Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met May 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chair Bill Voyles called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Board members present, Bill Voyles, John Vander Burgh, Travis Phelps, Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, and Joshua Roe. Absent were Marsha Kirby, Tyler Graven, and Kenny Graven.

There were 23 people in attendance including six board members and County Clerk Qualls.

Mission Statement - read by Scott Buxton.

Correspondence: Planning & Zoning Director, Kristi Hart stated the County has received a thank you card from the U of I Extension office for the County Board’s continued support and financial investment.

Minutes: Mr. Buxton moved to approve the April 13, 2023, meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

Unfinished Business: None

Appointments by Chair: Mr. Voyles moved to appoint Daniel Cotner as Trustee of the Bethany Fire Protection District; term to expire April 30, 2026. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vander Burgh. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

Mr. Voyles moved to appoint Wayne D. Schrock commissioner of Drainage District No. 1, Lowe Township, for a term of office to expire the first Tuesday in September 2023 and until his successor is appointed and qualified. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

NEW BUSINESS

STANDING COMMITTEES

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Vander Burgh)

Meeting held May 8, 2023.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the April 2023 Treasurer’s Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. Mr. Buxton asked a question about a check payable to Georgia England on check number 281067. Ms. Qualls said she would check on that and email him if that is ok. Roll call was then taken, and the motion passed 6 Yes, 0 No. (Mr. Buxton showed the check to Ms. Qualls after the board meeting, the check was for payroll dated 4/28/23.)

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to add Income Line Items 001-001-40723-001, City of Sullivan and 001-40723-002, Village of Gays, to record receipts of permitting income by the city/village. The motion was seconded by Mr. Buxton. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to increase line item 001-012-51290, Capital Outlay from $165,000.00 to $265,000.00 for exterior repairs to the courthouse. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting held May 3, 2023.

There were no motions.

ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: Voyles)

Meeting held May 2, 2023.

Mr. Voyles moved to approve the Joint Funding Agreement for Section 21- 00081-GR guardrail project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Buxton. The motion passed by roll call vote 6 Yes, 0 No.

PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: Phelps)

Meetings held May 5, 2023, and May 19, 2023

Mr. Voyles introduced Andy Kite, outside attorney for the wind and solar project. Mr. Voyles thanked him for all his help and guidance on the Wind and Solar Ordinance updates forced by the State.

Mr. Phelps moved to approve the draft Wind Ordinance as recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. After some questions asked of and answered by Mr. Kite, roll call vote was taken as follows: Mr. Buxton, under distress from the State of Illinois, votes Yes; Mr. Wilhelm, disagrees with it, votes Yes; Mr. Roe, Yes; Mr. Voyles, No; Mr. Vander Burgh, Yes; Mr. Phelps, Yes.

(Ordinance 23-03; Book 2, Pages 24-45)

Mr. Phelps moved to approve the draft Solar Ordinance as recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. After some additional questions asked of and answered by Mr. Kite, roll call vote was taken as follows: Mr. Buxton, with the same stance, votes Yes; Mr. Wilhelm, Yes; Mr. Roe, Yes; Mr. Voyles, No; Mr. Vander Burgh, Yes; Mr. Phelps, Yes.

(Ordinance 23-04; Book 2, Pages 46-61)

PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE (Chair: Phelps)

Meeting held May 3, 2023

Mr. Phelps stated the 1st Aid, CPR training class was held May 17th, there were 14 to 16 people signed up. We will be moving forward to having additional people in the courthouse trained in CPR, 1st Aid, and AED.

Mr. Voyles stated that with Sheriff Carroll’s and Mr. Phelps’ help, the negotiations for the deputies are moving very well forward. Hoping to wrap that up ahead of schedule.

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE (Chair: Kirby)

Committee did not meet.

With Ms. Kirby absent, Mr. Voyles moved to approve Moultrie County Sale in Error Fee Ordinance to increase the Sale in Error Fee from $20.00 to $40.00. The motion was seconded by Mr. Buxton. After a question about the fee, County Treasurer Helmuth explained the State statute allows the fee to go up to $60.00. The County set the fee at $20.00 many years ago. This amount was sufficient, but with laws changing in the tax sale process, the favor is falling more in favor of the tax buyer and taxpayers which results in sales in error falling back on the county and the County having to pay those monies back. Currently, we have under $25,000.00 which can be quickly wiped out by three or four Sales in Error. We have taken three cases to court; we have won all three and one small admin error. It would take nothing if tide should start turning. This is a way to build the pot, so those monies don’t come out of the County. Ms. Helmuth explained that the assessor’s office and the assessors are good at taking pictures, the State’s Attorney has been good at presenting the pictures in court showing the appearance of the property prior to the tax sale. Roll call was then taken, the motion passed 6 Yes, 0 No.

