Macon Reporter

DeWitt County Board met Dec. 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Matthews.

Roll call was answered by Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Riddle and Deerwester were absent.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to approve the November 28, 2023, County Board meeting minutes. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Carter gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Land Use meeting. He said they finished suggested text amendments to Chapter 153 and have forwarded it to the ZBA for further consideration. Minutes from the Land Use meeting are filed with these minutes.

Myers told the Board that the Public Safety Committee meeting was cancelled this month but did want to let the Board know that Tony Harris and Nicole Sullivan have both passed their AC1 training for the Animal Shelter and both are now certified.

Ferguson gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Property meeting. He told the Board the committee will be seeking additional bids for the landscaping project around the building. Minutes from the Property meeting are filed with these minutes.

Prestegaard gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Road and Bridge meeting. He said the highway crew has been preparing the plows in preparation for any inclement weather. Minutes from the Road and Bridge meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Prestegaard second by Carter to approve Joint Funding Agreement & Resolution, Revere Rd Section 20-00044-05-RS. Prestegaard explained that this is required when Federal funding is involved. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Motion by Prestegaard second by Werts to approve Resolution for Maintenance, 2024 MFT General Maintenance. Prestegaard said this is something that needs to be approved annually and the amount is the same as last year, $500,000. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Matthews gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Marina meeting. Matthes told the Board that the RFP went out on December 18, 2023. Minutes from the Marina meeting are filed with these minutes.

Tilley gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Finance meeting. Minutes from the Finance meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to pay end of FY2023 bills. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Myers to pay bills. (These bills start the FY2024 budget.) Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to adopt Multi-Factor Authentication Policy and Procedure – effective February 1, 2024. Tilley explained that it was recommended by our cyber security and by our insurance company to do this. Employees will have 2 steps to log in to their computer and one step is either with their cell phone or with a dongle. Witte questioned some wording in the policy, stating that it’s stated that only the employees who have County phones or receive a stipend for their cell phone can use the phone, but any employee can choose to use their cell phone as an authentication source, they would just not receive a stipend towards their phone. He also feels that the word “will” be sent home if the employee forgets their dongle should be changed to “may” be sent home so that the department heads can make that decision.

Motion by Witte second by Ferguson to amend Tilley’s motion to change the wording in the policy as mentioned. Dee will make corrections to the policy. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Back to original motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to adopt Multi-Factor Authentication Policy and Procedure – effective February 1, 2024 (with amendments). Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Tilley to approve FY24 County Board meeting dates. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthes second by Witte to approve Case S260-2023 – Commercial/Community Solar on 40 acres (Blue Iris Solar) PIN 05-15-200-002. Carter said it should not be filed under Community because this project is going to service anyone, and this project is 40 acres, and the County “Community” definition says 5 acres or under. He thinks this should be filed under Commercial. Ben Jakoby, attorney for Blue Iris Solar said it was filed under Commercial and the word Community is also stated because local people can sign up for it. He said “Community” is used Statewide in the Illinois Statute, but the definition is different than the Counties meaning of “Community”. He also said the project does operate as Commercial. Ryan spoke on his support for voting yes. Matthews clarified with Markwell that the application was filed correctly, and Markwell said that it was filed correctly. Aye: Farris, Ferguson, Matthews, Prestegaard, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte. Nays: Myers, Carter. Motion Carried.

Ryan gave an update on the new County website. He said the live date is scheduled for January 9, 2024, at 9am. He also would like to address sometime soon the County not having a backup person to administer the website page. Matthews said that is something they can look in to.

Ferguson wanted to let the Board know that the wind towers are up and running. There are no lights on the towers now. Any towers that are lit up red are ones that are not generating power. He believes currently there are 2 towers that are flashing red.

Matthews thanked the members for a good first year as a Board. He said even though they all don’t agree on things they worked together and were able to get a lot of good things done.

Motion by Tilley second by Werts to adjourn at 6:40pm with all in favor.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/dewitt/Documents/Government/Agendas%20Minutes/Board%20Meeting/2023/DEWITT%20COUNTY%20BOARD%20MEETING%20MINUTES%20DEC%2021%202023.pdf