Macon Reporter

DeWitt County Board met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting was called to order at 6:01pm by Chairman Matthews.

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

Christopher Ware, Chairman of the DeWitt County Housing Authority Board, was present to introduce Samantha Rusk, the new DeWitt County Housing Authority’s Executive Director. Ms. Rusk went over some items she has been working on since taking the position 6 months ago and some future projects she will be working on.

Betsy Shifflet was present to talk to the Board about Enel and the curtailment violations. She asked the Board what they feel constitutes a violation and asks that they address that at next month’s meeting when Enel will be present. She also told the Board that she was informed the Wapella Bluff project is expected to start in 2028.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to approve the June 20, 2024, County Board meeting minutes. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to appoint Curt Homann to fill the vacant DeWitt County seat with Central Illinois Economic Development Authority (CIEDA). The term is for 6 years and will expire the third Monday of 2030. Mr. David Tolbert, prior to his passing, was the DeWitt County seat holder. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Tilley to re-appoint Sharon Mills to the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department serving a 3-year term expiring June 30, 2027. In assuming this role, Sharon will also serve as a member of the DeWitt County Tuberculosis Sanitarium Board. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to re-appoint Christopher Ware as a commissioner on the DeWitt County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners with a term set to expire on May 31, 2030. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Myers to appoint Brandi Carter as Supervisor of Assessments effective September 27, 2024, to fill the unexpired term ending May 31, 2026. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Carter gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Land Use meeting. He said they discussed the curtailment issues and put together questions to ask Enel at next month’s meeting. He said they also agreed that Witte will be the spokesperson to ask the questions and told the Board if they had any questions that they would like asked then they should direct them to Witte. 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. She said she had nothing to bring forward at this time. Minutes from the Public Safety meeting are filed with these minutes.

Ferguson informed the Board that the Property meeting was cancelled this month because they did not have a quorum. He said the equipment for the tuckpointing project should be arriving soon and the project will then start.

Prestegaard gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Road and Bridge meeting. He said the final layer of asphalt and some shoulder work is all that is left on the Revere Rd project and the project is coming to a quick completion. Minutes from the Road and Bridge meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Prestegaard second by Deerwester to approve the Resolution for Salary and Expenses of DeWitt County Engineer, Section 23-00000-00-CS & 23-CS039-00-AC. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Prestegaard second by Carter to approve quote to purchase concrete sealer from ICC Distribution Group for $16,620.80. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Matthews gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Marina meeting. He had nothing to bring forward. 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 all bills. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to purchase new handheld radios from Motorola in the amount of $161,715.40 utilizing ARPA funds. Sheriff Walker told the Board this would cover 20 radios, which includes 3 extras, and covers all deputies and EMA. Witte thinks the Board should wait a month to decide on this and give other office holders the opportunity to submit other projects that may need addressed. He agrees new radios are needed but wants to know if there are other office projects that may need some of the remaining ARPA money. Board Administrator, Rentmeister, told the Board the money that would be used to buy the radios had not been allocated for anything. Matthews said he believes the money should be spent on new radios. Sheriff Walker said he wasn’t sure of any other project that could possibly affect public safety like his department having bad or not working radios.

Motion by Witte second by Prestegaard to table the purchase of the radios. Witte and Prestegaard would like to see what has been spent, what money has been allocated and what money is left from the ARPA money. And give other departments the chance to turn in projects they may need done. Aye: Witte, Deerwester, Myers, Prestegaard, Ryan. Nay: Carter, Ferguson, Matthews, Riddle, Tilley. Motion failed.

Back to the original motion: Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to purchase new handheld radios from Motorola in the amount of $161,715.40 utilizing ARPA funds. Aye: Witte, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Nay: Carter, Prestegaard. Motion carried.

Tabled motion from May 23, 2024, back on the table: Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to approve the financial form of letter of credit for decommissioning with Enel/Alta Farms. Aye: Witte, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Tilley. Nay: Carter, Ryan. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Tilley to approve and certify salary increase for full time Public Defender position at 90% of the State’s Attorney’s salary pursuant to 25ILCS 120/6.6 and 55IL CS5/3-4007. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to approve Case S266-2024- City of Farmer City is requesting a special use permit to construct a municipal building on property located at 1 Municipal Drive, Farmer City. The building has already been constructed. A special use is required because of the zoning designation of R1. Both the RPC and ZBA have recommended approval of the special use. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to adopt the revised Chapter 110: Alcoholic Beverages (County Code of Ordinances). State’s Attorney Markwell told the Board that there was some language that needs cleaned up and suggested correcting some wording before adopting. Matthews withdrew his motion and Ferguson withdrew his second. Motion off the table.

Motion by Matthews second by Witte to approve the “Resolution for the Adopting of Supplement to DeWitt County Code of Ordinances.”. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Myers for the Board to direct all committees to review/update job description for positions reporting to them including verification of all compensation being paid to that position. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Motion carried.

Motion by Ferguson second by Witte to approve the Resolution to Authorize County Board Chairman Dan Matthews the Authority to Sign Any and All Required Documents to Effectuate the Sale of the Property Constituting Clinton Lake Marina. State’s Attorney Markwell told the Board that the title company handling the closing of the sale of the Marina is requiring to have this on file. Aye: Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Myers, Prestegaard, Riddle, Ryan, Tilley. Present: Matthews. Motion carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Myers to adjourn at 7:12pm with all in favor.

https://www.dewittcountyil.gov/government/agendas_minutes.php