Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met Dec. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chairman Billy Voyles called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Opening prayer given by Board Member Aaron Wilhelm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by all in attendance.

Roll Call was taken, with the following Board members present Billy Voyles, Marsha Kirby, Tyler Graven, John Vander Burgh, Travis Phelps, Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, Kenny Graven, and Joshua Roe

There were 21 people in attendance which included nine board members and County Clerk Linda Qualls.

Mission Statement was read by Marsha Kirby.

Minutes: Mr. Tyler Graven moved to approve the November 17, 2022, regular County Board meeting minutes; seconded by Mr. Buxton. The motion passed by roll call vote (9 yes, 0 no).

Ms. Kirby moved to approve the December 1, 2022, Reorganizational Board Meeting minutes; seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. The motion passed by roll call vote (9 yes, 0 no).

Guest Speaker: None

Unfinished Business: None

Appointments by Chair: Chairman Voyles moved to appoint Travis Phelps to the Moultrie County Health Department Board term to begin immediately for a period of one year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tyler Graven, which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain) with Mr. Phelps abstaining.

NEW BUSINESS:

STANDING COMMITTEES

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Vander Burgh)

Meeting held December 12, 2022.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the November 2022 Treasurer's Report. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kirby which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no)

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Buxton. Discussion held. Question asked by Mr. Phelps concerning ARPA funds issued to the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce for the Andrews Group for development and investment in the Childcare Crisis Plan and who is holding the money and how it is to be distributed. With discussion held, it is understood the Chamber is holding the money and a board will be established to review and approve distribution of any funds. Mr. Voyles would like to see the Treasurer or a board member on that board to oversee how the monies are distributed. Mr. Wilhelm states he has been asked to be on the childcare crisis board and has accepted the invitation.

The motion to approve all claims as presented passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no)

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to adopt the previously presented FY 2023 Moultrie County Budget that has been on review for public inspection for greater than 15 days. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no)

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the Resolution for participation in the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Program. Mr. Wilhelm seconded the motion which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no)

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve a $5.00 increase in the Jury Commissioners' pay, from $35.00 to $40.00 per meeting. Mr. Roe seconded the motion which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no).

BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: Graven)

Meeting held December 7, 2022.

Mr. Tyler Graven stated the committee has no motions. But the roof has been completely checked off by the architect; that is all the update he has.

ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: Voyles)

Meeting held December 6, 2022.

Mr. Voyles moved to approve the 2021 Compliance Review from IDOT for County Motor Fuel Tax Funds, Township Motor Fuel Tax Funds, and State Township Bridge Funds. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven, which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no).

PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: Phelps)

Meeting held December 2, 2022.

Mr. Phelps states they have no motions but mentions they have had discussions with the Village of Gays to handle their planning and zoning. More information and details are forthcoming. In addition, they had a setback issue with an existing kennel owner. Ms. Hart states the property owner will have a survey completed.

Ms. Hart stated she went to the Gays meeting last evening, December 14, 2022, and a plan is forthcoming to handle their planning and zoning.

Meeting held December 7, 2022.

Mr. Phelps stated they have no motions, but they had discussion about filling a vacancy and making some of the jobs more attractive in the future as far as recruitment of people; the Sheriff's department will be losing some people due retirement and other jobs.

Mr. Phelps iterated the importance of the board members to take tours of facilities in order to have a better idea what they are dealing with when there are issues.

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE (Chair: Kirby)

Committee did not meet.

Ms. Kirby moves to appoint Aaron Bontrager to the Jonathan Creek Drainage District to fill the vacancy in the office of Ed Kuhns (deceased), term to expire September 2024. Mr. Voyles seconded the motion which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no).

