Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 8

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Nov 7, 2024

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 8

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Highway Department, 15620 Chautauqua Road, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Troy Cummings, Ed Whitcomb, and Rich Brauer were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, Treasurer Molly Bettis, Sheriff Mark Oller, and State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present. Commissioner Jeff Fore was 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 September 26, 2024. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Kolbe Huss – EMS/EMA Chief

EMS/EMA Chief Huss was in attendance and provided the Board with the Financial Report. Chief Huss advised that he has hired a full-time employee to fill the last opening in his department. He wanted the Board to know that the Property Maintenance Specialist, Randy Kinney, had done an amazing job working at the EMS building. Chief Huss also advised the Board that he has found some badge locks on Amazon that he can install and will be ordering such for his building. He is also looking into updating the phone system for his department. Huss also confirmed with the Board that it is their decision that the front of EMS building be removed while retaining the covered porch. Chief Huss also updated the Board on the cybersecurity program for the county.

Highway Department’s Report/Request for Board Action

Highway Engineer Dowd presented the Board with a Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Section 21-00056-09-PV (Athens Blacktop, Segment F). Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Dowd presented the Board with an update on current projects within his department.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Oller was in attendance and updated the Board on the current jail census at a total of six inmates. Sheriff Oller also discussed with the Board the results from the cost study completed to increase the service fees for his department. After discussion from the Board, it was the consensus of the Board that the Sheriff’s department increase their service fees to $60.00.

Sheriff Oller presented the Board with Ordinance 38-24 Adoption of Menard County

Sheriff’s Department Paper Service Rates. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and advised the Board that her office is still working on the remainder of the collections, the second distributions to the tax districts have been sent, the delinquent notices for late tax payments are going out this week, and the tax sale is scheduled for November 8, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Bettis also reported that she had attended a two-day property tax class with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Treasurer Bettis also advised the Board that she is looking into a new budget software program that could benefit the County.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Clerk Gum was in attendance and presented the Board with Resolution 36A-24 Establishing Closing Days for Menard County Courthouse for 2025 – AMENDED. Commissioner Cummings moved to approve. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. This shall be known as Resolution 36A-24.

Clerk Gum also presented the Board with Resolution 37-24 Appointment of 2025 Menard County Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. This shall be known as Resolution 37-24.

Clerk Gum advised the Board that her office has been very busy with early voting for the upcoming November 5, 2024, General Election, that Vote by Mail ballots are coming in steadily, and that a letter was received from the Illinois Department of Revenue advising the names of the persons that passed the Board of Review examination – NONE. Clerk Gum reported that she had testified at the Sale in Error Hearing held on September 30, 2024 and that the decision was in favor of the County.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

State’s Attorney Grosboll was in attendance and advised the Board that Assistant State’s Attorney Gwen Thomas was attending a conference on technology in the courtroom and that on October 9, 2024, there will be a “tech day” in our Courtroom to verify that all technology required is working properly. Grosboll also advised that there is an ongoing child pornography case in Menard County and that a stalker in Menard County has been sent to the Department of Corrections.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Worthington was in attendance and requested that Executive Session

Minutes from October 8, 2019, September 10, 2019, March 14, 2023, September 12, 2023, and March 28, 2024, remain closed, and that March 28, 2023 Executive Session Minutes be opened. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the request.

Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Coordinator Worthington discussed items such as: the schedule for Special Budget Meetings, IDPH Staffing violation, revised Personnel Policies for 2025, DCEO Grant, Audit update, Christmas Party, health insurance Open Enrollment for county employees, problems with Microsoft, Sunny Acres Nursing Home dishwasher, Menard County Soil and Water request, and an update on Boardroom remodel.

Individual Board Members – Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings advised that Sunny Acres Nursing Home is requesting nine new lifts, wages for Registered Nurses and Cook positions, and the Capital Plan.

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