Macon Reporter

DeWitt County Board met May 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

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

Chairman Matthews addressed the correspondence submitted by Sandy Schlosser announcing her retirement. Clerk Harris said that the letter from Sandy was submitted to the Finance committee and then sent to all Board members. Clerk Harris also wanted the Board to know that Sandy was not able to attend the meeting and that her Chief Deputy, Brandi Carter, was in the audience to represent Sandy.

Clerk Harris informed the Board that on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, she received a Withdrawal of Candidacy from Mr. Matthews, removing himself from the November ballot. She also informed the Board that she forwarded the Withdrawal of Candidacy to Moe Winstead, Republican Party Chairman, along with a County Board District D Republican active voter list and the forms that would need to be filled out and submitted to her to slate someone to fill the vacancy on the ballot. The deadline to file such papers is August 28, 2024, which was provided by the State Board of Elections.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to approve the April 18, 2024, County Board meeting minutes. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Tilley to re-appoint Lindy Jackson to the DeWitt County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners with a term to expire May 31, 2029. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to re-appoint Kenneth Robinson as trustee to the Kenney Fire Protection District with a term ending April 30, 2027. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to re-appoint Mariah Anderson to the RPC with a term to expire April 20, 2027. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by to appoint Angie West to the ETSB with a term to expire March 31, 2027. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Carter gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Land Use meeting. Carter said they have moved the Battery Storage Ordinance to the RPC and that Enel said they would attend August’s meeting to answer any questions. Minutes from the Land Use meeting are filed with these minutes.

Myers gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Public Safety meeting. Myers said she didn’t have anything to bring forward but did want the Board to know that she was able to meet the new full time Warden at the Animal Shelter, Javan Bristow, and informed the Board that the new EMA Coordinator started with the County on Monday (5/20/24). Minutes from the Public Safety meeting are filed with these minutes.

Ferguson gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Property meeting. Ferguson said they received two bids to do the flooring in the Treasurer’s office. Wall to Wall Flooring bid $11,950 and K&S bid $5,000. He said they went with K&S. Ferguson also stated that they had received a quote of $1,600 to replace the carpet in the Public Defender’s office, copy rooms and the EMA office. Minutes from the Property meeting are filed with these minutes.

Prestegaard informed the Board that the Road and Bridge committee did not meet this month. He did want the Board to know that the highway crew has started mowing and weed eating and that the Revere Road project is going smoothly.

Matthews gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Marina meeting. Matthews said there was nothing to bring forward from the committee, but he did say the County employees that are working at the Marina have done a good job and are appreciated. He also gave appreciation to Holly for getting her food truck up and running quickly at the Marina. 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 Ryan to pay all bills. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to approve health insurance renewal with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with the County contributing $740 per month for employee coverage. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Prestegaard to approve the salary for the Circuit Clerk for the next 4 years – FY25 $73,541.72, FY26 $77,218.80, FY27 $79,535.37, FY28 $81,921.43. Ryan said he did not disagree with the figures but was curious to how Finance came up with the increases. Tilley stated they did a 5%, 5%, 3%, 3% increase. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Farris to approve the salary for the Coroner for the next 4 years – FY25 $23,625.00, FY26 $24,806.25, FY27 $25,550.44, FY28 $26,316.95. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to approve DeWitt County polling locations. Clerk Harris informed the Board this was something that needed to be approved every 2 years. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Werts to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of Judges of Election. Clerk Harris explained that every 2 years the Republican and Democrat Party Chairmen must approve the Election Judge lists she submits to them, the Board then must approve them before she can take them in front of the Judge of the Court to have him approve them for their 2-year term. She also must post something in the paper giving people the opportunity to show up to the court date to object to the appointment of an Election Judge. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Farris to approve Case S265-2024 – Michael & Lori Fulfer are requesting a special use to operate a short-term vacation rental utilizing an existing building on their property located at 12881 Imperial Rd, Heyworth, IL. The property is zoned RD-2. Both the RPC and ZBA recommended approval. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to approve the financial form of letter of credit for decommissioning with Enel/Alta Farms. Ferguson expressed his concern with the foreign bank listed in the letter of credit. Carter wanted to know if they voted this down if it can be renegotiated. Tilley asked if they even had an option to turn it down. Dee read the part of the signed agreement that said the three ways to receive the credit was by an escrow account, reclamation bond, or irrevocable letter of credit. Markwell told the Board that if they turn it down, he suggests the Board choose which way they want to receive the credit and send a letter to Enel. Some members thought it would be a good idea to talk to the Treasurer to see which way would be the best.

Motion by Ferguson second by Werts to table the motion made by Matthews. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Carter to approve letter of support for Logan Correctional Center in Logan County. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to approve Commercial Real Estate Sales Contract and Right of First Refusal with Clinton Marina and Campground, LLC, for the purchase of the Marina. Tilley said she did not receive the email until shortly before tonight’s meeting and wanted more time to look it over.

Motion by Tilley second by Werts to table the motion made by Matthews. A discussion was had about whether the agreement to pay 1/2 of the slip rental money to the new owner was added to the new agreement or if it was in the previous agreement. Markwell said the agreement to pay 1/2 of the slip rental money to the new owner was not specified in the original agreement, but Matthews disagreed pointing out that he believes it fell under a section talking about current “rents”. Werts stated he didn’t feel that all potential buyers were informed of getting 1/2 of the slip rental money but Matthew’s disagreed saying all potential buyers were informed on the day that was set for them to come tour the facility. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to approve the short-term lease agreement at the Marina with Clinton Marina and Campground, LLC. After some discussion, some members felt voting on both, the Commercial Real Estate Sales Contract and Right of First Refusal and the short-term lease agreement, should be done at the same time.

Motion by Ferguson second by Witte to table the motion made by Matthews. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to recreate the full-time night shift janitorial position. Aye: Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris, Ferguson, Matthews Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Carter to adjourn a 6:49pm with all in favor.

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