[0:00] Here's the batch that you guys whoever want

[0:06] » that's already been paid here. >> Everybody's not

[0:11] » the reports. >> Yeah, you got spares.

[0:14] » I got spares. >> Thank you, sir.

[0:31] Okay, thanks.

[0:39] » Everyone at 7:01, so I'll call the meeting to order.

[0:46] Um, do we have anyone here from the Ministerial Alliance?

[0:53] I'm not seeing anybody. Andy, would you mind?

[0:56] » I don't know. Thank you. If everyone would stand for the invocation and the

[1:01] pledge,

[1:06] Father in heaven, we thank you, Father, for the opportunity we have to live in

[1:09] the greatest country in the world and to govern ourselves, Father. Father, we ask

[1:17] you to be with this board. Give us wisdom and understanding that the

[1:21] decisions we make tonight will be the right decisions for this county. Father,

[1:26] we thank you for your love for us and we love you. And this we pray through

[1:30] Christ's name. Amen. >> Amen.

[1:34] » I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[1:41] for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:48] justice for all.

[1:56] Okay. Uh, Katherine, will you call the role

[2:03] » here

[2:12] » mountain?

[2:23] Shepherd >> here.

[2:26] » Bartman >> here.

[2:27] » Joey.

[2:36] » Okay. Our um first order of business is a close session

[2:42] uh regarding the um FOP agreement with the employees at the sheriff's

[2:48] department. So, if the board members could please uh go into the other room.

[2:56] We need a motion. I know. And David, if uh if you want to join us for this, that

[3:01] would be fine. So, do I have a motion to go into close session? Seeing Tom. Uh

[3:07] second, Derek. Any discussion?

[3:12] All in favor? I >> I.

[3:15] » Any oppose? Nay. >> Motion carries.

[3:20] The streaming will remain on just for those of you staying in this room

[3:26] » and we will be back just as soon as we can.

[12:43] Cheers.

[16:31] special.

[16:40] Okay.

[20:59] » [sighs]

[24:01] [clears throat]

[40:05] » Oh my god.

[40:09] chair. >> Not my chair may not make it through the

[40:13] night. >> Yeah,

[40:19] it only raised a half inch when I sat down. It's all good.

[40:27] And I'm excluded from work.

[40:32] There's another chair. Squeeze.

[40:37] I was actually

[40:43] » okay.

[41:05] Okay, we are back in open session. Do I have a motion to resume open session and

[41:12] close the end the close session? Derek [clears throat]

[41:16] second. Tom, any discussion?

[41:21] All in favor? I >> I.

[41:24] » Any oppose? Nay. Motion carries.

[41:30] Okay. Then item five, discuss and possibly

[41:35] approve proposed sheriff's department fraternal order police union agreement

[41:42] for fiscal years 26 through 2027.

[41:48] » Motion to approve >> the contract.

[41:52] » Was that Tom? >> Yeah.

[41:54] » Okay. Motion by Tom, second by Lance. Um, under discussion, I would just like

[42:00] to say for the open session that we uh have an agreement with the Fraternal

[42:09] Order of Police um to

[42:17] uh form a contract with them for years 2026 and 2027.

[42:23] It is uh per the agreement. There are some

[42:28] uh minor wording issues, but the main points of the agreement are that for it

[42:34] would be a two-year contract. For each of those years, there would be

[42:39] a 3.5% raise for those union members. And the insurance wording in the

[42:49] contract would be the status quo.

[42:55] So, um,

[42:59] » it was approved this morning uh unanimously, I understand, by the union

[43:05] employees at the sheriff's department. And so, we're asking that uh the board

[43:11] approve it tonight. And also in approving it uh the uh by doing so the

[43:20] union representative will work with our legal counsel to finalize the contract

[43:24] itself and you would be giving me the authority to sign

[43:29] um the agreement with the uh representatives for the union.

[43:35] So we have a motion on the table. Is there any other discussion? Jim.

[43:39] » Madame chair my no my vote will be no. It's my standard policy to never vote in

[43:44] favor of a document I have not read. I understand that it was approved this

[43:47] morning. It's impossible to have it in our hands tonight, but that is the sole

[43:51] reason. Okay.

[43:55] And as Jim said, we would have liked to have had it here tonight, but um

[44:01] it is it was just done uh this morning, so that just wasn't possible.

[44:07] and we'd like to get this moving so that uh we can

[44:13] uh respond to those employees with their uh 26 raises.

[44:18] So um with that uh all in favor I >> I

[44:24] » any oppose? Nay. >> Nay.

[44:27] » Uh Jim and Don or nay.

[44:33] So it is 4 to two and the motion carries.

[44:39] Okay.

[44:42] Then item six, further discuss and possibly approve two

[44:49] commercial solar energy facilities known as Griggsville Solar East LLC and

[44:55] Griggsville Solar West LLC and will be located in the southwest

[45:01] quarter of section 11, Township 4 South, range 3 west of the fourth principal

[45:08] meridian, Griggsville Township on parcel 43. 3010 0 05. And the project will be

[45:16] located approximately east of Illinois, Route 107, south of 325th Avenue, and

[45:24] north of 320th Avenue. Um,

[45:29] I understand that there are representatives here

[45:34] uh from the solar project who would like to speak uh after they

[45:40] uh are heard. If there is anyone else here who wants to speak on this matter,

[45:45] I would give them time now rather than wait until the end of the meeting for

[45:49] open uh for public comments. Uh so we'll take comments on this now and then it's

[45:55] our intent to go into close session to uh discuss this, but we'll get back to

[46:01] that. So please, if you'd introduce yourself and

[46:04] » Yeah. Hi, thank you so much for having u me here. I'm Natalie Holden. I'm

[46:08] litigation counsel for Navison. Um we're here regarding the denial of our permit

[46:14] at the July 29th board um meeting. Um we have sent a letter addressed to the

[46:21] county um outlining our position that we believe the denial was legally improper

[46:27] and that we would intend to be appealing that denial to the courts. Um and we we

[46:34] are willing to litigate and we do stand by our arguments. However, we really

[46:38] primarily just want to be cooperative with the county um and work with the

[46:42] county to get this adopted.

[46:48] Um we think there's there's benefits to the county and and we are a really good

[46:52] neighbor and we really like to cooperate with the county and address any concerns

[46:56] with the county that they may have had. But as I mentioned, we are prepared to

[47:00] litigate. Uh I did just briefly want to go into our legal arguments. Um, so, uh,

[47:06] the public hearing was held on June 22nd. Uh, I was present at that hearing

[47:12] [snorts] and, um, as of the June 22nd hearing, the Winnebago County decision,

[47:17] which Mr. Filbert referenced last month, had already been decided. So, I was very

[47:23] aware of what the case law said. And um the case law does say that counties can

[47:29] consider certain factors or standards in approving the a permit as long as um

[47:36] those factors are adopted by the county ordinance. And um as Mr. Filbert

[47:41] referenced again last week, those those factors have been adopted by Pike

[47:45] County. Um we refer to them as the hearing factors A through G. And um we

[47:51] were aware of of the law. We were aware of the case law and we were fully

[47:55] prepared to discuss these factors if they came up at the public hearing. Um,

[48:00] we prepared with the client before we had evidence that we were prepared to

[48:04] discuss with the with the public if any of the public commenters raised concerns

[48:10] about the factors. Um, and like I said, I attended that hearing. I'm an

[48:16] attorney. My primary goal when I was there was to listen to see if any of the

[48:21] hearing factors were raised and if needed we as I mentioned we were going

[48:25] to address them. Um that night only two public commenters spoke and neither of

[48:31] them raised any of the hearing factors. The first public commenter uh raised

[48:37] concerns with preserving farmland and the second public commenter

[48:42] discussed um some concerns about Navison as a corporation. Um but uh as I

[48:49] mentioned in my letter, these are not relevant hearing factors. These are not

[48:53] grounds for denial um under the case law and the statute and and the ordinance.

[48:59] And um you know, we left that hearing uh understanding that the permit would need

[49:06] to be approved at the following board meeting um based on the public record

[49:11] that was established that night since there was no evidence presented that was

[49:15] relevant to any of the hearing factors and nothing that indicated that the

[49:19] hearing factors were not met. Um there were a couple of technical

[49:23] requirements which Mr. Wyatt raised and we did address those over the following

[49:29] month. Um at the at the board meeting on J July 29th, I was again present and I

[49:36] was prepared to address

[49:42] I was prepared to address the Winnebago County decision and um you know explain

[49:48] to the board that under the law that the the permit needed to be granted because

[49:53] there was uh we had met the technical requirements and there was no issue with

[49:58] any of the hearing factors. Um there was some discussion and again

[50:02] nothing that was discussed by the board had to do with any of those hearing

[50:06] factors. As you know the board ultimately denied

[50:09] our permit and I twice asked the board which hearing factor was not met and

[50:16] what evidence supported a finding that a hearing factor was not met and the board

[50:22] could not articulate any reason for denial. Um, so at that point, you know,

[50:27] I believed that the denial was improper and went back to my client and we

[50:32] discussed that we had grounds to take this to the court. And again, as I

[50:38] mentioned, we we do stand by our our legal argument that we have grounds to

[50:42] appeal this and we are willing to do so, but we really would rather work with the

[50:47] county on getting this approved. If any county member or even member of the

[50:52] public wants to raise a concern in any way we can address in our project, we'd

[50:58] be more than willing to, you know, work with the county and try and cooperate

[51:02] and come up with solutions. And um we're also would like to offer a monetary

[51:09] payment that could assist in mitigating any of the concerns by the board or

[51:14] county members um that we would contribute to the county to mitigate

[51:20] those concerns as well.

