21 audit.

State’s Attorney’s Report/Requests for Board Action

In the absence of State’s Attorney Grosboll, Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas reported on office activities including possible jury trials in November and use of technology in the courtroom training.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and presented the Sangamon County Department of Public Health bill for October 2024 for payment approval. Commissioner Fore moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington requested that Executive Session Minutes from February 23, 2021, August 10, 2021, and August 29, 2024, remain closed. Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the request. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: A-1 Lock and new locks for interior doors in the Courthouse; Board room remodel; Building Improvement Specialist Randy Kinney; Snedeker Fall Conference; courthouse exterior work; Sunny Acres Nursing Home sign; Illinois Labor Relations Board notification; on-line payments presentation; IDPH complaint investigation with finding of no violations; and a grant application available for the renovation of the courtroom.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer requested an update on the status of a property that was to be demolished. Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas reported that a letter had been sent to the property owner and that the remaining debris along with noxious weeds had been removed.

Commissioner Whitcomb inquired about a property by in his district that had debris, junk, and noxious weeds. Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas reported that a letter had been mailed to the property owner the previous day.

Sangamon Sun