SE Illinois News

White County Board met Dec. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The White County Board convened at the White County Courthouse in the City of Carmi, State of Illinois, on Thursday the 21st day of December, at 7:00 p.m. and was called to order by Chairman Cassie Pigg.

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

On Roll Call, the following Board members responded as being present, which represented a quorum: Clint Spencer, Amanda Cannon, Kenny Usery, David South, and Cassie Pigg.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to approve the minutes of the White County Board meeting. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

COUNTY OFFICER REPORTS

County Clerk: Nothing to report.

County Treasurer: Submitted his report in writing.

Circuit Clerk: Nothing to report.

Ambulance: Ambulance Director, Adam Allen, reported a balance $6292.29 to the good for the month and $7160.48 to the good for the year.

State's Attorney: Nothing to report.

Sheriff: Submitted his report in writing.

Supervisor of Assessments: Nothing to report.

Highway: Nothing to report.

EMA: Not in attendance

TB Officer: Not in attendance

Coroner: Submitted his report in writing.

911: Not in attendance

Administrative Services: Dustin Harmon with Bellwether LLC stated that the quarterly variance report takes normally a little longer at the end of the year. He stated that they will get the end of year report from the Treasurer and work to get that out to everyone. He stated that there is two new pieces of legislation that effects Counties. The first one is in the County Clerk's Office and the State is regulating the fees for recording. They are basically changing the names of the fees. There will need to be a new resolution made to align with the new requirements. The second is the new paid leave act. He stated that part time labor is now subject to paid time off. For every 40 hours worked part time labor earns time off. The employee handbook will need to be updated and they will work on getting that taken care of.

Chairman Cassie Pigg opened the floor for public comment: None

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was read by Cassie Pigg, Chairman.

A. Discussion and possible approval of renewing of Animal Control contract with Steve Heil and any change of contract terms.

B. Consider the appointment of Ralph Hall as Secretary of the Norris City Fire Protection board.

C. Consider the agreement between White County Sheriff and the White County Ambulance departments.

D. Consider the approval for the order of County Commissioners appointing Tim Barbre September 1, 2026 for Randolph District.

E. Consider the approval of an Ordinance for paying Jim Hayes for the repair of the ambulance out of the ARPA funds.

F. Discussion and possible approval of letter of recognition of Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism as a state certified tourism bureau.

G. Consider the approval of an Ordinance for pay CIC for accounting software out of the ARPA funds.

H. Consider the approval of an Ordinance to pay Midwest Telecom for phone and internet installation for Probation and Ambulance out of the ARPA funds.

I. Consider the approval of the appointment of Fire Chief Daniel Ballard replacing Jim Totten on the 911 Board.

Chairman Pigg asked the Board if the items need to be removed or discussed further.

MOTION was made by Mr. South, to remove item A on the consent agenda. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Questions were asked about the amount that was owed to Midwest Telecom.

Chairman Pigg then called for a motion to approve the consent agenda with item A being removed.

MOTION was made by Mr. South, seconded by Mr. Spencer to approve the consent agenda. On roll call vote was as follows: Yes - Spencer, Cannan, Usery, South, and Pigg. 5 yes, 0 nays, motion carried.

Discussion then took place on item A. Chairman Pigg stated that the contract has not been updated and that there needs to be some changes done to the contract and then placed on the next agenda for approval. Mrs. Cannon asked if the building was half owned by the City and County. It was explained that each side pays their own bills. Mr. South asked about if the roof was placed over the runs so the dogs can not be thrown into the pens. Mr. Usery said that it was taken care of when they placed cameras at the pound. Mrs. Cannon asked if there is any information kept on if the animals are vetted. Chairman Pigg stated that she got a message from Pets at Risk letting them know about what all their organization covers. Mr. Usery stated that the only dogs that are ever put down are the dogs that are unadoptable.

MOTION was made by Mrs. Cannon, seconded by Mr. South to table this item until the next meeting. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Discussion and possible approval of the solar application process and fee increase. (tabled item)

Chairman Pigg asked what the current fee cost was, and it was told that it was $5,000. Mr. Aud stated that it is not set, but it must be something reasonable. Mr. Harmon stated that if the process cost you more than your fees than you can charge a higher amount. Mr. South stated that he would like to make a motion to raise the fees to $25,000 and then they can give the money back to the highway department or to whoever for whatever extra time that they have in the project. Mr. Ray said that it is written to state in the plan that the roads that they will repair the roads if they tear them up. Mr. Rays also stated that he spends most of his time dealing with solar. Mrs. Cannon asked if there were any applications outstanding. There was talk about Pawpaw Solar was still working on their new installation, but there was the potential of issues with possible animal species.

MOTION was made by Mr. South, seconded by Mr. Usery, to raise the application fee to $25,000.00. On roll call vote was as follows: Yes - Spencer, Cannan, Usery, South, and Pigg. 5 yes, 0 nays, motion carried.

Mr. South stated that we need to also look into putting more information into our application. Possibly looking into other Counties as far as what they require. Mr. Ray stated that the County is handcuffed due to the restrictions set by the State. If the County puts anything into their application that is more restrictive than the States, then the solar company can fight the County. Mrs. Cannon suggested to put in as much as we can. Mr. South asked about suspending the application process for anything new coming in.