[51:28] Does anyone have any questions for me?

[51:34] you have talked to all the people around your project or land owners.

[51:39] » Oh, council for the land owner is present and he's going to be discussing

[51:43] the neighboring property owner. Our understanding is that the current land

[51:47] owners where the project is going to be decided have connected. There's only one

[51:51] there's only one neighboring property. Um and we do understand they have

[51:56] connected and uh council for the landowner is here to discuss that as

[52:01] well and can answer questions. Um but our understanding is that the the

[52:06] individuals who live where the project is going have connected with the

[52:09] neighbor and understood that that there would be no objection. Now, the sin has,

[52:14] as we discussed last time, repeatedly tried to reach out to the neighbor and

[52:18] we haven't been able to connect. But that's why we have um council for the

[52:22] landowner present tonight to discuss that if that's one of the concerns. And

[52:25] again, our offer still stands. We are more than happy to meet with the

[52:29] neighbor if that would help move things along. If the neighbor has any concerns,

[52:33] we would be willing to address those and make accommodations. Um just to be clear

[52:38] though, we already have a setback. like the the project is already five times

[52:43] back further than it needs to be. And our understanding is the project is

[52:48] elevated, so there shouldn't be any visual concerns with the project. But

[52:53] again, as I mentioned, we've really been trying to reach the neighbor and we'd be

[52:57] happy to connect with him if he wants to talk to us.

[53:07] Maybe at this time I should ask are there other people here who want to

[53:10] speak to this? Uh sir, if you want to come up uh is there

[53:17] anyone else here that

[53:24] and if you would introduce yourself and use the microphone.

[53:37] Thank you, Madam Chairperson. My name is Mike Barton, B A R T O N. Uh, I'm here

[53:43] today on be on with sort of two capacities. One, I'm I'm here on behalf

[53:48] of the family, uh, the Whis family that has been members and ownership of the

[53:53] land for a long time. Family was all raised here. The children have all

[53:58] raised here. And I'm also here because I am a land owner west of Pittsfield on my

[54:04] family farm that I grew up on, was raised on, still invested in, and it's a

[54:08] place where I have uh deep deeply care about. And so as a

[54:13] result, I've care about this county. I've continued to try and keep a breast

[54:18] of what's going on in the county so that I can maintain and decide what's going

[54:22] on to see that it's also good for me that the investments that I have in the

[54:27] land and how this county is being developed and and things going on and

[54:32] hopefully that I can pass that on that my children and grandchildren will

[54:36] continue to feel that they can justify owning farmland and be involved in this

[54:41] county. But recently, these decisions,

[54:45] particularly by this board, have caused me to have some pause and question as to

[54:49] whether this is the long-term direction as to what I see is going on in this

[54:53] county. And with half of the owners, I think we still know that as a land

[54:57] owner, you can develop it. You can do things that you want. And if you meet

[55:01] the criteria that this board and governing bodies have all set forth on

[55:06] what the rules and regulations are that you can develop and go forward and do

[55:10] that from everything that I've seen so far that was has been done here. Your

[55:17] parameters were all set. They've always been there. Everybody has known. We've

[55:21] been working with this company for a number of years and they knew what was

[55:26] required and they've met all those criteria until all of a sudden at the

[55:30] last minute that it appears that the goalpost got moved and I'm not sure why

[55:36] that was going on. But it from the outside looking in it doesn't look very

[55:42] good to me or the family at this point. So when the family was approached,

[55:50] they've had multiple times and multiple people that given their location to look

[55:55] at development and things of this nature. And like it or not, electricity

[56:01] demands are going up every day. Like it or not,

[56:06] our governments have said we do not want coal powered plants any longer. So

[56:12] something has to be done if we're going to meet that demand. And when community

[56:18] solar projects started being developed and and marketed around the state and

[56:24] the family was approached, they looked at it, they evaluated it, and it

[56:29] appeared that it was going to be a winwin situation.

[56:34] Yes, it would help produce more energy, electricity that that the that the

[56:39] community needs. two is going to provide a substantial increase in property

[56:44] assessments so that the Griggsville School District and the county would be

[56:50] receiving a substantial benefit and and the family felt very comfortable in

[56:55] knowing that their land which [clears throat] is going to beow for a

[56:59] number of years that when it was returned and the possession comes back

[57:03] to them when this term is over that land is going to be even more productive than

[57:07] it is today. so that it can continue for the next generation and be even more of

[57:12] value in the long-term production of food uh that is going to be needed. So,

[57:17] the land is not lost from that standpoint. Whereas, you know, yes, is

[57:23] there is there a house there? Yes. But in my experience, I haven't seen any

[57:29] commercial development project or any building project ever be asked for that

[57:35] doesn't have a house nearby. I mean, we were asked to put other

[57:40] building sites out there by that house. And so what we could have had four more

[57:45] houses out there. Well, if this person thought they were living out in the

[57:49] country by themselves, now they suddenly got four neighbors. We could have built

[57:53] another mashoff building out there. We had Tucker that wanted to come in and

[57:58] put in a whole bunch of concrete and and put up a place. So things could have

[58:03] been done, but it wasn't the and other situations you've had and

[58:09] projects you've passed have had houses in the neighborhood also. The family was

[58:14] very aware of the fact that that house was there. They'd all lived there their

[58:19] entire lives and growing up. And so it becomes a situation where because they

[58:25] knew what it was and yes the elevation of that house and that point of their

[58:30] farm is as almost as high if not the highest point of Pike County and then it

[58:36] falls off a lot into the area where the rest of the the pasture and fields were

[58:41] over the years and so the family set back what they were willing to work with

[58:46] Navis on so that there would not be near the infringement type of situation.

[58:51] ation between that and the elevation felt that it would be definitely

[58:55] something that was going to be favorable and things in their life. Every time you

[59:00] have something like your neighbor can do what they want and so just because you

[59:03] have your house doesn't mean your house is always going to look the way it is 20

[59:07] years from now and you can't control what your neighbor wants to build.

[59:10] Sometimes you don't even like your new neighbor when they move in. So, but

[59:13] we're trying to be good neighbors. We're trying to participate in all of this.

[59:18] But when you look at it, it appears to me the county doesn't want business.

[59:21] They don't want development. I mean, maybe you think that marijuana

[59:25] plants are going to solve the problem of the county. Or maybe you think that

[59:30] mashoffs will build enough buildings that will help it. This is a project

[59:33] that's here. It's now. It's going to provide a win-win for everybody. And it

[59:39] appears to me that the county needs it. The electricity needs the grid needs it.

[59:46] And it's a it's a benefit that everyone should strongly think about. And it

[59:51] provides a solar community project that is not a big anchorage that allows for a

[59:57] win for everyone. And it says that we are trying to find a way to help the

[1:00:02] assessments of this county and this project. So the family respectfully

[1:00:08] requests that this board reconsider and allow the permits to go forward.

[1:00:14] Thank you.

[1:00:18] Thank you.

[1:00:28] » Hi, >> welcome.

[1:00:29] » Thanks. I'm Rebecca Myers, Rebecca Bratchel Myers. And I too am a lifelong

[1:00:34] resident of PI County and I'm thrilled to be a PI county. I only want to

[1:00:38] address one thing that I've heard um continuously at the board meetings is

[1:00:42] that um the representatives that they haven't been able to get a hold of us. I

[1:00:47] find that very concerning. I work in the county at the local hospital. I've been

[1:00:51] there for the last 16 years and I'm not difficult to find or locate. If there

[1:00:57] have been meaningful efforts have been made to reach us, I believe that contact

[1:01:01] would have been established. Hearing publicly that you have been unable to

[1:01:05] reach us that gives the impression that we are unavailable or unwilling to

[1:01:10] communicate which is simply not the case. We are willing to have reasonable

[1:01:16] conversations about how the project and the potential situ solution. However, we

[1:01:21] expect our concerns as neighboring property owners to be taken seriously

[1:01:26] particularly because our home has a direct and elevated view of the proposed

[1:01:31] development.

[1:01:40] Thank you. >> Uh

[1:01:45] uh the three people who spoke, it's your intention to stay while we're in close

[1:01:49] session and still be here when we you can do that.

[1:01:53] » Yes. >> I I would then unless a board member has

[1:01:58] a a question of one of the three right now. Oh, shoot. Now, go ahead.

[1:02:12] » I I did just want to provide a little clarity of the the monetary

[1:02:16] contributions and I really am so sorry that I don't know how the wires have

[1:02:20] gotten crossed and I I I appreciate that you're here. We're more than willing to

[1:02:24] work with you. We have set aside a certain number of funds right now. I

[1:02:28] mentioned we'd be willing to make an offer and I I'm sure some of that would

[1:02:32] be including working with the neighboring uh owner. We that's very

[1:02:36] common and um we could work on that. So, as of this point, we are willing to

[1:02:41] offer uh some combination of up to $200,000 right now um to the county to

[1:02:47] allocate uh as it sees fit. Um and we're willing to continue those discussions as

[1:02:53] well. Um, so that would be our offer for a monetary contribution we'd be willing

[1:02:58] to work through. [snorts]

[1:03:04] » Okay. Then um >> question,

[1:03:07] » Don, >> how long is the time frame on this?

[1:03:09] Mike, >> I Oh, I can stop. We um our deadline to

[1:03:14] appeal is not until October 23rd >> and the contract.

[1:03:20] He said when it eventually would come off of it. Oh, sorry.

[1:03:23] » Farm and go back to productive a what is the

[1:03:28] » contract? 30 years. >> 30 years. Okay.

