SE Illinois News

White County Board met Aug. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the White County Board begun and holden this 15th day of August 2023 in the Courtroom of the White County Courthouse in the City of Carmi.

Chairman Pigg called the meeting to order at 7:00. Clerk Heil took roll call with Spencer, Cannon, Usery, South and Pigg present.

Chairman Pigg led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Pigg stated the first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous board meeting. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call vote.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to approve payments of the County’s bills. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the payments, seconded by Mr. South. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call vote.

Chairman Pigg asked if any County Officers had anything to report. County Clerk, Kayci Heil, said that the liability insurance carrier came into the office and reminded them that everyone is required to take a yearly sexual harassment training as well as cyber security training. Clerk Heil also brought it to the Boards attention that a taxing district brought to her attention that they didn’t get all the monies that they levied for in the past year. After some digging Clerk Heil was able to find where the mistake was made. For the last 2 years there were two taxing district funds that were switched. Clerk Heil explained that when you are working with tax extension it is not uncommon to have to use previous years amounts or work in correlation with the previous year of taxes. It was a very easy mistake to make. She told the Board that she has talked to both taxing districts and the taxing district that was overpaid has agreed to take that money from their levy for the current year and transfer the funds to the district that was underpaid. Clerk Heil informed the Board that this wouldn’t fix the whole problem and that additional money would have to be levied to make up for what is still owed. Mr. Aud wanted to inform the board that this isn’t additional money that the district is getting, but this is money that they were supposed to get for the past two years that they haven’t gotten. Clerk Heil explained that with the solar it is going to raise the Counties EAV which would cause the rates to be lowered. She stated that unfortunately there was a problem that was found and now it must be fixed. Mike Baxley, County Treasurer, made his report. His paper report can be found in the office. Circuit Clerk, Kelly Fulkerson, stated that she received a technology grant this year. She was able to refund one of her funds up to $43,000. Ambulance Director, Adam Allen, stated that there was a mistake made with some Medicaid and Medicare program. He said that it was a simple mistake made with licensing and he will get everything that they are supposed to collect. Mr. Aud, States Attorney, stated that he did hire a new Assistant State’s Attorney. Mr. Aud spoke very highly of his current Assistant State’s Attorney, Christopher Neal. White County Sheriff, Jordan Weiss, told the Board that Deputy Poole is retiring after 32 years of service. His last day will be August 31, 2023, and they will be having a retirement party for him on that day. He also stated that he is having issues with two of his squad cars. He stated that they are new, and he shouldn’t be having issues with them. He stated that they do have the jail trucks that he can use but hopes that it doesn’t get that far. He also talked to the Board about with the two most senior deputies retiring that it has freed up a lot of salaries. He said that there has been an uptick in crime in the hours that they don’t have a Deputy on and that there is the potential of having or hiring a sixth deputy. He stated that the extra deputy would not only help him out, but also other surrounding cities. He stated that we are one of the biggest square miles County, but have the smallest Deputy roster. Supervisor of Assessments, Gary Baxley, stated that they have everything turned into the Illinois Department of Revenue. Mr. Ray, County Highway Engineer, stated that a year ago he applied for funding to replace a bridge on Centerville Road. He stated that they awarded funding for that bridge and will pay for 80 percent of cost. The total estimated cost is 6.5 million dollars. He stated that the bad part is that the County must come up with the other 20 percent.

Visitors: Mr. Brooks York addressed the Board about issues that he is having with solar traffic. He stated that he would like to ask the Board to form a communication committee to work with the solar companies. He was thinking it could be made up of someone from the Board, Township, solar company, and a couple of residents. He also mentioned that someone with the school’s transportation. He thinks that it will go a long way to making everything work better. Mr. York complimented Mr. Joulton from the solar project on his help on the issues that they are having. Mr. Craig Williams made a comment about a road that has been chewed up and the sub soil is showing. Mr. Ray told Mr. Williams that the road is going to be oil and chipped towards the end of the month. Mrs. Chris Birkla who is a representative of Rides Mass Transit came to address the Board about everything that is going on with Rides. She wanted to make sure that everyone knew that Rides was available to everyone in our area. Mr. Martin Ray Barbre stated that he wanted to thank Mr. York for what he said and that he was right. Mr. Barbre stated that he thinks that this project is going to do a lot for the County. He stated that Mr. Williams, the Burnt Prairie Road Commissioner, is doing a fantastic job with the roads. Mr. Joulton with Invenergy stated that they do not want to cause any issues and that they want to work with the residents. He said that they are working very hard to get everything working to the best of their ability. Mrs. Cannon said that everyone is bringing valid issues to the Board.

