Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 14

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Feb 15, 2025

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 14

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois.

Commissioners Bob Lott, Dalton Whitley, Ed Whitcomb, and Rich Brauer were present.

A quorum was present. County Coordinator Dara Worthington, County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, County Treasurer Molly Bettis, Sheriff Mark Oller and States Attorney Gabe Grosboll were also present. Commissioner Troy Cummings was absent.

Chairperson Bob Lott called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes from the December 10, 2024, meeting along with the Monthly Department Expense Report for November 2024. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

There were none.

County Highway Report/Requests for Board Action

Highway Engineer, Corey Dowd, was in attendance and presented the board with the Construction Engineering Contract with Bacon, Farmer and Workman Engineering 18-00068-00-BT (Sangamon Valley Trail). Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the request. Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried with two “ayes”, one “nay” from Commissioner Whitcomb, and one absent. The motion carried.

Engineer Dowd updated the Board on current projects within the County including the machinery sale that will be held on January 22, 2025.

County Zoning Administrator Report/Requests For Board Action

Zoning Administrator, Gwen Thomas, was in attendance and updated the board on a proposal submitted by American Towers. Discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the Board that the issue be tabled to a later date.

County 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 male inmates.

Sheriff Oller presented the finalized Fraternal Order of Police Contract for 12/01/2024-11/30/2028. Commissioner Brauer motioned to approve the contract. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff Oller discussed the future plans for the courthouse annex as it relates to location of offices, construction, revision of the DCEO grant, and oversight. Commissioner Brauer suggested that a study group be put together so that plans can get moving. It

was the consensus of the Board that a study group be put together for the work on the Annex building.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Treasurer Molly Bettis was in attendance and updated the board on current interest rates. Discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the Board that Treasurer Bettis set up a new account for interest to be deposited into. Bettis also updated the board that EOY FY24 is finished, and those reports had been distributed to office heads.

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum was in attendance and advised the Board that the FY24 County taxes have been finalized with W-2’s being mailed directly to the employees this year. Gum informed the board that GBS will deliver the new election equipment next week and take the old equipment. Gum also updated the board that on January 29TH that the new “MyDec” training for property tax work will be taking place at the EMS building.

States Attorney Report/Request for Board Action

State’s Attorney Gabe Grosboll was in attendance and updated the board on the proposed VAC by-laws which have been sent out to the pertinent individuals for comment. Grosboll advised the Board that his last day as Menard County State’s Attorney will January 31, 2025, as he was appointed as the “At Large Judge” for the Eighth Judicial Circuit with his home base being Virgina, Illinois. He indicated he will be sworn in at 2 p.m. on January 31st.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance and advised the board that the Sangamon County Department of Public Heath’s February 2025 payment is up for approval. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the request. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Dara also brought up the ICRMT’s first of six installments has been paid. Executive Session minutes from July 9, 2024, were recommended to be opened. A motion was made by Commissioner Brauer to open those minutes with Commissioner Whitcomb seconding the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington reported that the following grants will be coming to the county during the current fiscal year as follows:

Highway – HSIP - $2,547875; Highway – ITEP @ $1,620,000; County Clerk – Voter Registration - $10,530.85; Courts – Disability Accessibility - $3,000.00.

Worthington informed the board that the FY22 Audit was completed by Clifton Larson Allen, and has been uploaded to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. A brief overview was provided on FY22 GATA. The FY23 Audit has begun.

The architect requested direction on how to proceed with the different proposed county projects. It was the consensus of the board to move forward with all the projects but starting with the dome and then moving down the list.

An update was provided on IDPH complaints, the new phone system, electronics recycling proposed for April 5, Windows 10 vs. 11 and updates needed in software or hardware, the upcoming workers’ compensation audit for FY24, and the new signage for Sunny Acres Nursing Home. It was the consensus of the board to move forward with the proposed electronics recycling and new computers from Contingencies only as needed.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Whitley asked about the speed zone change on Newmansville Avenue to Stier Addition. County Engineer Dowd reported that a change for westbound traffic was made after discovering that the speed limits were posted different from either direction with an IDOT speed study being completed for east-bound traffic previously. The speed limit sign was then changed to make both eastbound and westbound traffic speeds coincide.

Commissioner Whitcomb informed everyone that brush cutting will resume on the county farm.

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