SE Illinois News

White County Board met May 21.

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 Wednesday the 21st day of May, at 7:00 p.m. and was called to order by County Board 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: Kenny Usery, Amanda Cannon, Cassie Pigg, Clint Spencer and David South were present. 

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery seconded by Mr. Spencer, 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: Clerk Heil told the Board that Fidlar is still working to get all the images from CIC to transfer over. 

County Treasurer: Treasurer Baxley told the Board that the 2024 audit is completed and the auditors will be at the next board meeting to give their reports.  He told the Board that the revenues went up 2% and the expenses went down 8%.  He also told the Board that the County made a good stride this year in closing the deficit gap.  The cannabis money is starting to come in now and it is averaging $36000 a month. 

Circuit Clerk: Not in attendance

Ambulance: Mr. Allen stated that he didn’t really have anything to report.

State’s Attorney: Mr. Neal said that things are going well.

Sheriff: Sheriff Weiss told the board that he has gotten 2 out of 3 bids and will bring them to the next meeting to open.  He told the Board that he purchased a new used squad car to have as a spare in case it is needed.  Sheriff Weiss informed the Board the Officer Capeheart and his wife came across a wreck in Gallatin County and both Officer Capeheart and his wife rendered aid until help arrived.  He told the Board that Kelly got every village the stuff that they needed to get started with E Citation.  They are hoping to get training and everyone going on that within the next couple of months.

Supervisor of Assessments: Not in attendance

Highway: Mr. Ray said that he had a couple of items on the consent agenda.  The first one is the resolution to appropriate funds for the salary for 2025.  IDOT sends out a letter of recommendation salaries in October for the upcoming year.  This year they waited till May to do that.  The second resolution is his six-year appointment if the board chooses to appoint him.  He also told the board that back in December Illinois OSHA showed up for an inspection.  They have gotten everything fixed and sent back into the case manager.

EMA: Not in attendance

TB Officer: Not in attendance

Coroner: Not in attendance

911: Not in attendance

Administrative Services: Mr Gallardo with Bellwether just wanted to put it on everybody’s radar that we are six months into the budget cycle and with the next variance report they are wanting to get everyone’s line items taken care of as soon as possible to start the budget for next year.  Next thing is the GIS mappint issue that the GIS mapping software is having.  He said that he is tracking that issue as of today.  He stated that the old company said that they were providing the layers with the new one and they are not.  Mr. Harmon introduced Liberty to the Board.  She is new with Bellwether and is currently working full-time in Piatt County where she is doing a grant writing for them. 

Chairperson Pigg asked if there was any public comment:  None

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was read by Chairperson Pigg.

1.            Discussion and possible approval of Charlotte Kennedy to be added to all White County Bank Accounts.

2.            Discussion and possible approval of a resolution to sell 12-08-391-010 to Kristi Woodrow for $830.

3.            Discussion and approval Resolution Appropriating Funds for the Payment of the County Engineer's Salary

4.            Discussion and approval Resolution Reappointing County Engineer

5.            Discussion and possible approval of a resolution to support and Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission 2025-2026.

6.            Discussion and possible approval of a commitment of funds to Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission for $4945.00 for 2025-2026.

7.            Discussion and possible approval to remove the Flex Fund.

8.            Discussion and possible donation to Southern Illinois Critter Fixers.

9.            Discussion and possible approval of the County Coroner Mutual Aid agreement.

10.         Discussion and possible approval of the resignation of Travis Thompson from the White County Housing Authority Board.

11.         Discussion and possible approval of the appointment of Austin Rahmoeller to the White County Housing Authority Board.

Chairman Pigg asked if anyone would like any of the items removed from the agenda.  Mr. South asked to remove item 8. 

There was a question of what the flex fund is.  It is basically an old HSA that the County used to have that no one utilizes now.  The account has been dormant for a while now and they are wanting to move that into the general fund. 

Board Member Cannon asked what item 9 consisted of.  Sheriff Weiss explained to the board that it is typically something that law enforcement does in case of disasters or mass casualties for them to be able to help other counties if they need assistance. 

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mr. Spencer to approve items 1-11 except 8 on the consent agenda.  Vote passed by roll call. 

No motion was made on item 8 causing the item to fail.

OLD BUSINESS

1.            Discussion and possible approval of the bills from VET Environmental for samples from the landfill.  (tabled item)

Mr. Neal told the Board that they are going to need to table this item.  He has talked to Mr. Edwards, and he wants to have a meeting as well with every party involved because he thought that the fee would be much lower.  

MOTION was made by Mr. Usery, seconded by Mrs. Cannon, to table the paying the bills for VET Environmental.  Vote by acclamation.  All voting aye, none nay.  Motion carried. 

2.            Discussion and possible approval of the appointment to the Downstate Illinois Tourism Board.  (tabled item)

No one has come up with a second appointment.  Clerk Heil told the Board that no one or the tourism board has reached out about needing another representative. 

No motion was made.

NEW BUSINESS

A.            Discussion and possible approval of the Egyptian Health Department handling Tuberculosis due to the resignation of Sara Hon and dissolving the Board. 

The Board agreed to let that go to the Egyptian Health Department.  Mr. Harmon told the Board that it isn’t uncommon for the health department to handle this. 

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

CLAIMS

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION

No Executive Session

County Board Member Non-Action Items and Comments

Next meeting will be June 18, 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. 

https://irp.cdn-website.com/4e51b38b/files/uploaded/5-21-25+board+meeting+minutes.docx