Sangamon Sun

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 11

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Ed Whitcomb, Dalton Whitley, Troy Cummings, and Rich Brauer were present. A quorum was present. County Coordinator Dara Worthington, County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum, County Treasurer Molly Bettis, Chief Deputy Ben Hollis, and States Attorney Gwen Thomas were also present. Chairman Robert Lott was absent.

Commissioner Ed Whitcomb, as Interim Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the Consent Agenda which included both the Regular Board Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from the January 30, 2025, meeting. 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 updated the Board on current projects within his department. Dowd noted that the Motor Fuel Tax letting is scheduled for February 19, 2025.

County Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Chief Deputy Sheriff Ben Hollis was in attendance and stated the current jail census was at six total inmates. Hollis updated the board about the Pre-Bid meeting regarding the courthouse truss repair project. Discussion ensued. Other updates included: phone service for the county, new email addresses, delivery of the new squad car, and the courthouse annex and office locations.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Treasurer Molly Bettis was in attendance and provided an update on her department’s activities.

Commissioner Cummings posed questions regarding certain funds and discussion ensued. 

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum was in attendance and provided an update on her office activities. Included in her presentation was information on the upcoming March election.

States Attorney Report/Request for Board Action

States Attorney Gwen Thomas was in attendance. Thomas provided an update on her transition to being the new Menard County State’s Attorney. Thomas relayed plans she has for the office.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance and updated the board on payment of the ICRMT bill.

The March 2025 payment to Sangamon County Department of Public Health for the delivery of Public Health services was presented for payment. Commissioner Brauer motioned to approve the payment while Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington reported that the Menard County Health Department is now staffed by Olivia Harris, RN and open Monday through Friday. Harris is accepting WIC appointments and also networking within the community to make them aware of the local health services available to the residents within the county.

An update was made on the operating/billing accounts for the Farm Bureau being transitioned, FY 22 GATA reporting, Comcast’s request for a letter of support, and the proposed boardroom table.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Brauer reported that he had attended a Board of Health meeting. Other Scheduled Topics

Resolution: 04-25: Appointment of Jason Huffman to ETSB to Fulfill a Term Expiring Dec 1, 2025. Commissioner Cummings motioned to approve the appointment.

Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion and Approval of setting COLA for County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Supervisor of Assessments Salaries.

Upon discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Cummings and seconded by Commissioner Brauer to set the salary of the County Clerk and Circuit Clerk, excluding  the salary of the Supervisor of Assessments at this time, at $75,026.00 to match the salary of the Treasurer with this action being retroactive to December 1, 2024. The motion carried unanimously. It was noted that there is a need for each applicable ordinance to be amended to reflect this approved revision along with the agreed upon annual COLA increases at the next meeting. The COLA for the Supervisor of Assessments will also be discussed at the following meeting to address the impact of those officials receiving set State of Illinois stipends and those officials receiving performance-based stipends from the State of Illinois.

Approval of Sunny Acres Nursing Home/Countryside Estates Revised Employment Handbook. Commissioner Cummings made a motion to approve the handbook.

Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Executive Session

Commissioner Cummings made a motion to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of potential litigation at 7:14 p.m. Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

With no other business coming before the Board, Commissioner Brauer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/5317/4068/1326/02_11_2025_Board_Minutes.pdf