Moultrie County Board met Jan. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in the County Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chairman Travis Phelps called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The opening prayer was given by board member Aaron Wilhelm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by all in attendance.
Roll Call was taken, with the following members present Travis Phelps, Aaron Wilhelm, Josh Roe, Ralph Zancha, Lisa Florey, Joe Wallis and Arlon Long. Tyler Graven and Kenny Graven were absent. A quorum was present.
There were 9 people in attendance, plus seven board members, and County Clerk Qualls.
Mission Statement – Read by Travis Phelps.
Correspondence: None.
Minutes: Phelps moved to approve the December 11, 2025, county board minutes. The motion was seconded by Florey. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
Guest Speakers: Phelps introduced Rachel Stinger of Moultrie-Douglas 4-h to share program updates. Ms. Stinger gave a hand out to each board member. Ms. Stinger shared that the 4-H has doubled their enrollment over the past two years with 135 members. Ms. Stinger then shared some information about each of the clubs the 4-H provides to the members. They started with 10 clubs and with the growing numbers, they are now up to 20 clubs.
Ms. Stinger mentioned she met State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver this evening. One of the things 4-H did in December was to present a mock trial and Courthouse tour in Douglas County. She will be working with Tracy to do the same in Moultrie County.
Unfinished Business: None
Appointments by Chair: Phelps moved to appoint the following as Drainage Commissioners for the following Drainage Districts all to expire on the first Tuesday of September 2028:
DENNIS SMITH Asa Creek Drainage District, Sullivan Township
LEVI YODER Drainage District #3, Lovington
ED REEDY Drainage District #6, Lovington
TONY BROWN Hostetler Drainage District, Lovington Township
JORDAN WATKINS Jonathan Creek Drainage District #4, Jonathon Creek Twp
DAVID BOWERS Lovington Sections 22, 23, 26, 27, & 34 Drainage District, Lovington
KURT ROBSON Lowe Drainage District #2, Lowe Township
GARY SENTEL Lowe Drainage District #4, Lowe Township
STEPHEN DAVIS Lowe Drainage District #5, Lowe Township
OBEY GINGERICH Lowe Drainage District #7, Lowe Township
RICHARD L. BEACHY Lowe Special Drainage District, Lowe Township
MARK KUHNS Sullivan Drainage District #2, Sullivan
DENNIS SMITH Union #1 by User Drainage District, Lovington and Dora Townships
TIM SINGER Union Drainage District #1, Sullivan, Jonathan Creek, Lowe and Lovington Townships
KENT W. SPENCER Whitley Drainage District #1, Whitley Township
The motion was seconded by Long. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
NEW BUSINESS
STANDING COMMITTEES
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Roe)
Meeting: January 12, 2026
Roe moved to approve the Treasurer’s reports for December 2025. The motion was seconded by Wilhelm. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
Roe read the motion to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Zancha. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
Roe moved to approve the six-month reports from the County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, and the Sheriff’s Office for the period June 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025. The motion was seconded by Florey. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
Roe asked as many board members as possible be at the upcoming budget & finance meetings for the next couple of months. We do have some important salary discussions coming up. Phelps mentioned this is for elected positions so we are on time because they have to be done 180 days before the general election; by May 3.
BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: T. Graven)
Meeting: January 7, 2026
With T. Graven absent, Phelps mentioned they did have a meeting. Phelps signed the contract for the new water heaters for the jail on January 14, 2026. The project should be done by March 1. There are still discussions being held regarding the new building out by the jail.
ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: K. Graven) Meeting: January 8, 2026
With K. Graven absent, Phelps stated they did have a meeting but have no motions.
Graven informed the board that one of the highway technicians will be retiring at the end of the year, so they have opened the application process to hire a new technician.
PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: K. Graven) Meeting: January 2, 2026
Phelps moved to approve the Rezone request from AG to C-2 by Matthew Ten8 (c/o John Vander Burgh) for PIN 04-04-15-000-311, Rt. 121, Bethany, for commercial storage units. The motion was seconded by Long. The request did pass the zoning committee three to one. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE (Chair: Phelps)
Meeting: No meeting held.
Phelps stated they did not have a meeting but they do have a motion. Phelps moved to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Use of the McLean County Morgue Facilities. The motion was seconded by Roe. Phelps introduced Lynn Reed to give information about the agreement. Reed explained they have been using the morgue for some time; it is unknown what, if anything, occurred that the agreement all of a sudden came to all coroners that use the McLean County facility. When this was received, Mr. Reed gave it to State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver to review; it was also reviewed by insurance agent Danielle Finn of Loman Ray Insurance. Mr. Reed shared that within the agreement it says 100 % of the liability for anything that may happen, McLean County takes no responsibility for anything at all. It will all fall to the individual county. After giving the board some information and an example of a mistake that has happened in the past, State’s Attorney Weaver share that her main concern is the shifting of liability from McLean County to Moultrie County should something occur. SA Weaver sent it to Danielle at Loman Ray to review to see what impact that would have on our insurance.
Danielle stated the black and white answer is insurance follows contracts. Meaning should a claim occur, yes you would be covered. The problem is the reaction after the claim; what would happen to your insurance, would the cost go up. Danielle discussed this with the risk manager at ICRMT, they stated there would be coverage, but it is a one sided agreement and suggest Moultrie County not sign. Suggests the agreement state “at-fault party” before signing.
After some discussion between the board, Mr. Reed, and Danielle, Roe moved to table the motion. The motion to table was seconded by Wilhelm. There being no further discussion, roll call vote was taken, the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.
PERSONNEL (Chair: Wilhelm)
Meeting: No meeting
Wilhelm stated they did not meet and have no motions.
AS NEEDED COMMITTEES
LEGISLATIVE (Chair: T. Graven)
Meeting: No meeting.
Phelps stated they did not meet.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2
None.
COMMENTS
BOARD
None.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
None.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
None.
PUBLIC
No comments.
ADJOURN:
Phelps asked for a motion to adjourn. Wilhelm so moved with Roe seconding the motion. Via voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
https://cms9files.revize.com/moultrie//1.15.26%20-%20Co%20Brd%20Minutes.pdf?t=202602171118120&t=202602171118120