Ms. Kirby move to appoint the following Drainage Commissioner, all terms to expire September 2025:

Dennis Smith - Asa Creek Drainage District

Jordan Watkins - Jonathan Creek Drainage District

Levi Yoder - Drainage District #3

Ed Reedy - Drainage District #6

Kurt Robinson - Lowe Drainage District #2

Gary Sentel - Lowe Drainage District #4

Stephen Davis - Lowe Drainage District #5

Obey Gingerich - Lowe Drainage District #7

Richard L. Beachy - Lowe Special Drainage District

Mark Kuhns Sullivan - Drainage District #2

Terry Warren Drainage - District #6

Tim Singer Union Drainage - District #1

Dennis Smith - Union #1 by User Drainage District

Berle Casteel - West Okaw Outlet Drainage District

Kent W. Spencer - Whitley Drainage District

Mr. Voyles seconded the motion. The motion passes (9 yes, 0 no).

INSURANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Roe)

Committee did not meet.

Mr. Roe stated he has reached out to former board member/insurance committee chair, Elizabeth Houser to give him some direction.

PERSONNEL (Chair: Kirby)

Meeting held December 14, 2022.

Ms. Kirby stated the committee discussed holiday/appreciation bonuses for those who work in the courthouse and some of the things done in the past years including last year. The committee decided to not give bonuses since raises are given. The committee will be discussing some of the things that were done last year to try to make sure everyone is going to be on the same page pay wise, instead of taking a one-time bonus that some got last year; to make everyone's pay more equitable.

Ms. Kirby moved to pay $5,000.00 per year from line item 690.21 of the GIS Budget to the person who is designated by the Chief County Assessment Officer to complete the split and combine work; this amount will be added to the yearly base salary similar to the Chief Deputy pay. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vander Burgh. Discussion held. The Assessor explained her position for not specifically naming Alicia Morgason for this motion and why the percentage of raise would only be applied to the person's base salary. The motion passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no).

Ms. Kirby moved to make the above motion for pay made retroactive for fiscal year 2023 to get paid the increase as of when other county employees received their pay raises for fiscal year 2023. Mr. Buxton seconded the motion, which passed by roll call vote. (9 yes, 0 no)

AD HOC COMMITTEES

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) (Chair: Stephanie Helmuth)

Committee did not meet.

COUNTY EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

Committee did not meet.

State's Attorney Weaver stated the next meeting will be held in the County Board Room on January 26, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. The committee is getting close to having the handbook done.

DIVE TEAM (Chair: T. Graven)

Committee did not meet.

Mr. T. Graven stated they have nothing at this time.

WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (WECS) (Chair: Voyles)

Committee did not meet.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Voyles stated he heard of Iroquois County passing the new ban on the Second Amendment gun right bill. House Bill 5855. Mr. Voyles encourages everyone to look at it and stated he supports this for Moultrie County.

Sheriff Carroll explained the State is in discussion on a new bill to where they would make assault weapons, semi-automatic, and magazines that hold more than 10, illegal unless within a timeframe, maybe 30 days, after passing, a person would have to register that weapon or the magazines with the Illinois State Police.

Iroquois County has passed a Resolution supporting the second amendment and a citizen's right to own and bear arms. Sheriff Carroll stated he supports this, he feels every citizen should be able to own firearms, whether for hunting, sport, or just collecting. Guns can be a huge investment. Sheriff Carroll stated he does not support the registry of firearms. He too is in support of the Second Amendment and the right to own firearms and supports the Iroquois County Resolution their County Board passed.

Mr. Voyles made a statement supporting the second amendment and making Moultrie County a sanctuary county. He will forward to the board members copies of the Resolution passed by Iroquois County. and Mr. Voyles will be meeting with State's Attorney Weaver concerning the legalities of this matter and try to come up with Moultrie County's. Additional discussion was had.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2(e)

No executive session held.

COMMENTS

OFFICE HOLDERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS

No comments.

BOARD

No comments.

PUBLIC

Audience member, Nancy Barker, asks about the second amendment resolution and shouldn't that be for the public to have that say.

Mr. Roe moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Tyler Graven seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

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