Menard County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 27

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 23, 2025

Menard County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 S. Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Dalton Whitley, and Troy Cummings 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 Gwen Thomas were also present. Commissioner Rich Brauer was absent.

Chairperson Lott called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Consent Agenda which included both the Regular Board Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from the February 11, 2025, meeting as well as the January 2025 Monthly Department Expense Reports.

Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

Unscheduled guests included Sunny Acres Advisory Board members Steve Territo and Angie Fletcher.

Executive Session

Commissioner Cummings made a motion to enter Executive Session at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of discussing potential litigation. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion.

Regular Session resumed at 9:56 a.m.

Supervisor of Assessments Report/Requests for Board Action

Dawn Kelton, Supervisor of Assessments was in attendance and addressed the commissioners regarding the Elected Officials Salaries Ordinances action items on the agenda with note of the fact that the Supervisor of Assessments’ salary was not being addressed within either ordinance. Discussion ensued relating to her salary and stipends versus bonus awards based upon meeting Illinois Department of Revenue parameters with county assessments. Chairperson Lott reported that the salary ordinances were being tabled.

Kelton reported that four appeals will be going before the Board of Review with two of those appeals being large.

Zoning Report/Requests for Board Action

Zoning Officer Joe Crowe was in attendance and reported office activities for the month which included information on the draft Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.

Crowe reported that there are currently openings on both the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission and that possibilities for addressing that include combining the two boards/committees or having a dedicated Hearing Officer.

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 requested consensus of the commissioners for approval for a Letter of Engagement with Sheryl Churney for the Pike Creek Wind Farm Transmission. It was the consensus of the entire board present to proceed with engaging the services of Churney.

Approval of Motor Fuel Tax Material Letting Awards. County Engineer Dowd presented information regarding the bids submitted for aggregates and oil. Commissioner

Whitcomb made a motion to approve the bids as reviewed by Dowd. Commissioner Whitley seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

EMS/EMA Chief’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Chief Huss was in attendance and updated the Board on departmental activities which included the hiring of a part-time billing clerk and an update on the delivery of the new ambulance.

County Sheriff’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and stated the current jail census was at seven total inmates. Oller provided a brief update on and plans for the property that was left to the county sheriff via an estate.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Treasurer Molly Bettis was in attendance and provided an update on her department’s activities. Bettis reported that Mobile home tax bills will be mailed soon with a due date of May 15 being estimated. FY25 budget books should be available for distribution next week.

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum was in attendance and provided an update on her office activities.

States Attorney Report/Request for Board Action

States Attorney Gwen Thomas was in attendance. Thomas provided an update on her activities.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance. Worthington requested that Executive Session minutes from February 13, 2024, remain closed. Commissioner Whitley made a motion for the minutes to remain closed and Commissioner Whitcomb seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington followed by updating the board on the following:

Farm Bureau building transitional planning, leases, and janitorial, the FY24 Workers’ Compensation audit, the architect’s report on the planned projects, the Cass Comm franchise fee, Vonage, requested New Salem resolution, and UCCI July meeting.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings reported that he has attended the recent Sunny Acres Advisory Board meeting where staffing needs were reported. It was also noted that there are vacancies at Countryside Estates although inquiries into the vacancies. An employee appreciation cookout will be held on March 14.

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