[1:03:32] » And also just to be clear on our timeline as well. Um I I would be

[1:03:36] willing to work with the county. We really are trying to be cooperative.

[1:03:39] We're trying to be cooperative with the the neighbors and address anything. So

[1:03:42] we're open to negotiations. We have until October 23rd as a court

[1:03:47] deadline. So we do have some additional time. there should be one more hearing

[1:03:51] in between. Um, and we we're really open to like a creative solution and we do

[1:03:56] want to work with the county and be good neighbors. So,

[1:03:59] » I think the best creative solution is you and Mr. Meyer, Mrs. Meyer to

[1:04:04] [laughter] set out and work something out.

[1:04:09] I I just I feel like that's >> Oh, absolutely. And again, I I just

[1:04:13] apologize to her that that we I somehow the wires have gotten crossed and I

[1:04:17] really am sorry. So, I'm I'm very happy to work with you. I'm really appreciate

[1:04:21] that you came here and that we were able to connect. So, yes, we we definitely

[1:04:24] would like to work with you. So, thank you.

[1:04:27] » Walker, do you have any questions before we go into close session?

[1:04:32] » Uh, yes, but I'd rather do them on

[1:04:41] a legal standpoint.

[1:04:45] I think I'm hearing something, but I just want to

[1:04:50] Do you want to take a few minutes to do that?

[1:04:53] » Sidebar. [laughter]

[1:04:56] » Yeah, of course. Thank you.

[1:05:03] » While you're doing that, I'm going to move on to another agenda item, I think,

[1:05:13] » just to try and uh >> watch our time. Um, let's

[1:05:18] [clears throat] look at item eight. Approve previous month's regular meeting

[1:05:22] minutes.

[1:05:26] Uh, Natalie, I'm sorry, that's the second time I've done that tonight.

[1:05:30] Catherine emailed those to us uh, Sunday afternoon, I believe. Do I have a motion

[1:05:35] to approve those, Tom? Second by Andy. >> Any discussion?

[1:05:43] All in favor? I >> I.

[1:05:45] » Any oppose? May motion carries.

[1:05:52] Um looking at uh item 10, discuss and

[1:05:56] possibly approve the appointment of J. Ryan Norton to commissioner of the Sny

[1:06:02] Island Levy Drainage District. >> Motion by Andy, second by Tom. Any

[1:06:10] discussion? All in favor? I

[1:06:14] » I. Any oppose? Nay. Motion carries.

[1:06:22] Um,

[1:06:26] is there any new business tonight? >> You actually skipped us seven.

[1:06:31] » Yes, I know. I'm sorry, but we're we're not done with uh item uh six. And I I

[1:06:40] think your presentation is going to take a longer than what they will I believe.

[1:06:46] So I was just trying to go through some quick ones. And I am sorry. I know

[1:06:50] you're waiting.

[1:06:57] » Yeah. The bills. >> Okay.

[1:07:02] » If you want, I could do public safety. I mean, it's a 14-minute meeting with one

[1:07:05] agenda item. >> Go ahead. That would be great.

[1:07:08] » Okay. Okay, I got to find it. But >> so we are, if anyone's following us, I

[1:07:14] apologize for the jumping around. We're on 9E. [clears throat]

[1:07:20] All right, there's high. Ah, public safety.

[1:07:25] Okay, the public safety committee of the Pi County Board met on Wednesday, August

[1:07:29] 19th, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Pi County Ambulance Building. And those present

[1:07:33] were Andy Barman, Jim Shepard. I misspelled my own name. Board chairman

[1:07:37] Rita Hoskin and several [clears throat] ambulance employees.

[1:07:41] Also present was Dryen Craven, probation department administrator. Due to the

[1:07:45] internet being down at the ambulance building all day, we were unable to

[1:07:48] review reports and bills. The internet issues apparently on in Cascom's end.

[1:07:54] Dryen appeared to request transfer of $50,000 from the opioid fund to the drug

[1:07:59] court fund. The use of the money for drug court will fall under the pre

[1:08:02] parameters of the opioid settlement. Questions were asked as to what the

[1:08:06] current balance of the fund is and how long it will be of receiving settlement

[1:08:09] monies. Andy bar amendation mo motion to approve the transfer and Jim Shepard

[1:08:13] seconded. Motion carried. In a follow-up to those questions asked during the

[1:08:17] meeting, an email was sent to Walker Filbert asking those questions. Walker

[1:08:21] reached out to the treasur's office and was told that the balance as of

[1:08:24] yesterday that would have been uh uh $819

[1:08:29] was $85,5924

[1:08:33] but had not been reconciled since June 30th. He checked the emails he receives

[1:08:37] from the state when deposits are made and determined that an additional

[1:08:40] $14,72189

[1:08:43] had been deposited to the fund giving it a balance of $100,231.13.

[1:08:48] There were no public comments and barman made a motion to adjurnn and Jim Shepard

[1:08:52] seconded. Motion carried meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

[1:08:56] » Thank you. Do I have a motion to approve the public safety minutes?

[1:09:01] Derek second.

[1:09:05] Don any discussion? All in favor? I

[1:09:10] » I. >> Motion approved. Uh let's finish uh

[1:09:15] nine. One question, one thing we uh we did get

[1:09:18] the bills for the ambulance and would like to get those approved tonight.

[1:09:24] » Yeah, I've got them on the agenda under item 14.

[1:09:27] » Oh, my my bad. I'm sorry. >> No, that's okay.

[1:09:30] » Didn't see that far down there. >> That's all right. You're right. We got

[1:09:33] to do that. Um, on number one under 9E, as Jim talked about in the minutes, uh,

[1:09:42] we'd like to transfer 50,000 from the opioid settlement fund to the drug

[1:09:46] court. Do I have a motion? Tom, >> I will second.

[1:09:51] » Second by Jim. Okay. Any discussion?

[1:09:57] All in favor? I. >> I.

[1:09:59] » Any oppose? Nay. Okay. Motion carries.

[1:10:04] Okay, back on agenda item six and 6A. Uh, Walker, are we ready to go

[1:10:11] into close session? >> Uh, if you're ready.

[1:10:15] » All right. I do I have a motion, Tom. Second by Don. And just for the

[1:10:22] record, this is uh prior to possible action on the solar panels uh farm.

[1:10:28] There will be a close session to discuss potential legal action regarding this

[1:10:32] matter. per five ILCS120/2 C11 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act

[1:10:40] pending probable or im imminent legislation.

[1:10:44] » Litigation. >> Litigation. Yes. Thank you. Not

[1:10:47] legislation. Litigation. >> Uh all in favor? I

[1:10:52] » I. >> Any oppose? Nay.

[1:10:54] » Okay. We will once again be in close session for a while. And Greg, you're

[1:10:58] going to join us.

[1:11:27] Uhhuh. Okay.

[1:13:08] » [snorts]

[1:14:02] [snorts]

[1:14:07] » is

[1:14:22] all

[1:14:34] glorious.

[1:15:49] This

[1:16:50] Yes.

[1:17:00] Cheers.

[1:17:36] All right.

[1:17:54] Okay.

[1:18:21] There we go.

[1:19:18] Holy

[1:19:25] congratulations.

[1:20:46] All

[1:20:59] right.

[1:21:51] » [sighs]

[1:23:30] » Let's

[1:23:44] start.

[1:24:06] Cheers. Cheers.

[1:24:25] » [snorts]

[1:26:00] » You're still

[1:26:27] Do I have a motion to return to open session?

[1:26:31] Tom made that motion. >> That motion.

[1:26:35] » I think we need one in open session, I believe.

[1:26:39] » I'll make it. >> Okay. So,

[1:26:41] » Tom, second by Derek. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

[1:26:46] » I. >> Any oppose? Nay.

[1:26:49] » And motion carries. Um at this point the board's decision

[1:26:55] that it took in July uh is still in place

[1:27:01] but um given the willingness to uh for the

[1:27:08] project representatives and the the neighbors to uh have some more

[1:27:14] discussion and try and come to some understandings. Uh the board is going to

[1:27:18] table this for now until our September meeting which is the 28th

[1:27:25] and uh so there won't be any other action on this uh this evening. We'll

[1:27:32] table it until the September regular board meeting and I I believe our

[1:27:37] attorneys will be in touch with each other in the the meantime.

[1:27:43] Um, is is there any other statement though that any of the representatives

[1:27:48] here tonight would want to make before we leave this topic?

[1:27:53] » I just want to say thank you for your time. We appreciate it.

[1:27:56] » Thank you all for coming in. We we appreciate that.

[1:28:01] Okay, now we will get to item seven. We have

[1:28:05] uh staff here from Two Rivers Regional Council who are here to present on um

[1:28:15] items that they might be able to help the county with. Um I do have some

[1:28:20] materials here that were left with me before if

[1:28:26] » Yeah, I brought some extra work. >> We got extra food for you. We have

[1:28:29] duplicates here. >> I think we inundated you with stuff. We

[1:28:32] got a couple trees that have been down already. So you guys can go to your

[1:28:36] friends. How you doing, sir? >> Really good.

[1:28:39] » Would you then introduce yourselves? Certainly. Use the mic if you would and

[1:28:43] and proceed. >> Yep. My name is Chad Frederick. I am the

[1:28:47] uh community development well community and economic development director at Two

[1:28:50] Rivers Regional Council. >> My name is Drew Van Heck. I am the

[1:28:53] community action director at Two Rivers. And so earlier this year, just to give

[1:28:59] the real basic uh nuts and bolts of this, earlier this year, we realized, it

[1:29:02] became blatantly obvious while doing Two Rivers uh board meeting that we needed

[1:29:08] to get out, get to each of the four counties and kind of give a basic

[1:29:12] overview of what we can do, what we do do, what what what is even possible.

