Sangamon Sun

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Jeff Fore, Rich Brauer, and Troy Cummings were physically present. A quorum was present. County Clerk Marty Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, Assistant State’s Attorney Gwen Thomas, and Sheriff Mark Oller were also present. Treasurer Molly Bettis 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 Minutes from the November 12,2024 Board Meeting and the Special Meeting Minutes from the November 18, 2024 Meeting. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Zoning Report/Requests for Board Action

Zoning Officer, Joe Crowe, was in attendance and presented the Board with an updated permit count of 161 written permits and 151 issued permits. He gave an update on Gudgel and informed the Board that the Highway Engineer and Assistant State’s Attorney were working on getting it resolved. He also advised that he is closing out permits for the 2023 cycle. Crowe provided a reminder to the Board about the statewide boarding codes that will go into effect in 2025 and advised that he will be in attendance of the FEMA Conference on 12/03/2024. He is also working on finalizing the draft Zoning Ordinance to send to the Ordinance Committee before 12/31/2024.

Supervisor of Assessments, Dawn Kelton, thanked the Board for the zoning car. She informed the board that the car has helped to reassure taxpayers when they see a county vehicle instead of a personal vehicle.

Highway Department Report/Requests for Board Action

Highway Engineer, Corey Dowd, was in attendance, and updated the Board with the current projects happening within the Department. Corey informed the Board that he was contacted by Ameren about a new breakdown station across from Old Salem Chautauqua that would be a 15’ x 15’ area. Dowd informed the Board that the old highway building is completely gone. Dowed provided an update on the balance to the ARPA funds that were allotted to the Highway Department.

EMS/EMA Report/Requests for Board Action

Menard County EMS/EMA Chief, Kolbe Huss, was in attendance and provided the Board with the end of month reports and informed the Board that he received the Emergency Management Grant for $15,985.81. Kolbe asked for approval of purchasing  an enclosed trailer from Petersburg Rural Fire for $12,500.00 to be used as command post and for use by other County offices. Board approved the purchase of the enclosed trailer. Kolbe informed the board of 3 individuals that will be getting a salary increase that is built into their CBA. They are currently receiving probationary pay.

Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and briefed the Board on the current jail census at eight inmates. He discussed the FOP contract and indicated they will have another meeting with them on 12/04/2024. Per the Board, there will be no back pay issued if the contract isn’t signed and not into effect before the 12/13/2024 pay. Mark informed the Board that the Cass County Sheriff would like to come and talk to commissioners about how their County operates without the jail to see the difference between having one and not having one. The Board and Mark discussed the pros and cons of leaving the jail open vs. closing it.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Treasurer Molly Bettis was absent. Anita Wankel, employee of the Treasurer, brought the monthly financial reports to the Board for review.

County Clerk’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Clerk Gum was in attendance and informed the Board that the filing has ended for April Consolidated Election. Marty informed the Board that the Secretary of State will be present in 2025 on 05/07/2025 and 09/03/2025 and that her office has been asked to schedule appointments for residents wishing to receive services on each date.

State’s Attorney Report/Requests for Board Action

Assistant States Attorney Gwen Thomas was present and informed the Board about the intended purchase of real estate. Thomas reported that she had contacted the title company to start the title search. The Farm Bureau’s attorney will start preparing the real estate contract and it will be ready the first week of December. Thomas hopes to pass this at the December 10,2024 Board Meeting and close on the property in January.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance and requested that the Executive Session Board minutes from the 10/31/2023 meeting remain closed.

Commissioner Fore made a motion to approve keeping the board minutes closed.

Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington requested that the Sangamon County Department of Public Health’s voucher be prepared after December 1,2024 totaling $6,648.00. Commissioner Fore made a motion to approve the voucher. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously. 

County Coordinator Dara Worthington discussed items such as: exterior work on the courthouse will be put on hold until spring; courthouse dome work; Public Study Group meeting on 12/04/2024; work on Countryside Estates; DCEO grant; Courthouse phones/phone service; VAC budget; new fund for Annex Building; table for board room; other board room updates; Petersburg Community Fire Protection District report of the Decennial Committee; FY26 Tax Levy; and Sunny Acres sign update.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Fore discussed that he had received a call from KONE repairman regarding the impact to the elevator phone when switching phone systems. The repairman indicated that the Countryside Elevator should pass the next inspection.

Commissioner Ed Whitcomb said that the Farm Bureau Extension office would like to remain at their current location within the Farm Bureau. Whitcomb reassured them that they will be allowed to remain in the building, but the exact office location is not yet known. Commissioner Whitcomb thanked Commissioner Jeff Fore for his service to the county.

Chairman Robert Lott also thanked Commissioner Fore for his service on the board and for becoming a friend as well.

Other Scheduled Topics

Ordinance 41-24: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adoption - December 1, 2024 - November 30,2025. Commissioner Troy Cummings made a motion to approve.

Commissioner Rich Brauer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A discussion was held regarding some salaries including the Chief Deputy’s and the Assessor’s, and the Treasurer’s. A discussion was held about freezing the Treasurer’s salary and not giving the 2% raise and the Treasurer’s salary will hold for two years, and

it will increase for FY 2026.

FY 2025 Employee Wages/Salaries Approval. Coordinator Worthington noted that the salary information provided to the board had been calculated and proofed but that errors made appear and worked out. Commissioner Troy Cummings made a motion to approve with the needed corrections noted. Commissioner Rich Brauer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 42-24 - Reappointment of Chris Henderson, Ron Cooley, and Dan Schirding to the 911 board. Commissioner Rich Brauer made a motion to approve.

Commissioner Jeff Fore seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Fraternal Order of Police was tabled.

Adjournment

With no other business coming before the Board, Commissioner Brauer moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 a.m. Commissioner Fore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/9617/3393/7586/11_26_24_Board_Minutes.pdf