B. Discussion and possible approval of replacing the decommissioning bond with the letter of credit for Boomtown Solar. (tabled item)

Mr. Harmon talked to the about a clean energy attorney that they work with and has brought this to his attention. They are having him work with the States Attorney and they are working to get this taken care of. He has seen things like this go wrong and knows what language that the county needs to have to keep things from happening. Mr. Harmon stated that our Ordinance does state that the County will accept a letter of credit, but he would like the Green Energy attorney to help us make sure the letter of credit wording is where it needs to be. Chairman Pigg stated that this needs to be table until the attorney can give the County recommendations.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to table this item. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider the resignation of Denton Aud from the White County State's Attorney position effective January 2, 2024.

Chairman Pigg stated that the Board wanted to thank him for service to the County. Mr. Aud stated that he has been very blessed to work with the County.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mr. Spencer, to approve the resignation of Denton Aud. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

B. Consider the appointment of Christopher Neal to White County State's Attorney fill the vacancy by the resignation of Denton Aud effective January 2, 2024.

Mr. Neal introduced himself to the Board. Chairman Pigg stated that the White County GOP has sent in a letter stating that they approve the nomination of Christopher Neal to take the open seat.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to approve the appointment. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

C. Discussion and possible approval of amending the board meetings dates to the third Wednesday of the Month for the calendar year and changing the time of the meeting.

Chairman Pigg stated that this was being done so Bellwether LLC can be in attendance and that there will be no more day meetings.

MOTION was made by Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to approve the new meeting schedule. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

D. Consider the approval of entering into a contract with Rice & Sullivan for 3 years to complete the County audit.

County Clerk Heil told the Boad that finding auditors is almost impossible.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mr. Spencer, to approve the contract with Rice and Sullivan. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

E. Discussion and possible approval of the White County Board by laws.

Mr. Harmon stated that the first step in adjusting with new counties is that they like to update the by laws to update agendas. He said the biggest change is the agenda format and the voting.

MOTION was made by Mrs. Cannon, seconded by Mr. Usery, to accept the by laws. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Chairman Pigg stated that the next item was to approve payment of all County bills.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to approve all the bills. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

County Board Member Non-Action Items and Comments

Next meeting will be January 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the White County Courthouse.

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to adjourn. Vote by acclamation. All voting aye, none nay. Motion carried.

12-20-2023-18

LOST REVENUE STANDARD ALLOWANCE ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, The American Rescue Plan Act provides for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, a definition which includes White County, Illinois, and

WHEREAS, The United States Treasury Department was tasked with administration of the American Rescue Plan Act and in July 2021 issued instructions, criteria, and limitations for the use of funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act compiled titled U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL RULE & GUIDANCE FOR STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS (31 CFR Part 35 / RIN 1505-AC77) henceforth U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL RULE, and

WHEREAS, guidance in the U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL RULE, defined multiple expense categories including formulas to demonstrate the impact of the public health emergency COVID 19 had on White County revenues, and

WHEREAS, in January 2022, the U.S. TREASURY issued U.S. TREASURY FINAL RULE AND GUIDANCE FOR STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS (31 CFR Part 35 RIN 1505-AC77) henceforth U.S. TREASUARY FINAL RULE, with further clarification of rules, processes, reporting and tracking requirements and significant changes to the process for determining recipient Lost Revenue, and

WHEREAS, calculations completed according to the U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL RULE by Bellwether LLC, attached hereto, and made a part thereof, using financial data provided by the White County Treasurer revealed a Lost Revenue amount of $___10447.99 for White County, and

WHEREAS, U.S. TREASURY FINAL RULE provides the continued use of the aforementioned formula or provides for White County to claim a Standard Allowance consisting of the lesser of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or the total full funds provided to White County by the U.S. TREASURY in both tranches, and

WHEREAS, funds claimed by White County as Lost Revenue may be used for all purposes under Government Services as defined by the U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL RULE and as expanded by the U.S. TREASURY FINAL RULE, and

WHEREAS, recovered Lost Revenue funds may not be used for to establish reserve funds, resolve debt incurred prior to March 3, 2021, offset changes in taxes levied, make bulk payment to pension funds, or make payment on court directed settlements and must be accounted in the periodic reports required by the U.S. TREASURY INTERIM FINAL REPORT and facilitated by Bellwether LLC.

NOW THEREFORE, the White County Board elects the Standard Allowance method of calculating Lost Revenue for White County and henceforth shall regard $2,600,000.00 as recovered Lost Revenue subject to the rules, reporting and tracking requirements defined in U.S. TREASURY FINAL RULE and hereby ordains the following:

1. The County Treasurer shall collaborate with Bellwether LLC to identify and reclassify prior approved obligations and expenditures for ARPA funds and prepare draft ordinance for board action of the same.

2. Further projects using Recovered Lost Revenue shall continue to be reviewed for eligibility by Bellwether LLC and approved by ordinance by the White County Board using the established processes.

3. The County Treasurer shall define accounting procedures to record uses of funds derived from Recovered Lost Revenue and shall provide the White County Board with monthly reports reflecting fund balance, obligations and expenditures.

4. Departments engaging in project funded through Recovered Lost Revenue shall maintain records and provide information to the White County Treasurer and/or Bellwether LLC to properly prepare required reporting as defined by the U.S. TREASURY FINAL RULE.

The purpose of this Ordinance is to pay for the repair of the ambulance engine.

Passed by the White County Board on this 20th day of December, 2023.

AYES: 5

NAYS: 0

PRESENT: 5

ABSENT/ABSTAIN: 0

https://irp.cdn-website.com/4e51b38b/files/uploaded/12-20-23%20Meeting%20minutes.pdf