[1:29:17] because honestly we kind of figured out after talking to the different people on

[1:29:21] the board that a lot of things are just not known by the counties as to what

[1:29:25] True Rivers can do for you. And so we kind of went ahead and did like a one

[1:29:29] page uh for the community development for me, one page for community action

[1:29:33] for uh Drew and then kind of did a uh by the numbers for each county. And so I'll

[1:29:38] just do a real basic synopsis of what you know the kind of the five points of

[1:29:42] what what uh community development can do for you for the county. We can bring

[1:29:46] funding into the region, support housing stability, connect residents to jobs and

[1:29:50] training. They going strengthen uh local e economies, and we help turn local

[1:29:54] ideas into real results. That last one is probably the one thing that I feel

[1:30:00] that has not been there. Um and it's not your fault. It's probably my fault. it

[1:30:06] or or at least um kind of falls on Two Rivers uh probably even before I I took

[1:30:12] the position is that we needed to focus on community and economic development.

[1:30:16] Now, we we used to have a SS for those of you who are not um sure what that is.

[1:30:20] It's a community economic development strategy. Um you'll you'll probably go

[1:30:24] out there and find that for many different um economic development

[1:30:28] districts, many different groups, some counties. We had one and then that fell

[1:30:33] along the wayside before I came into the uh role and then we have been struggling

[1:30:39] to get that done again. We are David Camp House uh who works with me. We are

[1:30:43] working on getting the u funding through the economic development administration

[1:30:47] to be able to complete this task. Now the task is a little bit big but it's

[1:30:54] not not even remotely something that we can't tackle. Um but we do ask for help

[1:30:59] from you guys. So the one thing that ends up happening is that we will reach

[1:31:02] out to uh anybody and anybody can reach out to us in Pi County to kind of give

[1:31:07] us your for lack of a better way of saying it your 1 to 10 of what's the

[1:31:12] most important thing what what you need funding for what are your you know the

[1:31:16] the dream list in some ways or the absolute need list uh for for community

[1:31:21] and economic development for the county. So then what I can do is then I take

[1:31:24] those and those go into that economic development strategy that and then once

[1:31:29] we get the funding from the EDA from economic development administration

[1:31:33] those projects are automatically fathered grandfathered into what the EDA

[1:31:37] looks at. So if it's in the SDS then it's way more likely to get funded. So,

[1:31:43] that's one of the things that I'm going to be working on and David and I will be

[1:31:46] working on over the next six to nine months hopefully getting that done

[1:31:50] because that's one nice offshoot of funding that we do have. Now, there's

[1:31:54] obviously other entities. There's DCO, there's IDA, there's USDA, there's lots

[1:31:59] of different places that I can go. So, the one thing that I told the other

[1:32:03] counties and that I'll tell you guys, the main thing is is that if you have an

[1:32:07] idea, you have something that needs to be looked at. Whether or not you have

[1:32:11] any idea whether there's any funding out there or not, let me do that. Give me

[1:32:15] the idea. Email it to me. Um, I left lots of cards here. Um, Derek has my

[1:32:20] information as well. Just give me a quick heads up of a basic narrative of

[1:32:25] what you're thinking about or what Pike County needs and I will do the homework.

[1:32:29] I will do the the leg work to go find out what grants are out there, whether

[1:32:33] or not they're going to fit, whether or not we are, you know, and and we as in

[1:32:37] Pike County and Two Rivers are a good fit for it. Um cuz sometimes they need

[1:32:41] matching money, sometimes they don't. Sometimes it's it's it would be the

[1:32:45] project wouldn't have enough readiness to be able to be this round, but maybe

[1:32:48] it would be something that could be looked at next round. So then that would

[1:32:50] give us some time to be able to kind of get our ducks in a row first. Um, I've

[1:32:55] been able to find out, you know, I I was there's money available for the

[1:32:59] coroner's office in Adams County that they never dreamt would be available.

[1:33:02] There's money everywhere. You just got to find it. Um, and so that's kind of

[1:33:06] where I become that liaison, that bridge, is that if there's something

[1:33:11] that Pike County needs, let's talk about it and figure out where I can find a

[1:33:15] stream of of grant money um to help. Uh it we have a kind of on the on the page

[1:33:23] here there's a little bit of a breakdown obviously of what community and economic

[1:33:26] development is without going into great detail here. We we do offer housing

[1:33:29] support in certain situations. Workforce development is a big one. Uh David does

[1:33:33] that um and he's great at it. We we have a large portion of of what we um have

[1:33:39] going on in this in this county is workforce development. And then uh even

[1:33:43] bigger is obviously Drew which he'll be talking to you in a little bit about

[1:33:46] that second page. Now, let's just jump to the third page, the Pike County by

[1:33:49] the numbers, because I think this is is telling, and it's not a negative or

[1:33:54] positive telling. I think it's just really important to see where your, you

[1:33:57] know, your money goes. Um, there's a couple of big points I want to go with

[1:34:01] here. You can see a community development. There's the breakdown of

[1:34:04] where SNAP is, TANF, WEOA, which is the workforce development. And then with

[1:34:08] when you go down in the Drews Drews area, you can see some bigger money

[1:34:11] obviously on the different things whether it be the rehab projects or

[1:34:14] whether it be lie heap uh food pantry all those things are kind of outlined

[1:34:18] there. Now that's fiscal year. So that's literally July to July. That was one

[1:34:22] year right here. And the main thing to look at there is that the do the dues

[1:34:25] even though 10,524 in some ways looks like it's a lot some ways it looks like

[1:34:29] it's not a lot. The main thing is is you got 3/4 of a million almost coming back

[1:34:32] in to the community. The one thing I really want to focus on there is is that

[1:34:37] I think that's just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, that's coming into the

[1:34:41] community and we're doing we've done almost no community development as far

[1:34:45] as economic development goes, as far as projects that could be helping your

[1:34:48] public infrastructure, helping buildings, helping whatever cases,

[1:34:52] whatever you might be needing help with, fire departments. I mean, it it's a huge

[1:34:56] gamut like we can run and that money can be coming in too. Not even we are we we

[1:35:02] have so much more that we can do. Um and and I think that that would be where we

[1:35:08] want to take the next step is we want to have kind of that get the comprehensive

[1:35:12] economic development strategy set. Let's get something on paper as to what are

[1:35:17] all the projects that Pike County is number one really needing would like to

[1:35:21] see happen all the way down to things that you know hey it's a it's a pipe

[1:35:26] dream maybe but maybe it's not. all those things. We get that listed, we

[1:35:30] make that list, we get it into that compreh comprehensive economic

[1:35:33] development strategy and then we number one obviously have a list of things that

[1:35:36] we can go looking for funding sources for. But number two, we get those into

[1:35:41] what the economic development administration has and then they would

[1:35:44] see, okay, well, Pike County is wanting to apply for this money from the EDA.

[1:35:48] Oh, let's look. Okay, it's right here. It's number two on their priority list.

[1:35:52] So, that's something that we probably should fund. And so that that that's

[1:35:55] that's how they look at it, which that's how we're going to look at it and get it

[1:36:01] hopefully ironed out. That my hope and goal based upon after talking to EDA and

[1:36:05] talking to kind of getting it done is that we would by by this time next year

[1:36:08] we have that said fully operational. It's fully ready to go and everything is

[1:36:11] good. Um the good news is is that while we're getting that ready, nothing is bad

[1:36:16] that that we talk and get a list of things going because that's only going

[1:36:19] to help us find maybe money from other entities to be able to help you guys

[1:36:22] too. So, that's pretty much my side. Um, like

[1:36:27] I said, we have cards here. I have my cards here. Anything that you come up

[1:36:31] with tomorrow, week later, whatever the case may be, just email me and say,

[1:36:35] "Hey, I heard you talk the other night. What would this be like? How would this

[1:36:39] be a possible project?" Because I'll I'll be able to find out pretty easily.

[1:36:43] And I have pretty good go-to people at every one of the organizations and slash

[1:36:47] entities that I we do funding with. So I can usually get a good read as to

[1:36:51] whether a project is a good fit and if it's not a good fit, what things are not

[1:36:55] a good fit and then we can kind of try to figure out if we can circumn that and

[1:36:58] and and find a fix. So I'll pass it over to Drew. All right. Thank you, sir.

[1:37:04] Yeah. For community action programs, they're already established per se.

[1:37:07] There is a grant process, but it's not like we're looking for new grants. We're

[1:37:11] trying to add on to them. They're programs that are already established.

[1:37:14] Um, so I'm here just to kind of give an overview of those programs. If anybody

[1:37:17] has any questions when I'm done, let me know. And like Chad mentioned, we have

[1:37:20] our cards here, too, for you guys. For weatherization, we're essentially just

[1:37:23] trying to make the homes more energy efficient.

[1:37:27] Um, for people to be eligible, there's numerous ways, but the biggest priority

[1:37:31] for a person to be eligible is based on their income.