(Ordinance: 23-02; Book 2, Pages 22-23)

INSURANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Roe)

Meeting held May 3, 2023

Mr. Roe moved to compensate Cindi Reed in the amount of $1,500.00 quarterly or as needed for prescription drug cost review. The motion was seconded by Mr. Voyles. Cindi Reed along with Danielle Finn of Loman Ray were present at the meeting. Cindi explained historically she was able to identify that the insurance company was grossly overcharging for claims the county was paying as a self-funded provider. Preliminary reports showed at least $40,000.00 in what’s called spread-pricing, turns out there was way more. At that time, the plan was restructured, saving the employee money at the cash register, and saving the county money in claims. In an effort to save the County money on prescriptions, which is the biggest self-expense, Cindi suggests doing these cost reviews quarterly because these claims are repeated, people’s health change, and drug prices fluctuate. Danielle explained that using Cindi’s expertise helps keep the cost of our insurance premiums down.

After some additional discussion with Danielle and Cindi, roll call vote was taken. The motion passed 6 Yes, 0 No.

PERSONNEL (Chair: Kirby)

Meeting held May 16, 2023.

No motions.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

DIVE TEAM (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting held April 19, 2023.

No motions. Committee member Kristi Hart stated the meeting was to touch base with them. Joash is working on the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) after State’s Attorney, Tracy Weaver gave some feedback.

Mr. Wilhelm asked about the ARPA funds provided to the dive team. Ms. Hart informed the board the dive team has not spent anything, they are still looking for a truck within their price range, in the condition they would like to see it. So, none of the funds have been spent.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2

No executive session was held.

COMMENTS

BOARD

Mr. Wilhelm gave an update on the childcare committee. The focus at this time is solely on existing providers with not a lot of focus on getting new providers. However, that will be shifting very soon. There is a Facebook page called Moultrie County Kids which is now asking, are you interested in a career in childcare, if so, let us know. There are funds allocated for new positions in the County not just for existing providers. The front page of the May 24, 2023, New-Progress shows a picture of Rita Florey with Linda Featherling, one of three existing providers to take advantage of the program so far. To Roughly $20,000.00 has been given between the three existing providers. Each provider was given $300.00 for each slot they offer, and with any changes they were able to make to their building, etc. an additional $2,000.00 per each additional slot. There are more funds available for those that get State certified. Current providers can reach out to be put in contact with Andrews Group.

Next, Mr. Wilhelm offers Kudos to Stephanie Helmuth for the increase of approximately $250,000.00 for the County through investments over the past month.

Next, Mr. Wilhelm states it did come to his attention that the Employee Handbook was modified after the March 9th board meeting. There were changes made, whether they were large substance or not, doesn’t matter. Procedure was not followed. There will be a Handbook Committee meeting June 7th at 9:00 a.m. The version that was distributed to the employees is not the version voted on by the board, the front page of the handbook did not mention there were changes made, there was no notification that this was done. Mr. Wilhelm’s point is that there are procedures to follow; whether this was done in the past or not, the board will not stand for it. The board has a process for things like this and if the process is not followed, it will be dealt with.

OFFICE HOLDERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS

Treasurer Helmuth stated tax bills were mailed from Spokane, Washington on Tuesday (May 23, 2023). Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend before receiving those bills.

Kristi Hart thanked attorney Andy Kite for all his help with her questions, and Tracy and Elizabeth, Travis Phelps, Josh Roe, and all those that helped in the process for the Wind and Solar Ordinances. And for doing the right thing.

PUBLIC

Jef Liddiard commended the committee and the board for handling the wind and solar, by having the community meetings to get input from the community, and thinks the ordinances closely reflect what the county wants.

Mr. Voyles hopes to continue to push for what the county wants.

Ms. Hart says she has received no applications.

ADJOURN: Mr. Voyles asked for a motion to adjourn, which motion was made by Mr. Buxton and seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. The motion passed by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/moultrie//Minutes%20-%20May%2025,%202023.pdf