Menard County Board of Commissioners met April 24

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

May 24, 2025

Menard County Board of Commissioners met April 24

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the Menard County Courthouse, 102 South Seventh Street, Petersburg, Illinois. Commissioners Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Troy Cummings, Rich Brauer, and Dalton Whitley were present. A quorum was present. County Coordinator Dara Worthington, County Treasurer Molly Bettis, and States Attorney Gwen Thomas were also present. County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum was absent.

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

Commissioner Cummings moved to approve the Consent Agenda which consisted of the Regular Board Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from April 8, 2025, along with the March 2025 monthly department expense reports. Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

State’s Attorney Gwen Thomas introduced her new office employee Susan McDevitt.

Zoning Report/Requests for Board Action

Zoning Officer Joe Crowe was in attendance and updated the Board on current office activities. Crowe reported on the number of building permits that had been issued for the month and for the year. Crowe provided an overview of the upcoming possible appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

County Highway Report/Requests for Board Action

Highway Engineer Corey Dowd was in attendance and updated the Board on current projects within his department. Among his reports were updates on the Athens Blacktop projects, Sangamon Valley Trail, Engel Street bridge, search for grants for work on the Gudgel/Price Street issue, Rise Broadband requests, the loader, patch work, and applications for the open Highway Maintainer position.

EMS/EMA Report/Requests for Board Action

Kolbe Huss, EMS/EMA Chief, was in attendance and updated the Board on current projects within his departments. Huss reported on the number of ambulance calls to date, rewrapping of the new ambulance without cost to the county, the Letter of Appeal to Medicaid, and the status of the renovation to the billing office.

County Sheriff Report/Requests for Board Action

Sheriff Oller was in attendance and provided an update on his department’s activities.

That update included the current jail census, the plans for the house his department will be inheriting, and costs for boring lines to the new courthouse annex. County Coordinator Worthington provided information on the status of the DCEO request for a revision and electrical work needed at the courthouse annex.

Supervisor of Assessments/Requests for Board Action

Supervisor of Assessments Dawn Kelton was in attendance and provided an update on her department’s activities. Kelton reported that Menard County had received a 1.0 final multiplier and that a new Board of Review candidate had taken a practice test in preparation for possibly becoming a member of the Menard County Board of Review.

County Treasurer’s Report/Requests for Board Action

County Treasurer Molly Bettis was in attendance and provided an update on her department’s activities which included her preparation for the ARPA reporting and ongoing work with the audit process.

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Coordinator, in County Clerk Martha “Marty” Gum’s absence, provided an update on the County Clerk’s office activities which included working on closing out the 2025 Consolidated Election, working on new voter registrations, prepping for the 2026 General Primary, recording, and needed information for tax extensions to proceed.

The following items were presented to the commissioners for possible approval:

Fireworks Permit for the Lake Petersburg Association. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve the requested permit and Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Liquor License for Menard County Fair Association for the county fair which runs July 15 through July 20. Commissioner Whitcomb made a motion to approve the license and Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Liquor License for Riverbank Lodge for an event being held at the Homestead on May 17. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve the license and Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

States Attorney Report/Request for Board Action

States Attorney Gwen Thomas was in attendance and provided an update on her office activities. Thomas updated the commissioners on the potential for holding upcoming scheduled jury trials and commented positively on how well the different law enforcement agencies work together.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance. Worthington presented the May monthly payment request for public health services to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health for approval. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to make the payment and Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Executive Session minutes from 05/09/2023, 04/09/2024, 10/08/2024, 10/15/2024 and 10/22/2024 were presented to be opened while minutes from 11/08/2022 and 10/10/2023 were presented to remain closed. Commissioner Cummings made that motion and Commissioner Brauer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Architects Joe Petty’s report on the different building projects was provided to the commissioners. Additionally, the following information was shared with the commissioners: ARPA update, audit check-in and the need for actuarial reports, work to begin again on the exterior of the building, website platform search, and AgeLinc compliance review.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Cummings noted HB1352 regarding consolidation of Veterans’ Assistance Commissions had passed. There was discussion about the process for initiating a tax levy for support of such service. Cummings followed up with Sheriff Oller regarding a high schooler’s request for a gun safety class.

Chairperson Lott discussed projects for use of the ARPA funds.

Sangamon Sun