[1:37:34] Um, and ways we can make the homes more energy efficient is through HVAC

[1:37:38] upgrades, insulation, and other measures we can do to make the homes more energy

[1:37:42] efficient. uh for CSBG, the community service block grant. We, as most you

[1:37:48] probably know in this room, we have a food pantry here in the Reach Out thrift

[1:37:51] store. So, those are a few of the things that we can offer, you know, and not

[1:37:55] just here in this county, other counties, too. Um but potentially we can

[1:37:58] help out with vehicle repairs, rental assistance, school supplies, and

[1:38:02] scholarships. The crew had an amazing

[1:38:08] um uh school supply handout recently where

[1:38:13] they're giving out to those who are less you know un unfortunate and able to help

[1:38:17] out you know families in need with some school supplies that help out where

[1:38:22] where we could with two river to those families and lie is basically to sum it

[1:38:27] up is utility assistance for those who are income eligible for that too. So,

[1:38:32] like I said, mine are more established. You know, not we're not searching for

[1:38:36] new grains for our programs, but if anybody has any questions on what we

[1:38:39] currently offer. Um, more than willing to take those questions now or you can

[1:38:42] reach out to us anytime. I did have one other thing I would have

[1:38:47] mentioned too. Um, I kind of forgot because it wasn't on the hand. Uh, long

[1:38:51] story short, we do have a revolving loan fund program that's a little different

[1:38:56] than a lot of the ones that you'll run into. we were deferralized, so we

[1:38:59] actually were able to go through the process of getting it defederalized to

[1:39:02] where we are fully in charge of it. So the EDA doesn't run it anymore, so we

[1:39:07] can have much better competitive rates. Um, we beat the bank rates often. We and

[1:39:13] and it's been beneficial thus far. We do not have anybody from Pike County.

[1:39:17] That's why I definitely want to mention it because we're trying to at least

[1:39:20] diversify that whole 4ount thing. And if there are any businesses in Pike County,

[1:39:24] in Pittsfield or wherever that is are are looking to do something, whether it

[1:39:30] just fix the place, grow, do something, or even even a startup, please have them

[1:39:36] get a hold of me. Again, email me. Um, then we go through the basic process of

[1:39:40] an application for the revolving revolving loan fund. Um, it's we it's a

[1:39:45] max of 250,000. We we're usually looking for in the 50 to 75 range just because

[1:39:50] that way we can keep the amount that we have and get as many businesses helped

[1:39:54] as we can, but we definitely would love to see somebody a business from Pike

[1:39:57] County. That way we can help help this county as well. So if that if that is

[1:40:00] anything, if you know any of anyone know of any business owners that are looking

[1:40:04] to do something, uh please have them get a hold of us because even though it is a

[1:40:07] loan, obviously not a grant, it's it we can keep it pretty competitive.

[1:40:14] Does anyone have any questions? Or if you don't, then you can always, like I

[1:40:18] said, please, please reach out to us anytime that you want to.

[1:40:22] » Chad, the only thing I would bring up is uh and we've talked about this over the

[1:40:26] last year or two, um is our situation with our audits and the [clears throat]

[1:40:30] do not pay list, >> right?

[1:40:32] » And so >> there will be times that you'll run into

[1:40:35] a problem with that. There will be I do know for a fact though that there had

[1:40:38] there I talked to a couple of people. I talked to one person at DCO and I talked

[1:40:41] to one person at USDA and sometimes those can that can be circumnavigated

[1:40:44] depending on what the situation is because if you're going through TRC and

[1:40:47] we are actually going to administer it sometimes that helps not always but

[1:40:53] because there have been certain situations where even if we're the one

[1:40:55] even if we're the administrating agent they still say no because of the do

[1:40:59] because of that. Now I have talked to um IDA is the same thing. So I don't mean

[1:41:02] that doesn't really help a lot because IDA doesn't necessarily have projects

[1:41:05] that we're we're talking about for this. But I do know that USDA when I talked to

[1:41:09] them they said that if we were the administrating agent then they would

[1:41:12] probably wave that in most projects unless we're talking like you know

[1:41:16] multi-million dollar projects. >> Okay.

[1:41:18] » So I know it can be battled. I it could end up being a headache. It could not

[1:41:23] be. That's again another thing why I think if give me everything you got and

[1:41:26] I'll see what I can find. So, so your best suggestion would be try

[1:41:31] and get our department heads together and say, "What is it that you do for

[1:41:34] your department?" >> I mean, it's honestly that's about the

[1:41:37] best thing to do. Um, Brown County did a decent job of doing it that way for me.

[1:41:41] Uh, that's Derek, you just pretty much hit the nail on the head of how they did

[1:41:44] it. They basically just said, "Highway department, tell them what you need."

[1:41:47] You know, everybody tell everybody what they need, make a list, and send it and

[1:41:50] they send it to me. Well, I I know a big project we've always talked about is

[1:41:54] trying to get everything electronic >> and [clears throat] we've got so much

[1:41:58] paper and everything that needs to be scanned and I think all the offices have

[1:42:01] that problem where if there's a way to consolidate to where we maybe do one

[1:42:06] grant that they come in and just do each office at a time thing,

[1:42:11] » but that's up of course to the elected official on how they want to do it. that

[1:42:16] I >> this is what I've been trying to do is

[1:42:18] try and find other outside sources that may be able to accomplish what we need

[1:42:22] done here, [clears throat] >> but we don't have to fund it.

[1:42:25] » Right. Exactly. >> That's what I figure that we're getting

[1:42:27] with our $10,000 a year for [clears throat] what we pay to be part

[1:42:30] of. >> Exactly. I mean, if and it it seems it

[1:42:34] sounds simplistic. I know it's not, but like it really is as simple as you just

[1:42:37] give me your laundry list and then let me do my work to seeing what I can find.

[1:42:41] » I've had some good luck. I've had not some good luck. just depends um on the

[1:42:45] project itself, but usually there's something out there somewhere.

[1:42:51] [snorts]

[1:42:54] » Well, if there's nothing else, thank you for your time. I really appreciate it.

[1:42:56] » Thank you, everyone. Mr. Barlin, >> yes, sir.

[1:43:01] » Thank you both for coming down. I'm sorry about your wait. We appreciate

[1:43:05] that. >> No problem. You guys have a great night,

[1:43:07] too. Thanks.

[1:43:10] » Yeah, I can be gone. There you go.

[1:43:17] » All right. Here we got

[1:43:20] » hard for somebody back here. >> Yeah,

[1:43:24] » we did uh item eight previously, so we're back to item nine, committee

[1:43:29] reports. Derek, finance.

[1:43:34] » Thank you, Madam Chair. The

[1:43:40] Pike County Finance Committee was called to order at 6 PM on August 18th, 2026.

[1:43:44] At the Pike County Government Building, committee members Derek Ross, Don

[1:43:48] Foster, Lance Kendrick were present. Rita Hoskins, Katherine Rafferty, uh

[1:43:52] Mike Burbridge, Scott Circle, Walker Filbert, Judge McCartney, and others

[1:43:56] were also present. Under public comments, Mike Burbridge raised public

[1:43:59] concerns regarding broad budget line items and whether expenses such as

[1:44:04] travel should be uh paid from general categories such as supplies. The status

[1:44:10] of the county's financial policies and procedures uh were also questioned. Uh

[1:44:14] also under public comments was the committee discussed prior efforts to

[1:44:18] separate election personnel raises, bonuses, mileage, and other expenses

[1:44:21] into more specific lines. Ma members stated that uh greater detail would

[1:44:26] improve public accountability while also recognizing that departments need

[1:44:30] reasonable flexibility and should not be micromanaged over those small line item

[1:44:34] variances. Under an unemployment claim, uh unemployment claim involving a

[1:44:39] probation employee resulted in an award approximately of $10,314.

[1:44:44] The committee discussed earlier efforts to contest the claim, an administrative

[1:44:48] hearing for which county representatives stated they were unavailable but did not

[1:44:52] receive the expected call and later correspondents uh indicating that the

[1:44:56] county had not participated in the hearing. The county previously carried a

[1:45:00] separate unemployment insurance uh policy costing roughly $25,000 a year.

[1:45:05] After reviewing roughly three years of experience showing approximately 75,000

[1:45:10] in premiums compared to only a small amount of claims, the county

[1:45:14] discontinued the policy and instead budget approximately 25,000 in the tor

[1:45:18] immunity fund for the unemployment expenses. Lance Kendrick made a motion,

[1:45:22] Don Foster seconded, to pay the $10,314 unemployment claim from the unemployment

[1:45:28] line in the torn immunity fund while uh additional review uh was proceed or

[1:45:33] pursued. The motion passed. Court public defender and courthouse funding. The

[1:45:38] committee was advised that approximately 97,000 of the public defender grant

[1:45:42] funding was expected near the end of August. It was stated that this may be

[1:45:46] the final grant of that type as the state moves toward a statewide public

[1:45:50] defender office. Court related expenses including code hearings and certain

[1:45:55] courthouse needs may be uh may continue to be supported through the available

[1:46:00] court funds and grants when eligible. Preliminary work has begun to evaluate

[1:46:05] possible courthouse energy efficiency improvements, including heating,

[1:46:08] cooling, windows, and related capital needs. Cost estimates and grant

[1:46:12] opportunities are being explored before any project is presented for approval.

[1:46:17] The committee also discussed the code hearing costs. The judge indicated that

[1:46:20] the court funds would continue to cover those costs when available because code

[1:46:25] enforcement prevents some matters from entering the regular court system. Under

[1:46:30] the 252627 budget discussion, the committee stated

[1:46:33] that the county was uh short for the 2025 fiscal year and that the final

[1:46:38] amount will ultimately be confirmed through an audit. Current fiscal year

[1:46:42] 2026 analysis was limited because of uh complete July payroll information had

[1:46:47] not yet been entered into CIC. The committee stated that the payroll is the

[1:46:51] county's largest expense and that the reports without current payroll

[1:46:55] information are limited value for monitoring spending and preparing the

[1:46:59] next budget. In discussing the fiscal year 2026 budget, it was noted that the

[1:47:03] adopted budget included approximately 900,000 in CDs and other one-time cash

[1:47:10] resources along with money budgeted for audit expenses. Those resources helped

[1:47:14] for the fiscal year 2026 budget appear roughly balanced on a cash basis, but

[1:47:19] the committee distinguished that one line one-time sources for recurring

[1:47:23] operating revenue. Initial fiscal year 2027 departmental requests resulted in

[1:47:29] an estimated general fund deficit of approximately $572,426.