Communications: None

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the discussion of the City of Carmi giving the EMA services to the County. This item was tabled from a previous meeting. Chairwoman Pigg stated that this was supposed to be dismissed from the agenda.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was approval of the appointment of Lynnie Schanzle to the Egyptian Health Department Board. This was tabled from the last meeting. Chairwoman Pigg stated she has worked for Egyptian Health Department in the past and has agreed to the appointment. Mr. South made a motion to approve the appointment, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried on a 5-0 roll call vote.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the discussion and possible approval for adding Probation to the County phone and internet service. Chairwoman Pigg stated that the best thing to do is put this on hold until they can figure out what is going to happen with the buildings. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to dismiss this item from the agenda, seconded by Mr. South. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider an Ordinance to pay for insulating the County Highway Building out of the ARPA funds. This was tabled from a previous meeting. Chairwoman Pigg stated that they now have quotes for this project. Mr. South made the motion to approve the ordinance for insulating the shop, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the discussion of obtaining written contract for non-union employees. This was tabled from a previous meeting. Mr. Aud stated that his contract were good and he is going to go ahead with it. Mr. Aud stated that there was no need for the County to approve his contracts with his employees. Mrs. Cannon asked Sheriff Weiss if he was going to add job descriptions to the current contracts. Sheriff Weiss stated that possibly when we condense down buildings then there is a possibility to look into a custodial/handy man position. Mr. Usery said that eventually it would be beneficial to have a handy man instead of having to find contractors to do work.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the approval of a lease agreement with the State of Illinois for the office space for Pretrial Services. Circuit Clerk said that this was based off square footage. She is currently using the former County Clerk’s Office. Circuit Clerk, Kelly Fulkerson, stated that this rent money should be put back into the building fund. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the lease, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion Carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the resolution to approve payment out the of Arpa funds to Slays Carpet Care for Sheriff Department. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the payment, seconded by Mr. South. Motion Carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the resolution to approve payment out of the ARPA funds to Trico Roofing LLC for repairs done to the Sheriff Department and County Jail. This is for the new roof and not repairs. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion Carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the resolution to approve payment out of the ARPA funds to Carmi American Legion Post. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Mr. South. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the discussing of Pawpaw Solar LLC – Notice of intent to appeal. Chairwoman Pigg stated that with the State ordinances that were already in place that they didn’t see why they needed to approve it. Mrs. Cannon stated that the people in her district do not want solar in their area. Mr. Usery stated that he doesn’t think that government agencies should tell people what they can do with their property. Mr. Aud stated that he has multiple discussions with Pawpaw Solar and that even though they have brought up issues with ordinance and state statutes they have been more than gracious to work with the County in every way possible. Mr. Aud stated that they have acted in good faith. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the appeal and application, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion carried 3-2 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the discussion and possible approval for weekly/biweekly of rental mats for county offices. There were two companies that were looked into, and Sheriff Weiss found where you can buy the same rugs on Amazon. He stated that the amount that we were going to pay for the services that we can pay for new mats every so often. Mrs. Cannon mentioned possibly purchasing multiple rugs that can be swapped out every so often. Mr. South made the motion to approve the purchase of the mats instead of paying for the rug service, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Chairman Pigg asked if anyone had anything for the Executive Session. Mr. Aud stated that he had something for Executive Session for litigation. Mrs. Cannon made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. South. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Mr. Spencer made a motion to come out of Executive Session, seconded by Mrs. Cannon. Motion carried 5-0 roll call vote.

Other Business: Sheriff Weiss asked who was going to be cleaning the new annex building. The Board told him it was the responsibility of the custodian to clean the buildings. Mrs. Cannon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried 5-0 on roll call.

Other business: Next meeting will be September 14, 2023 at 9:00 A.M.

https://www.whitecounty-il.gov/county-board