Sangamon Sun

Hancock County Finance, Fees and Salaries Committee met Aug. 14

Here are the minutes provided the committee:

The meeting was called to order by committee chair Wayne Bollin at 8:59 a.m. Members in attendance included Harry Douglas, Dennis Castlebury, Mark Menn, Alex Blythe, Joe Boyles, Lee Ann Lambert, and Steve Lucie. Visitors included Ashlyn Housewright, Kendall Beals, Kris Pilkington, Travis Duffy, Holly Wilde-Tillman, Keara Weber, and Michael McVey.

Ms. Housewright from Hancock County Economic Development spoke about using their money towards developing homes and rental properties in Hancock County. This is at the beginning phase. It is unknown how much each applicant will receive, depending on how many applicants there are. It was thought maybe municipalities could use TIF money towards this also. Ms. Bell is trying to come up with creative ways to get the word out about this. When applications are filled out they will be asked what their intention for the property. Economic Development would like somebody from the board to be on the committee. Mr. Blythe made a motion to approve $20,000 to be used for the Hancock County Housing Grant Program. Mr. Lucie seconded. A roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion carried.

Mr. Beals discussed his storage claims. He educated the committee on the processes of the coroner.

Ms. Weber handed out her circuit clerk report. They are getting ready to send more things to collections. Hopefully they will see an uptake in funds. She had excess funds from the grant for the generator and was able to get E-citation for 6 years. She also received a grant for the Lawyer in the Library program.  

Mr. McVey stated that the GIS project is 95% done. The assessor’s 2 big projects are nearing completion. The mass appraisal project is where he thinks it should be in the timeline. Mr. Lucie asked if the assessor’s office was considering taxing portable sheds. The State of Illinois Tax Board has ruled that they are taxable. The Hancock County Board of Review has voted to tax any building over 180 square feet that is portable.

Ms. Pilkington went over some line items that are over budget. A second distribution will be sent out in September. She stated she will retire at the end of her term.

Sheriff Duffy was asked to bring in his receipts for his credit card. The auditor is requesting these and he was asked to have them submitted in the next 5-10 days. Mr. Bollin informed him that it is in the resolution that all credit cards need to be turned in to the county clerk’s office to be paid. He states he uses a Fortress debit card to buy groceries, then they submit that claim and pay the commissary bill. He asked Ms. Wilde-Tillman if she is receiving a lot of FOIA requests.  His office has been inundated with requests for body cam footage. This takes time to redact names, faces, etc.  Discussion was had on changes in positions, employee’s strengths, and efficiency of the office. He is losing 2 deputies at the end of the year.  Both are K-9 units. Zaire will be retiring. Cato will then be Milo Koechle’s partner. Sheriff Duffy did receive a reimbursement from the state for training.

Motion to appoint Tom Dale as the solar building permit inspector was made by Mr. Blythe. He will receive $3000 for each project and then $500 for each inspection for 5 years and then the inspection may be able to be pushed out to 3 years. Mr. Castlebury seconded the motion. All members present voted aye.

Resolution establishing a salary for the circuit clerk was made by Mr. Castlebury, seconded by Mr. Boyles. A roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion carried.

Motion to request all credit card bills with receipts from the sheriff’s office for the auditor within 10 days was made by Mr. Douglas. Mr. Boyles seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion carried.

Ms. Wilde-Tillman asked if we were interested in being part of the Illinois State Historical Society. They are honoring counties that are 200 years old.

She has a coop student who started on the 4th. She will be working 3 hours a day starting August 20. If anybody is interested in taking out papers to run for county board the paperwork is downstairs in the election office.

Justin Greeley with Bellwether will give a preliminary budget by August 19. In September there will be a budget day to meet with the office holders.  

Claims were gone over. Motion to approve the claims was made by Mr. Douglas, Ms. Lambert seconded. A roll call vote was taken with all members present voting “yes”. Motion carried.

Aaron Feagain is having health issues and will be out for 60-90 days. Elected officials get paid no matter if they are at work or not. How does it work for unelected officials? He has been moved to ACP insurance. He will be working from home. He has filled in shifts for the ambulance, and has not given himself an increase in salary on the budget.

Motion to recess until September 11 at 9:00 a.m. was made by Ms. Lambert. Mr. Castlebury seconded the motion. All members present voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.

https://hancockcounty-il.gov/finance-minutes-aug-2025/