[1:47:35] The committee emphasized that the figures represented departmental

[1:47:38] requests or wish lists, not final approval appropriate, not final approved

[1:47:43] appropriations. Personnel and benefits were identified as the largest general

[1:47:47] fund expenses as an area that could not be avoided when considering reductions

[1:47:52] of the size. Board members were expected to receive a working budget spreadsheet

[1:47:56] that allows each member to enter proposed reductions and see the def

[1:48:00] effect of the deficit. Mileage reimbursement was discussed as one

[1:48:04] possible area of savings. No decision was made to eliminate mileage. Required

[1:48:08] travel mandated tra training, contractual obligations, employee

[1:48:12] duties, and departmental needs were discussed as factors that may be

[1:48:15] distinguished from discretionary travel. Grant funded expenditures were also

[1:48:19] discussed. The committee expressed a preference for adding grant revenue and

[1:48:23] corresponding expenses through budget amendments when grants are actually

[1:48:27] awarded rather than including uncertain grant-f funed expenses in the original

[1:48:31] budgets. This was discussed as a way to avoid overstating departmental spending

[1:48:36] needs when a future grant may cover the cost. County chairman stated that the

[1:48:40] full board would first receive the budget worksheet, provide feedback

[1:48:44] rather than immediately scheduling numerous scheduled budget meetings. It

[1:48:47] was noticed that or noted that prior budget work sessions had shifted between

[1:48:52] small groups and full board meetings without producing sufficient alternative

[1:48:56] proposals while each additional meeting creates mileage and predium cost.

[1:49:01] Department heads who want to discuss a request may still meet with the board

[1:49:05] members but the committee stated that the principal decisions regarding

[1:49:08] reductions must ultimately be made by the county board rather than negotiated

[1:49:13] only by the finance committee. The committee also discussed whether

[1:49:17] departments should submit only expenses they reasonably expect the county to

[1:49:21] fund rather than including items that may later be covered by grants. Members

[1:49:26] noted that uh appropriating an expense gives the department authority to spend

[1:49:30] the money even if the anticipated grant does not materialize making conservative

[1:49:35] budgeting important when cash reserves are limited.

[1:49:41] CIC pay common payroll reporting. A lengthy and at times contentious uh

[1:49:45] discussion occurred regarding the responsibility for entering payroll

[1:49:48] information into CIC and the continued absence of complete July payroll

[1:49:52] information from the county's financial reports. Committee members stated that

[1:49:56] the lack of current payroll data was impairing their ability to monitor the

[1:50:00] fiscal year 2026 expenditures develop the 2027 budget. It was also noted that

[1:50:05] earlier communications had indicated that on July 5th and July 10th payrolls

[1:50:10] would be entered backtoback but the July information was not available in CIC

[1:50:15] when month reports were being reviewed. Committee members uh emphasized that the

[1:50:19] board needs payroll information in a usable financial format tied to

[1:50:23] appropriations and line items. The committee requested whether the county

[1:50:27] clerk was statutory uh has a statutory responsibility to maintain appropriate

[1:50:31] level of counting records and cited 55LCS

[1:50:35] 5/6-10006

[1:50:38] during the discussion. The state's attorney stated that he had previously

[1:50:43] provided written guidance regarding the respective responsibilities of the

[1:50:46] county clerk and treasurer and proposed meetings including the use of neutral

[1:50:50] participant of a neutral participant to resolve the paycom CIC issue. He also

[1:50:55] stated that he had recommended bringing the offices together with auditors

[1:50:58] financial consultants to settle the process. No final resolution was reached

[1:51:03] during regarding uh responsibility for the payroll entries. The possibility of

[1:51:07] replacing CIC was discussed, but uh concern was expressed about another

[1:51:11] major software change while the county remains behind the prior year audits and

[1:51:15] still reconciling existing systems. Committee members responded that the

[1:51:20] issue was not whether payroll totals were accurate, but whether the board

[1:51:24] could obtain current expense information mapped to the appropriations and line

[1:51:28] items it is legally responsible for adopting and monitoring. The committee

[1:51:32] stated that without that mapping, it could not reliably project departmental

[1:51:36] spending or compare actual payroll costs with the budget. Uh county clerk budget

[1:51:40] amendment, the fiscal year 2026 amendment was discussed to move $89,223

[1:51:46] from the county clerk's election line to the personnel line. The amendment would

[1:51:51] reduce the election salary expense line and increase the office personnel line

[1:51:56] while leaving the county clerk's total appropriation unchanged at $400,530.

[1:52:02] Under insurance, the committee reviewed information concerning the dental

[1:52:06] insurance renewal. Dental rates increased slightly while vision coverage

[1:52:09] remained unchanged. The county currently contributes a flat $25 per month toward

[1:52:14] applicable employee coverage in addition to life insurance cost. The Hope Trust

[1:52:18] renewal information was expected later with open enrollment generally occurring

[1:52:22] in the fall. Different Hope Trust plan options that would potentially reduce

[1:52:27] costs were discussed and it was noted that those alternatives could be

[1:52:30] reviewed without necessarily changing the county's insurance provider treasur

[1:52:35] and revenue. The general fund balance was reported at approximately $263,327.

[1:52:42] approximately 685,000 remained outstanding on the general fund

[1:52:46] anticipation note and retirement IRF borrowing was approximately 130,000. The

[1:52:51] first property tax distribution is expected in early September with much of

[1:52:56] it to be used to repay the anticipation borrowing. The committee was advised of

[1:53:01] reports that use tax revenue may decline.

[1:53:06] The committee was advised of reports that use tax revenue may decline

[1:53:09] substantially. Possible reductions in replacement tax revenue were also

[1:53:13] discussed as uh potential issues affecting the fiscal year 2027. The

[1:53:18] treasur indicated additional state information would be reviewed and

[1:53:22] provided for budgeting. County fee levels were discussed, including whether

[1:53:26] certain fees uh that have remained unchanged for many years should be

[1:53:29] reviewed. The committee discussed the possibility of an internal fee studies

[1:53:33] were permitted and whether outside consultants are necessary for that

[1:53:37] particular offices or for particular offices. The committee discussed

[1:53:41] sheriff, circuit clerk, and other feebased revenues as inherently

[1:53:44] difficult to predict because collections depend on enforcement activity, cases,

[1:53:49] contracts, and other factors outside the county's control. members stated that

[1:53:53] recurring expenditures should not be supported by optimistic revenue

[1:53:56] assumptions that may not occur under old and new business. The first property tax

[1:54:01] distributions were uh expected during the first half of September. The

[1:54:06] committee discussed the timing of the distributions to the county and other

[1:54:09] taxing bodies as well as repayment of anticipation borrowing. Additional

[1:54:13] discussion occurred regarding required employee and elected official travel

[1:54:17] training expenses, department budgets, and the need to distinguish essential

[1:54:22] expenses from discretionary expenses as the fiscal year 2027 budget is

[1:54:27] developed. Near the end of the meeting, the earlier mileage discussion was

[1:54:31] revisited. County officials noted that some conferences training are required

[1:54:35] by statute, the courts, and employment duties. The committee clarified that no

[1:54:40] blanket elimination had been adopted and that required travel must be considered

[1:54:44] differently for discretionary travel from discretionary travel. The health

[1:54:49] department also asked whether mileage for nurses traveling between patients

[1:54:52] was part of the discussion. It was clarified that the health department

[1:54:56] budget is governed by its own board and the mileage required as part of that

[1:55:00] employees worker employment arrangement would be uh treated in accordance with

[1:55:04] those obligations. The broader budget point was that the county may have to

[1:55:08] establish lower total appropriations for departments and allow department heads

[1:55:13] to determine how best to use those limited funds rather than assuming every

[1:55:18] historical expense can continue at the same level. Under review and approval of

[1:55:23] monthly bills, Don Foster made a motion was seconded by Lance Kendrick to

[1:55:26] approve and pay bills in the amount of 89,6826.

[1:55:30] The motion passed by voice vote uh German. Lance Kendrick made a motion. It

[1:55:35] was seconded by Don Foster to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting

[1:55:38] adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

[1:55:43] » Do I have a motion to approve the finance minutes?

[1:55:48] » Derek second, Tom. Any discussion?

[1:55:54] All in favor? I >> Hold on.

[1:55:56] » Oh, sorry, Jim. >> Sorry, was still moving. I have

[1:55:58] questions. Um, starting off with one you may not have the answer to. The judge

[1:56:02] alludes that probation or excuse me probation that public defender will be

[1:56:06] rolled into a state office. Were there any details on that? I mean are they

[1:56:10] going to become state employees? And you may and you may not know honestly but it

[1:56:14] was I found it intriguing. >> Um I I don't know. And one of the more

[1:56:19] concerning points is I talked to Kelly Murray from the county board association

[1:56:23] and they're they're having a meeting on September I think 10th or 11th to where

[1:56:28] there are some counties that are under 30,000 population that may not get the

[1:56:33] funding from the state for the um public defender. So uh I've got to look into

[1:56:39] that too and make sure we're going to get the money from the state. But my

[1:56:42] understanding is the public defenders pay has been increased to 80 or 90% some

[1:56:48] something along the lines of the state attorney.

[1:56:50] » Yeah, it's got to be what 80% of the state's attorney salary I think now.

