Menard County Board of Commissioners met July 8

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

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Aug 3, 2025

Menard County Board of Commissioners met July 8

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Menard County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM 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 Clerk Marty Gum, County Coordinator Dara Worthington, and County Treasurer Molly Bettis were also present. Chairperson Lott called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Brauer moved to approve the Consent Agenda which consisted of the Regular Board Minutes and Executive Session Minutes from the June 26, 2025 meeting. Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled/Unscheduled Guests

Public Building Study Group members Steve Ozella and Dan Ortgessen were present at the meeting to view a sample replacement window proposed for the Menard County Courthouse through Johnco Construction Company. Scott Saunders, Project Manager for Johnco, was present to answer questions about the proposed windows.

County EMS/EMA Chief’s Report/Request for Board Action

Chief Kolbe Huss was in attendance with information on a software package that would allow Menard County EMS to take on in-house billing for the ambulance service by the end of the year. Chief Huss shared costs, savings, and plans for the transition, and answered questions posed by the commissioners. After discussion, Commissioner Whitcomb made a motion to approve the billing software by Image Trend and Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

County Engineer’s Report/Request for Board Action

Engineer Dowd was in attendance and provided updates on his department’s activities.

County Sheriff’s Report/Request for Board Action

Sheriff Mark Oller was in attendance and reported that the current jail census stood at eleven inmates with eight males and three females. Sheriff Oller reviewed plans for the Menard County Fair coverage.

County Treasurer’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Treasurer Bettis was in attendance and gave a brief overview of her office activities. Bettis reported that property tax collection was going well, there was no progress on the audit, and budget preparation would be starting. It was noted that a number of residents from Tallula were reporting that they had not yet received their property tax bills.

County Clerk’s Report/Request for Board Action

County Clerk Marty Gum was in attendance. Gum requested approval of two liquor licenses – Wankel’s for an event on July 27 and Knotty Pine Bar & Grill for an event on October 14. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve the licenses and Commissioner Cummings seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Gum communicated that filing for the upcoming primary would be open soon.

County Coordinator’s Report/Requests for Board Action

Coordinator Dara Worthington was in attendance. Worthington presented the August bill for Sangamon County Department of Public Health for payment. Commissioner Brauer made a motion to approve payment and Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously.

Worthington provided an update on the Menard County Farm lease expiration, remodeling of the annex, courthouse, and Sunny Acres Nursing Home, and EMS Union bargaining.

Individual Board Members - Report/Requests for Board Action

Commissioner Whitley inquired about an abandoned truck in Oakford. Sheriff Oller will follow up on the inquiry.