Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met Nov. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, November 9, 2023, in the County Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chairperson Billy Voyles called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 Billy Voyles, Tyler Graven, John Vander Burgh, Travis Phelps, Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, Kenny Graven, and Josh Roe. Absent - Marsha Kirby.

There were 14 people in attendance plus eight board members, and County Clerk Qualls.

Mission Statement – Read by Tyler Graven.

Correspondence: Mr. Voyles read a letter from the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Post 68 thanking County employee Veterans for their service to our Country and providing a card for each.

Minutes: Mr. Voyles asked for a motion to approve the October 12, 2023, board minutes. Mr. K. Graven moved to approve said minutes. Mr. T. Graven seconded the motion. With no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Guest Speaker: Dave Cole of the Moultrie County Counseling Center spoke to the board to share how they benefited from ARPA funds received. Mr. Cole mentioned the Center celebrated their 50th anniversary in June [2023]. The Center has 8 counselors, a total of 14 staff, with a case load of 353 individuals. During Covid, they had a higher rate of intakes, possibly with people frustrated at being at home. However, the rate of intakes continues to increase, Mr. Cole feels this could be from the general acceptance or lack of stigma associated with mental health issues. Some of the things the Center has done with the ARPA funds is to higher an additional children’s therapist, an additional adult therapist, and used it to waive amounts due on old bills, which he feels benefited both parties affected by the lack of payments. They also updated their electronics due to the use of telephone and online visits.

Currently the Center has staff one day a week in Sullivan Schools and one day a week in Lovington. That is one thing the schools are asking for. This looks to be a trend occurring more and more.

Pastor Dave Dolan of New Life Church spoke on behalf of The Life Center. Pastor Dave began by thanking the board for their generosity in providing the money to The Center who received $41,000.00 in ARPA funds. The Life Center is a thrift store and food pantry and is its own independent 501C3 non-profit organization managed by his wife, (Debra) along with about 60 volunteers. The roof was in dire need of repairs, the building stores and houses a variety of items that are sorted then put out. All of the income the center makes goes to purchase food from the Eastern Illinois Food Bank or Midwest Food Bank in Bloomington. So, we used the funds to have the roof repaired by Mike Costello Painting, as well as updating the HVAC system paying Muzzy’s $16,000.00. Without these funds, the Center wouldn’t be where it is, it has cut the Center’s utility bills enormously. The Life Center currently serves about 100 families per week and the numbers are increasing.

Not on the Agenda, but in attendance, Susan Rauch spoke on behalf of The Beacon. Ms. Rouch began by thanking the board for their support. The Moultrie County Beacon received $370,000.00 in ARPA funds. The Beacon has individuals who live in residential or CILA Homes scattered around town, and they have day programs Monday through Friday serving those who live in the homes and others from throughout the County. Those day programs were shut down during Covid, leaving the CILA Home residents remaining in the homes pretty much 24 hours a day. $280,000.00 of the funds was attributed to lost income from the closure of the day programs due to Covid. Additionally, they experienced a loss of income for one of the CILAs due to one consumer passing away from Covid. The Beacon also, before Covid, had a successful BINGO program and the Lighthouse Café which were significant incomes for the Beacon all of which were shut down; they have never gotten those going again. They also used to hold an annual fundraiser at the Otto Center in Arthur which got canceled. This fundraiser brought in about $90,000.00 a year to go into their programs. The $370,000.00 was allocated into the day program which serves 72 individuals daily. They were also able to start getting cameras into the facilities, which is helping a great deal.

Unfinished Business: None

Appointments by Chair: Mr. Voyles moved to appoint John Mowry as Trustee for the Windsor Fire Protection District, to serve the remaining three-year term vacated by James Hooten as Trustee. The appointment is to commence December 14, 2023, and terminate December 14, 2026. Mr. Roe seconded the motion. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Voyles moved to appoint Kurt VanDeursen to the Sheriff’s Merit Commission effective January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed, fulfilling the unexpired term of David Bowers. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Voyles moved to appoint Gary Smith to the Sheriff’s Merit Commission effective January 1, 2024, and to expire December 31, 2024, or until a successor is appointed, fulfilling the unexpired term of Jeff Thomas. The motion was seconded by Mr. Buxton. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

NEW BUSINESS

STANDING COMMITTEES

Mr. Voyles went out of order to the Insurance Committee since guest Linda Huber of Loman-Ray Insurance was in attendance for only a short time.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Roe)

Meeting: November 7, 2023

Mr. Roe moved to approve the 2024 renewal proposal from Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT). The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. Linda Huber explained there is a 9% increase in the cost of the property insurance. As we all know, the cost of property insurance is rising in the Midwest. Values went up 10% on the buildings; 2/3 of that 9% is property, and within the package policy is law enforcement. Law enforcement coverage has gotten expensive, and you have the excess above that. 1/3 of the increase is workers’ compensation, which went up because there is one major claim. With no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Roe moved to approve the 2024 renewal proposal for Unemployment Insurance with ICRMT. Mr. T. Graven seconded the motion. Mr. Roe checked with Ms. Huber that the cost went up from .98% to 1.05%. Ms. Huber confirmed and explained that instead of paying into the State Unemployment, the payments go into a pool, and they can keep a better handle on the funds. Mr. Vander Burgh asked if we pay on the first $13,000.00 like for the state. Ms. Huber stated yes, just like the state, but it just goes into a pool. And should there be a claim, they are going to fight it more than the State. There being no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Roe moved to approve the 2024 Health renewal proposal with Insurance Program Managers Group (IPMG). Mr. T. Graven seconded the motion. Ms. Huber explained nothing in the program has changed; there is a 2.18% increase, which is unheard of these days. Ms. Huber stated that what the insurance committee is doing to control drugs and claims is good. They have seen a lot of increase due to pharmaceuticals. How the County is working with the local pharmacies is keeping everything under control. Mr. Roe informed the board that Ms. Huber had stated at their meeting that having Cindi [Reed] review all the prescription costs has been a good thing for the County. There being no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Vander Burgh)