[1:56:54] » And then the state is supposed to be reimbursing

[1:56:57] part of that too, but I'm hearing that initially the state might may not have

[1:57:02] the funds to reimburse uh counties under 30,000. So I'm going to attend that

[1:57:07] meeting and find out what's more involved. Got some.

[1:57:11] » Oh, okay.

[1:57:15] [clears throat]

[1:57:20] » I don't want to speak for Mr. Zimmerman because he does a great job speaking for

[1:57:24] himself, but he he's going to meet with uh the board uh because he has it

[1:57:30] figured out and he's talked to the judge on on how um what needs to happen is

[1:57:36] that his position needs to become a full-time position and uh that is going

[1:57:44] that's there's going to be no issue on the funding. What Mr. Ross is referring

[1:57:48] to. There are all kinds of small counties out there who have no uh public

[1:57:54] defender position and they contract with private attorneys for doing that work

[1:58:00] and uh that's problematic uh in the way this formulation is going to fit. But uh

[1:58:07] Mr. Zimmerman's going to talk to you about that because just need to formally

[1:58:12] make it a full-time and then he is going to show you how with the transition it's

[1:58:17] actually going to save the county money based upon what is being spent on that

[1:58:22] function now. So that'll be forthcoming. >> Great. Thank you.

[1:58:27] » Um other minor thing I know you discussed per personal property

[1:58:31] replacement tax at the meeting. I had got an email, I assumed everybody got it

[1:58:35] on the 13th of August stating that uh IDR is going to increase the amount of

[1:58:40] personal property replacement tax to counties by 21.2% for next year or for

[1:58:46] this fiscal year, excuse me. So, it should be available on their website

[1:58:50] shortly. I I got on my phone and I didn't go in and look at it. Um, my

[1:58:56] third question, the budget process.

[1:59:01] I I I got to make sure I'm understanding things. You're going to send out a

[1:59:05] worksheet. I'm going to be able to look at different scenarios

[1:59:12] within that sheet. Now, I'm assuming it's it's a

[1:59:18] I guess my question is how do I stay in OMA compliance if I say I want to cut a

[1:59:24] deputy and see what that does and make and make that proposal

[1:59:29] if we're not if we're not meeting. How do I how do I stay compliant and not

[1:59:34] have somebody blow blow me up for for throwing this

[1:59:38] out there? >> Um

[1:59:41] » well, I think one Oh, oops. Well, what what I was going to say is

[1:59:45] that I have basically made the 2027 budget uh spreadsheet the same as I did

[1:59:50] 2026. And what I've done is I put in what uh

[1:59:55] CIC downloaded for 2025 as 2025s. I put in our 2026 uh budgeted amount. I have

[2:00:03] the estimated or year-to-ate numbers under the estimated 2026. And then what

[2:00:09] I did is I did a column called 2027 and I put in what all of the departments are

[2:00:14] asking for. >> And then what I've done is I've made

[2:00:17] another column that I'm calling board numbers. And that is where I'm going to

[2:00:21] allow or basically everybody's going to have their own spreadsheet. All board

[2:00:25] members have their own spreadsheet. And if they just want to copy paste over

[2:00:29] what the departments asked for, then you'll see that it ends up being the

[2:00:33] same deficit. But if you go in and say, "Well, I want to move um deputies A from

[2:00:39] 500,000 to 400,000. What does that look like in your column and what can you

[2:00:44] start changing in all your different departments? Well, I think I could lower

[2:00:48] this. I think I could lower that." And then go back up to look at where the

[2:00:52] deficit's at. So, the idea was I'm hoping that board members can play

[2:00:56] around with here's what the departments are asking for. each individual

[2:01:00] department or each individual board member could say, "Well, what if we

[2:01:02] tweak it to this or that, they'll come up with a number and then ideally

[2:01:06] somebody's going to come up with hopefully a balanced budget that says,

[2:01:10] "Hey, here's what we came up with." But instead of having one board member do it

[2:01:14] all, I wanted to have all board members input to look at it and say, "Here's

[2:01:18] what departments are asking for. I think I could trim it here, here, and here.

[2:01:22] Only give them this amount. And if I do that here, here, and here, then my

[2:01:27] deficit doesn't look like 500,000. Hopefully, it's closer to 50,000. So,

[2:01:31] that was the idea was to give you all the spreadsheets once I get uh the

[2:01:35] sheriff was still tweaking his numbers a little bit um because of what we just

[2:01:39] did here for the uh union get raise. But once I had those numbers, then everyone

[2:01:44] would have the spreadsheet. They could start playing around with it. We'll see

[2:01:49] how it works. I mean, we still have >> And you think as long as it's between

[2:01:54] like if you sent Jim the spreadsheet like you and I have been doing, as long

[2:02:00] as it's just between two of you, we're okay with the open meetings at.

[2:02:05] » Well, no. I'm I'm not sharing the spreadsheet. I'm just going to give

[2:02:10] everyone the spreadsheet and then they can put in their own information and

[2:02:14] then when we finally do get together to discuss things, they'll have had some

[2:02:18] time. And that's my and that's my qu my core question. When do I dis when do if

[2:02:23] I had to a proposal when do I disseminate it to the rest of the board

[2:02:26] and stay in compliance and provide some transparency to the public,

[2:02:29] » right? Um >> I I think it's probably just going to

[2:02:34] have to be an email uh to just send an email to myself or Rita, I would

[2:02:38] suppose, and then hey, Jim's come up with this. Why don't we set up a

[2:02:42] meeting? Um because ideally, and I think that's what Rita had suggested, we want

[2:02:47] to make sure that our budget meetings are productive. So if we've had the time

[2:02:51] to look at stuff, we can see what the departments were asking for. By the time

[2:02:54] we actually have that first budget meeting, if we've got two or three board

[2:02:59] members that say, "Hey, I came up with numbers. I came up with numbers." Then

[2:03:02] when we all get together, we should be able to look at those numbers and then

[2:03:06] say what one looks the best. >> Yeah. I I mean I think I can if I've got

[2:03:10] numbers I can send them to Rita and Rita can relay them to you and we're good,

[2:03:14] right? >> Yeah.

[2:03:15] » Okay. >> Yeah, that that that's like an all

[2:03:18] reply. >> Yeah. As long as I don't hit reply all

[2:03:20] with an emoji or something, >> right? And that's why I I'm I'm not

[2:03:23] doing a shared um spreadsheet right now, nor am I sending it to I mean each

[2:03:29] individual is going to have their own spreadsheet. They'll put their own

[2:03:32] numbers in and then we'll just all get together here and figure out what we can

[2:03:36] come up with. >> Yeah. And we can see about the timing,

[2:03:39] too. I um if Derek, you know, is able to get this

[2:03:44] out soon and and I would prefer he got things corrected with the sheriff's

[2:03:50] department because it came out at finance that it appeared we were uh

[2:03:57] double counting some revenue uh when we were talking when Scott was

[2:04:01] giving his treasures report and pointed out a couple things. So, I would like to

[2:04:06] get that issue resolved before um people start uh adjusting things.

[2:04:12] But if so, once we get that out and you guys have a chance to look at it and

[2:04:19] have some ideas, I'm fine if we do need to call a special meeting. I think the

[2:04:25] mistake last year was someone suggested to me we need to get a small group

[2:04:30] together and have a series of meetings and then someone said that wasn't

[2:04:34] working. We need to get the full board together and have a series of meetings

[2:04:38] and we just kept meeting and I don't think it was very productive. So, I'd

[2:04:43] like I'm perfectly fine with scheduling a special meeting, but I'd like to do it

[2:04:50] when we know we've got something to discuss. And to the extent we can, I'd

[2:04:56] like to use the finance meeting and the regular board meeting. Um I'm hoping

[2:05:01] that we'll we'll get to the point ma you know in the next couple of months where

[2:05:06] we don't have uh you know some of these major agenda items where we can just

[2:05:13] devote a good chunk of the board time to discussing the budget because I think

[2:05:18] that's the best place where the public will see it rather than having some

[2:05:22] special meeting in a you know an odd time. I I would like to propose at some

[2:05:28] point that that at that that it's almost 40% of the budget that we get the

[2:05:34] sheriff and the prospective sheriff and and go through that one line by line

[2:05:41] just because that's the that's the elephant in the room as far as as far as

[2:05:45] general fund goes. >> Can I address the statuto timelines just

[2:05:50] everyone? >> Sure.

[2:06:02] Yeah, looking at the calendar, it looks like um

[2:06:07] November 23rd, that's the Monday before Thanksgiving

[2:06:13] is going to be our last scheduled meeting. So uh using that date 15 days

[2:06:22] ahead of that which would be November 8th which unfortunately is a Sunday that

[2:06:28] is the drop dead day that you have to have the uh draft or proposed budget

[2:06:35] posted for the public. So the and that proposed budget has to be approved for

[2:06:45] posting at a public meeting. So that means that [clears throat]

[2:06:51] just working backwards, um,

[2:06:55] you know, sometime before November 8th, you're going to have to have a public

[2:07:01] meeting where the final proposed budget that's going to be posted for the public

[2:07:09] um, is finalized. Now, of course, once it's posted, uh, the board can make any

[2:07:16] change they want to make to it before final say on November 23rd. So, so

[2:07:24] that's kind of your drop dead day. So technically November 6 is your drop dead

[2:07:30] day that you have to have had a public meeting to finalize the proposed budget

[2:07:35] and it has to be posted on our website uh no later than November 8th.

