White County Board met June 13

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Sep 6, 2022

White County Board met June 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At a regular meeting of the White County Board begun and holden in the Courtroom of the White County Courthouse, Carmi, Illinois.

Chairman Spencer called the meeting to order. Deputy Clerk Heil took roll call with Carter, Usery, Pigg, McAnulty and Spencer present. Chairman Spencer then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Spencer stated the first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2022 meeting. Usery made the motion to approve, seconded by Mrs. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was to approve all County bills. Mrs. Pigg made the motion to approve all County bills, seconded by Mr. Carter. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer asked if any County Officials had anything to report on. Sheriff Graves submitted his report in writing as well as Coroner Chris Marsh. Mr. Brian Ray with the Highway Department stated that his department was getting ready to start oil and chipping along with mowing. Circuit Clerk, Kelly Fulkerson, stated that her office was getting updated with new desk and computers. She also stated that she was going to be submitting a quote for the scanning the files in the back and at the drone building to be used out of the ARPA funds.

Chairman Spencer asked if there were any visitors in attendance who wished to speak. There were none.

Chairman Spencer stated next up was communications. None

Chairman Spencer stated next item on the agenda was the drawing for terms of the County Board. Deputy Clerk Heil had the terms on paper and in a canister for the board members to draw out. Districts 1, 2 and 5 will have the following 4-4-2 terms and Districts 3 and 4 will have the 2-4-4 terms.

Chairman Spencer stated that the next item on the agenda was a represented from Rice Sullivan with an explanation of the 2021 audit. Sarah Kary with Rice Sullivan stated that the audit went very well. She stated for the jail commissary fund is in compliance with the state standards. They also performed an audit on the Circuit Clerk and issued a clean opinion on their financial statements. On the County audit they were contracted to issue an opinion on the audit as well as an internal control findings. They found 4 findings and two were the same as the year before. One finding was related to untimely deposits and the other finding was an open bank account that was reflected on the general ledger. She stated that cash investments was up because of the ARPA funds and the property tax intake was up. She said that expenditures were up, but the general fund expenditures were down by $150,000. She stated that a couple funds went over budget but she complimented the County on keeping their long term debt down.

Chairman Spencer stated next item on the agenda was to consider the approval of the Illinois FOP Labor Council Contract for December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2025. Chairman Spencer stated that they already met with the Union earlier and that they had reached an agreement with the Union. Mr. McAnulty made a motion to approve the contract, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5- 0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was to consider an Engineering Services Agreement for Section #22-09129-00-DR Mill Shoals R.D. Co Rd 100 E- 1 mile South of Springerton Construction of precast concrete box culverts and approach at two locations. Mr. McAnulty made the motion to approve the agreement, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider the Resolution to declare excess equipment. Mr. Ray with the Highway Department stated that he had a couple trucks that he wanted to consolidate and put up for bids to purchase a new truck. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Mrs. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider seeking bids on a new truck for the Highway Department. Mr. Ray stated that they were looking to purchase a 1 ton dump truck. He didn’t know when this would take place, but wanted to have the option available when it presented itself. Mr. Carter made the motion to approve the Highway Department for seeking bids, seconded by Ms. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider the Resolution for support of agriculture in White County from the White County Farm Bureau. Mr. Anderson from the Farm Bureau was in attendance and explained the importance that agriculture has in White County. Mr. McAnulty made the motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider the Resolution for the payment to Banterra Bank to pay off the Coroner’s Tahoe out of the ARPA funds. Mr. Carter made the motion to approve the payment, seconded by Mrs. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider the Resolution to pay Weber Construction for the demolition of the inside of the former Carmi Times Building out of ARPA funds. Mr. McAnulty made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Carter. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was to consider a Resolution for computer for the squad cars to be purchased out of the APRA funds. Sheriff Graves presented a computer to the board as an example of what they will be purchasing. He stated that they do not have any computers in their squads and has to rely on dispatch for any needs that they might have. With the new computers they will be able to perform their own look ups without having to call dispatch and can communicate with other departments. Sheriff Graves stated that the computers will also help the deputies with reports while on their downtime. Mrs. Pigg made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Mr. Carter. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was discussion with Brandon Edwards on the White County Landfill. Mr. Edwards stated there were still several steps that needed to take place to close the landfill. He stated that they entered the terms of closing to the compliance committee and that is where status is now. He stated that first step is to hire a certified landfill operator and that with 120 they have to submit a supplemental permit application for ground water investigation. Mr. Edwards stated that in the packet that the board received was the test that was performed on the wells. He stated the longer the county waits the longer the list of test increases. Mr. Edwards spoke with a couple engineering firms and said that they would qualified to be the certified landfill operator if the County chose that route. He said that they were optimistic about the surface of the landfill area. He stated that the company would be great help in assisting the County even though the cost might be high. The board agreed that the price was high, but something needs to be done and we need to move forward with closing down the landfill. They praised Mr. Edwards for the job that he was doing and told him to move forward with his findings. Mr. Usery made the motion to go with the company to start the closing process of the landfill, seconded by Mrs. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Spencer stated the next item on the agenda was consider estimates on a generator for the Courthouse. Sheriff Graves stated that he got an estimate from a local company and that it was over $30,000 and suggested to get another bid. He also suggested considering waiting till a decision has been made on if there was a possibility of moving the Courthouse to a different building. The architect gave a layout of possibly what could be done with former Carmi Times building. The board agreed to table the generator till the next meeting. Mr. Carter made the motion to table the quotes on generators, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Other business:

Chairman Spencer asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Carter made the motion, seconded by Mrs. Pigg. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.