Meeting: November 6, 2023.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the October 2023 Treasurer’s report. Mr. Wilhelm seconded the motion. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. There being no discussion, roll call was taken, the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 Moultrie County Budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. Mr. Vander Burgh explained in reference to this, we had to have the budget on display for at least 14 days, we have now done that and now it is time to publicly accept and put into place that budget. The levy that goes with the budget is going to be separate because we need to do a truth in taxation hearing which will be held prior to the Budget & Finance Committee meeting in December. There being no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 6 yes, 2 no, with Buxton and Wilhelm voting no.

BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting: November 1, 2023.

Mr. T. Graven stated he has no motions. They did have a meeting wherein they discussed the special committee on the plan going forward about space and they are going to take that on as a building and property committee and will have a special meeting November 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, they plan to be going around the courthouse looking at options for imminent need.

Repairs have gotten started again on the exterior of the building since they received the color matched material. Mr. Buxton asked about the temperature and the material affixing to the building. Mr. Liddiard stated the temperature is within the parameters of the patch.

ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: Voyles)

Meeting: November 2, 2023.

Mr. Voyles moved to approve the Resolution Appropriating Funds for the payment of the County Engineer’s Salary. The motion was seconded by Mr. K. Graven. Mr. Voyles stated this is keeping everything in line with Piatt County and us for sharing Eric. When asked if this is a one-time thing or, if it is monthly, Mr. Voyles stated we were a month off from Piatt County and this is just making paperwork flow better. Mr. Seibring stated this ends up being prorated for 11 months. Next year we will do it a month earlier, instead of in August, it will be done in July to match up with Piatt and that will make IDOT happy. With no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Voyles moved to approve the Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. Mr. Seibring stated this is basically motor fuel tax work for next year, the same amount as last year; it appropriates the funds for motor fuel tax for the upcoming year. With no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: Phelps)

Meeting: November 3, 2023

Mr. Phelps moved to approve the Resolution to Increase the Compensation for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members from $20.00 per day to $50.00 per day for attending ZBA meetings. The motion was seconded by Mr. K. Graven. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

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

Meeting: November 1, 2023

Mr. Phelps stated he has no motions, but the committee continues to monitor the Safe-T Act and monitor the effects it has on the County both on the judicial part and the jail system.

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Chair: Kirby)

Meeting: November 2, 2023 - canceled

DIVE TEAM (Chair: Tyler Graven)

Mr. T. Graven moved to approve Abby Elzy as a diver and Justin Helmuth as a shore responder. The motion was seconded by Mr. K. Graven. There being no discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

There were no Ad Hoc committee meetings.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Voyles moved to participate in the service program of the Office of the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor, commencing December 1, 2023, and ending November 30, 2024, by hereby appropriating the sum of $8,000.00 as consideration to the Office of the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor for services to be rendered in FY 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. State’s Attorney Weaver stated this is a contract we enter almost every year; if there is a conflict, the appellate prosecutor will send someone to prosecute that case. They also provide training for the SA’s office. Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Dobson stated they are also the one’s handling the appeals on the Safe-T Act Detention hearing decisions; either side can appeal. Mr. Vander Burgh asked if this is an amount they set according to population; Ms. Weaver confirmed. Mr. Vander Burgh asked if we need them more than planned, are there additional costs? Ms. Weaver stated, no, it is a set fee. With no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 8 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Wilhelm shared the Childcare Initiative committee decided to extend the contract with the Business Childcare organization for six months. The value of the training they provide is worth the extension. There are still funds available. They don’t want to eat up the funds paying the consultant. Will be awarding funds to the Sullivan Preschool soon. They are in conversation with Agri-Fab.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2

No executive session.

COMMENTS

BOARD

Mr. Roe asked about the process of setting up a new committee for the upkeep of the County buildings. Mr. Voyles explained the Building & Property committee will be taking on the task of long-term goals of the Courthouse and/or other buildings.

Mr. Voyles encouraged all board members to attend the November 16 meeting concerning the Courthouse to walk around and see all the offices you haven’t been to or haven’t talked to, to come up with long-term goals. For instance, Sheriff Carrol has goals, but they still have to go through the board. Additional discussion was had with input from several people to answer Mr. Roe’s question.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Treasurer Helmuth announced the tax sale was held Tuesday, [November 7, 2023].

The audit is done, so the County should be getting their distribution next week.

The engagement letter for the 2023 Audit has been executed. Yes, we just got done with the audit, but this will get us on schedule.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Alicia Morgason spoke on behalf of Assessor Barringer that the Assessment Notices hit mailboxes on November 1, 2023. If you get calls, please have them call the assessment office. File appeals by December 1, 2023. Additional discussion was held.

Jef Liddiard stated the contract for the generator is being signed. They will have 546 days to complete. The generator is about 320 days out, so it will probably not be done next year, but the following.

PUBLIC

0 Mr. Steve Buxton asked about the farm tile project and how much water shed will be taken off. Mr. Voyles stated he doesn’t know off the top of his head and at this time, we are only participating in the tile main extension for the future. The county farm is not tiled.

ADJOURN: Mr. Voyles asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Roe moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. Via voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/moultrie//Minutes%20-11.09.2023.pdf