Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met Dec. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, December 14, 2023, in the County Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Vice-Chair Marsha Kirby 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 Marsha Kirby, Tyler Graven, John Vander Burgh, Travis Phelps, Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, and Josh Roe. Absent - Billy Voyles and Kenny Graven.

There were 10 people in attendance, seven board members, and County Clerk Qualls.

Mission Statement – Read by John Vander Burgh.

Correspondence: There was no correspondence.

Minutes: Ms. Kirby asked for a motion to approve the November 9, 2023, board minutes. Mr. T. Graven moved to approve said minutes. Mr. Buxton seconded the motion. With no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Guest Speaker: None.

Unfinished Business: None

Appointments by Chair: None.

NEW BUSINESS

STANDING COMMITTEES

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Vander Burgh)

Meeting: December 11, 2023.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the November 2023 Treasurer’s report. Mr. Roe seconded the motion. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roe. With no discussion, roll call was taken. Mr. Wilhelm explained before voicing his vote, he wanted to explain why he was voting no. It is not because he feels there is any misuse of the funds or over taxing, but because when running for office, he promised that he wouldn’t vote for any type of tax increases. He made those comments before he had a true understanding of how the taxing process works at the local level. So, for this year, he will be a no vote; the motion carried 5 yes, 2 no, with Buxton and Wilhelm voting no.

Mr. Vander Burgh moved to approve the six-month statements from the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Sheriff’s Office for the period June 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilhelm. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting: November 16, 2023; December 5, 2023

Mr. T. Graven stated they had two meetings, one being a special meeting on November 16, 2023, wherein the members got to walk around to see what the urgent space needs are for the courthouse as part of the special committee Building and Property absorbed.

The committee held their regular meeting December 5, 2023, but have not motions.

ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: Voyles)

Meeting: December 5, 2023.

No motions.

PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: Phelps)

Meeting: None.

Mr. Phelps moved to approve the Resolution to Establish Building Permit Fees and Zoning Hearing Fees. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. Mr. Wilhelm asked if these are new fees. Planning & Zoning Director, Krisit Hart stated the fees are being increased. The increase had to be mentioned before the board could vote. It was mentioned in the September 2023 meeting. There being no further discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

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

Meeting: None.

No motions.

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Chair: Kirby)

Meeting: December 8, 2023

Ms. Kirby stated the committee met to discuss, at the Sheriff’s request, paying part time employees that work at the animal shelter on holidays at time and one-half. It was agreed that it is up to the Sheriff.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

There were no Ad Hoc committee meetings.

OTHER BUSINESS

Ms. Kirby moved to approve an ordinance to approve the current paid leave policy for all Moultrie County employees as set forth in Moultrie County's Code of Ordinances, Employee Handbook, Annual Salary Ordinances, any collective bargaining agreements of which Moultrie County is a party and all other binding legislative actions governing paid leave adopted by the Moultrie County Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. State’s Attorney Weaver explained that on January 1, 2024, the Paid Leave for All Workers Act is going into effect; local counties, if they have paid time off structures, they can opt out of that. In order to opt out, we have to have an Ordinance in effect before January 1, 2024. If the board wants to, we can keep our current paid time off policy and not go to the requirements of the paid leave act. After some discussion concerning the requirements of the act, State’s Attorney Weaver explained the statute does allow for local governments, municipalities and the like to opt out if they have an existing structure that meets the requirement, but since our paid time off is more generous than what they are suggesting, we are okay. Having been asked about part-time employees, State’s Attorney Weaver stated this is for all employees, full-time or part-time, but for our part-time employees, our policy may need to be adjusted to meet the statute. Additional clarification on the part-time employee paid leave was had. State’s Attorney Weaver stated this is not permanent so should the county board determine at some point that they want to change or align with the state law, we can always file an ordinance to do that. There being no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Ms. Kirby moved to approve the Lease Agreement between Heritage Grain Co., Landlord and Moultrie County, Tenant for the installation and maintenance of repeater equipment for a term of five years commencing September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2028, on Parcel ID 04-04-22-417-001, Bethany, IL. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. Tyler Graven stated this is for the digital radio; we’ve been working on getting the leases together to file them. This is for coverage for all of Moultrie County Sheriff, Fire, and EMS. State’s Attorney Weaver mentioned this is equipment previously approved using ARPA funds. After being asked about the repeaters, Sheriff Gary Carroll informed the board we currently have six repeaters across the County which do not cover the entire county, causing dead spots. There are currently no repeaters in Dalton City. Sheriff Carroll further explained how the ARPA funds were used to purchase additional equipment and set up the new equipment. With no further discussion, roll call was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Ms. Kirby moved to approve the Lease Agreement between Heritage Grain Co., Landlord and Moultrie County, Tenant for the installation and maintenance of repeater equipment for a term of five years commencing September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2028, on Parcel ID 01-01-31-102-001, Dalton City, Illinois. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. There being no discussion, the roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Ms. Kirby moved to approve the Lease Agreement between Moultrie County Rural Public Water District, Landlord and Moultrie County, Tenant for the installation and maintenance of repeater equipment for a term of five years commencing September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2028, on Gays Water Tower, Gays, Illinois. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. There being no discussion, the roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Ms. Kirby moved to approve the Lease Agreement between Moultrie County Rural Public Water District, Landlord and Moultrie County, Tenant for the installation and maintenance of repeater equipment for a term of five years commencing September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2028, Parcel ID 08-08-33-000-200, South Shores Water Tower, Sullivan, Illinois. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Graven. There being no discussion, the roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Childcare Initiative – Aaron Wilhelm updated the board on the initiative. The committee held a meeting December 12, 2023. Agri-Fab Daycare is going through the process with the consultant. Once they are done with the program, they will qualify for funds through the committee. There is one in-home provider getting her license through the state which will allow her to apply for additional grant money. The Sullivan Preschool was presented with a check for $21,600.00 after completing the business course. The committee is planning to set up a website for parents to help find daycare, including fire, police, etc. phone numbers, and other help they may need.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2

No executive session.

COMMENTS

BOARD

Mr. Phelps acknowledged how much the board has accomplished over the past year. Some of the accomplishments include their continuing to invest in the Safety Act, hiring a County Highway Chief Engineer, passed a responsible budget, created more transparency, adding additional coverage for insulin pumps to employee health care, signed a new Sheriff’s contract, passed the wind and solar ordinance, adjusted the county employee wages to reflect the cost of living, acknowledged the second amendment rights of the citizens of Moultrie County, as well as other things and decisions to make this county a great place to live.

Mr. Roe spoke about the 708-board repeating from last month, the Beacon is in need of an RN. If you know of anyone interested, please have them reach out to the Beacon.

Mr. Roe announced he has the quarterly review from Pharmacist Cindi Reed and will have that ready for next month’s meeting.

Mr. Roe then went on to thank those who came prepared and helped the first-year members through the budget process and to John [Vander Burgh] for his guidance. Just a reminder, to everyone including the general public, when we have to pass things like a levy, that’s not just affecting the people that aren’t on this board, it affects us as taxpayers as well, so we will do it in the most responsible way possible.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

None.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

None.

PUBLIC

None.

ADJOURN: Mr. Kirby 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 7:27 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/moultrie//12.14.2023%20minutes.pdf