Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met July 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in the County Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chairman Travis Phelps called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The opening prayer was given by board member Wilhelm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by all in attendance.

Roll Call was taken, with the following members present Travis Phelps, Tyler Graven, Aaron Wilhelm, Josh Roe, Ralph Zancha, Lisa Florey, and Arlon Long. Absent were Kenny Graven and Scott Buxton. A quorum was present.

There were 9 people in attendance, plus seven board members, and County Clerk Qualls.

Mission Statement – Read by Zancha.

Correspondence: None.

Minutes: Phelps requested a motion to approve the June 12, 2025, county board minutes. The motion was made by Roe and seconded by Wilhelm. Tyler Graven moved to amend the minutes to include that he was at the June meeting. Qualls stated she will so amend (minutes amended before printing and posting). There being no further discussion, roll call vote was taken on the amended motion; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Guest Speakers: None

Unfinished Business: Phelps moved to accept the resignation of Scott Buxton from the Moultrie County Board. The motion was seconded by T. Graven. With no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no.

Appointments by Chair: Phelps moved to appoint Joe Wallis to the Moultrie County Board to fulfill the remainder of the term of resigned member Scott Buxton, term to expire November 30, 2026. The motion was seconded by Florey. There was no discussion. Phelps mentioned this is an appointment by the Chair, there will not be a vote. Joe was recommended by the Republican Central Committee and as the chair, Joe was also Phelps’ pick.

Wallis was then sworn in by Clerk Qualls.

Phelps read the First Reading to appoint BILL HARLIN as Trustee of the Lovington Fire Protection District to fulfill the remainder of the term of retiring trustee David Bowers; term to expire April 1, 2026.

NEW BUSINESS

STANDING COMMITTEES

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Roe)

Meeting: July 7, 2025

Roe moved to approve the Treasurer’s reports for June 2025. The motion was seconded by Wilhelm. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention by Wallis.

Roe moved to approve all claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Zancha. There being no discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention by Wallis.

Roe moved to recommend the State’s Attorney to draft a resolution to keep the Grocery Tax for Moultrie County. The motion was seconded by Zancha. T. Graven asked if we know how much we will bring in on that grocery tax. Phelps explained it is broken down by the state, but the main thing is it includes only the unincorporated areas we would get the money from, which is like five or six places. This is not an additional tax, it’s just continuing a tax. We are unsure of the dollar amount this would collect. Roe mentioned we would like to have the resolution done so we can vote on it before the October 1 (2025) deadline. With no further discussion, roll call vote was taken; the motion carried 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention by Wallis.

Roe reminded those in attendance there are budget hearings August 5 and 6, everyone from the board is welcome to come. They do take the majority of the morning; it is really good to be a part of to see what each office is looking to budget.

In addition, Treasurer Helmuth has the RFP (Request for Proposal) letters to send out since the current auditor is retiring.

BUILDING AND PROPERTY (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting: July 2, 2025

T. Graven stated they had a meeting but have no motions.

ROAD AND BRIDGE (Chair: K. Graven)

Meeting: July 3, 2025

It was stated Kenny is not here, they had a meeting but no motions.

PLANNING, ZONING and LAND USE (Chair: K. Graven)

Meeting: July 3, 2025

It was stated Kenny is not here, they had a meeting but no motions.

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

Meeting: No meeting.

Phelps stated they did not meet this month.

PERSONNEL (Chair: Wilhelm)

Meeting: July 3, 2025

Wilhelm stated they met, no motions. They did have discussions about salary increases since we are going into the budget season.

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES

LEGISLATIVE (Chair: T. Graven)

Meeting: No meeting

T. Graven stated they did not meet.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2

There was no need for executive session.

COMMENTS

BOARD

Zancha contacted Global Tech in Effingham and found out what’s going on with the radios. They have had an antenna on the tower at the Sheriff’s station monitoring the frequencies the FCC assigned to them. The input frequency of the repeaters we are going to use is on the same frequency as Arrow Ambulance out of Pana. Therefore, they have to reapply for a license. So, until they get the new frequencies reassigned, nothing is going to happen.

Roe thanked the State’s Attorney for guiding us through unchartered waters we didn’t want to be a part of. And thank you to Joe for stepping forward. Joe thanked the board for having him.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Clerk Qualls announced to the board members and Sheriff in attendance that packets for those intending to run in the March 17, 2026 primary will be available for pickup and circulation beginning August 5, 2026. Filing period will be October 27, 2025 through November 3, 2025.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

No comments.

PUBLIC

One person commented that the packet pick up goes for all seats too. Qualls stated yes but named only those present so they are aware.

ADJOURN:

Phelps asked for a motion to adjourn. T. Graven so moved with Roe seconding the motion. Via voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/moultrie//7.10.25%20-%20Co%20Brd%20Minutes.pdf