[2:07:44] So, as to this idea, which is fine if that's the way you want to do it, of

[2:07:50] sending out a spreadsheet to the individual members,

[2:07:55] uh they are more than allowed to send back to whoever sent them that

[2:08:01] spreadsheet their proposed numbers. The only thing I would caution you is that

[2:08:07] there should be no discussion included as to how I got to that number. Uh you

[2:08:15] should only put in, you know, the number that that you're proposing.

[2:08:20] And then once all of that is done, then that's the time to have the meeting that

[2:08:27] Mr. Sheepard's talking about. And that should not be the meeting necessarily

[2:08:33] where you finalize the budget [clears throat] for posting

[2:08:37] uh because otherwise that could be a really long meeting.

[2:08:41] So [snorts] uh having said that, so sometime uh

[2:08:45] before November 6th, you're going to want to have that meeting where you kind

[2:08:51] of hash through everyone's proposal and and try to come up with something. and

[2:08:56] that then that gives you some breathing room to put it together for the proposal

[2:09:01] that needs to be posted. So hopefully all that makes sense

[2:09:07] and uh we'll just go from there.

[2:09:12] » Thanks, Walker.

[2:09:15] Jim, did you have more? >> I think that'll do for now. I that that

[2:09:20] was that was my big one was just a just a a little more clarification and that

[2:09:25] that helped. >> All right. Thanks.

[2:09:29] And obviously if anybody has any ideas now um just of items where you believe

[2:09:35] there's some increased revenue to

[2:09:40] that might happen or potential savings. Please

[2:09:45] uh get those up as well. Well, you bring you bring that up and uh I will go with

[2:09:52] my my standard pet peeve, the uh nurses contract and the sheriff's

[2:09:57] department. I know we can't budget for it, but that contract exceeds the

[2:10:01] $30,000 bid minimum. And I would publicly propose that instead of

[2:10:07] spending $9,000 a month for a guaranteed 10 hours a week of nursing contract, we

[2:10:11] put it out for bid and see what we can do to save us some money on that

[2:10:14] $108,000 expense. >> It hasn't it has been as high as 11.

[2:10:19] » It started out at 11 and 23 when when it was first signed at at cost us $131,000

[2:10:25] a month a year plus supplies was usually about 150. But that would be one

[2:10:38] Oh yeah, and the simple reminder that the county board has jurisdiction over

[2:10:41] contracts entered into within the county.

[2:10:54] » Thank you.

[2:10:58] Uh okay. So we are still under discussion

[2:11:03] of the minutes. Are is there other We have a motion on the table to approve

[2:11:08] them. Is there any other discussion there?

[2:11:13] If not. All in favor? I >> I.

[2:11:16] » Any oppose? Nay. Okay. Motion carries.

[2:11:21] » Um Derek, the

[2:11:26] county clerk's sure budget amendment. Um so the uh for the budget for the uh

[2:11:31] county clerk's office the next one. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Uh so this was uh discussed

[2:11:36] in finance originally in May. Uh it was discussed again um this past uh finance

[2:11:42] meeting. Um it was supposed to be taken care of last month but I forgot to bring

[2:11:46] the numbers. Uh again, what this is doing uh based off of the discussion

[2:11:52] that I had with the auditors that there are payroll expenses that are being paid

[2:11:58] out of the election line item within the county clerk's office and we are moving

[2:12:03] those amounts into the personnel line item of the county clerk's office out of

[2:12:08] payroll, but we are not adjusting the overall budget amount. So the dollar

[2:12:13] amounts are still the same. It's just more of a transparency

[2:12:17] uh situation to where we're putting the um payroll expenses in the payroll line

[2:12:23] item. So, uh, I had a motion here, uh, to recommend the approval of a transfer

[2:12:29] appropriation in the amount of 89,223

[2:12:34] within fund 001 008566,

[2:12:39] which is elections, salaries, and expenses to line 0010085503,

[2:12:46] which is office personnel for the purpose of correcting a line item

[2:12:51] classification error as identified. through audit review and in coordination

[2:12:55] with the county clerk to properly reflect eligible personnel expenses with

[2:13:00] no change to the appropriations of the total appropriations of the fund. This

[2:13:06] transfer is administrative in nature and does not change the purpose, eligibility

[2:13:10] or use of the funds but solely corrects the classification of the expenditures.

[2:13:16] So, I would ask for an I vote on passing

[2:13:21] that. >> Okay. So, Derek's making a motion. Do we

[2:13:26] have a second? Lance seconds. Any discussion?

[2:13:49] in uh looking at 55 ILCS 5/6-10003

[2:13:56] um says transfers of appropriations affecting personnel

[2:14:03] uh may be made at any meeting of the board by a twothirds vote. vote of all

[2:14:09] the members constituting such board. >> Uh it shall be taken by eyes's and nazs

[2:14:16] and entered on the record. Um so I understand it doesn't affect the

[2:14:21] bottom line, but you're transferring appropriations

[2:14:26] that is affecting a personnel line that was approved in the in the budget. So,

[2:14:35] uh, just reading this black letter law, you're going to need six votes

[2:14:40] to approve it. Now, I understand the reasonings for it, which makes all the

[2:14:44] sense in the world, but you're going to you're going to need six votes to make

[2:14:49] that change. >> 2/3 of the corner or two of the

[2:14:54] » two of the board. >> 2/3 of the board. That's what the

[2:14:57] statute says. by a twothirds vote of all the members

[2:15:03] constituting such board which would be nine members. Twothirds is six. So

[2:15:08] you're going to need six votes and it has to be by eyes and they so basically

[2:15:13] we'll call you know that's how I do it just for the record.

[2:15:18] » Okay. >> Any other discussion?

[2:15:24] Katherine, do you want to call the role?

[2:15:33] All right. >> Hi.

[2:15:35] » Hi.

[2:15:43] » Foster. >> Hi.

[2:15:47] » Ed Kendrick. >> Yes.

[2:15:50] Tom >> Lewis.

[2:15:51] » Hi.

[2:15:55] » Cross. >> Hi. Chip

[2:15:57] » Shepard. >> Hi.

[2:16:03] I vote. Should I vote even though it's not needed? It says of the

[2:16:10] » You got six. >> Yeah. All right.

[2:16:15] » So, the motion carries. Um

[2:16:21] item two and four. Uh maybe those two are kind of related at the moment. Is

[2:16:30] are is there more Derek there than what was in your minutes? No. The um fiscal

[2:16:34] year 2027 cost for the dental envision. We received the renewal uh and I'm

[2:16:40] recommending that we just go ahead and continue doing the $25 a month that

[2:16:45] we've been doing for years so far and that the employees pay the difference.

[2:16:50] Uh the vision didn't go up to the best of my knowledge and the and the dental

[2:16:55] went up a little bit. Um but I don't have those numbers. We didn't really

[2:17:00] have time to do an insurance meeting and there wasn't really going to be any

[2:17:03] discussion of going out for bid or anything on the dental. Um and we didn't

[2:17:08] have the 30-day notice. There's a lot of things we didn't do. But, uh, I guess

[2:17:12] what I'm looking for is a motion to continue the $25 a month torch dental

[2:17:19] and vision if the board's comfortable doing that right now. But it wasn't it's

[2:17:24] not here on the agenda. I should have put it as possible um action and I did

[2:17:29] not. So, I don't know if we can actually make you can

[2:17:34] » but Walker, if it's current policy, if we do

[2:17:38] nothing, it stays the same. Right. Right. Okay.

[2:17:41] » Okay. >> All right. Well,

[2:17:43] » and all the employees were notified of the

[2:17:48] » So then I I would say under our current policy, we will continue doing our $25 a

[2:17:53] month towards dental and vision coverage for those employees that elected and

[2:17:56] they will pay whatever the difference is and the clerk's office will work on

[2:18:01] those numbers to find out what those

[2:18:07] Okay. All righty. Um, then the number four

[2:18:12] with the Hope Trust updates. Uh, I actually just received those renewals

[2:18:15] this morning and I'm optimistic that there are some alternatives in there

[2:18:22] that are quite a bit uh more out of pocket, but the rates, surprisingly

[2:18:28] enough, are at or lower than what those same plans were last year. So, uh, those

[2:18:33] rates held if if not actually went down. uh we took a 13% increase on one of our

[2:18:38] plans and a 6% on the uh HSA plan. So that was um rather um nominal uh

[2:18:47] compared to the industry out there that uh there are some mid- teens to low 20s.

[2:18:52] So uh we we had a good year on our renewal. I believe Mr. Booth had passed

[2:18:57] along that our uh plan is running at about 101% based off us a pretty bad

[2:19:02] month here in July. But prior to that, we were, I think, in the mid 80s to low

[2:19:07] 90s. So, uh the the county definitely has had some years of claims. But this

[2:19:13] past uh year or two uh has has started going in the right direction, and it's

[2:19:18] very helpful that we can actually see those numbers now as they're being

[2:19:22] incurred, so we can kind of track and see. Um so, I I had hoped that we would

[2:19:27] get a decent renewal based off of what the claims have been, and it looks like

[2:19:31] they came through with that. So, what I planned on doing is getting what those

[2:19:36] alternate plans are. I actually sent that out. Uh, what the three alternate

[2:19:40] plans that were being suggested or looked at uh to the employees. Now, I

[2:19:46] have rates that can go along with them. Um, I haven't quite decided what I'll

[2:19:51] start putting those rates together and figure out what that looks like. Um, but

[2:19:56] and then we'll have to have a meeting. Well, I'll have to reach out to the

[2:19:59] insurance committees for the unions and we'll have to basically see what it that

[2:20:04] that those numbers are. Um, ideally, it would might be nice if I can come up

[2:20:08] with some type of a commitment on what the county is going to pay for benefits.

[2:20:14] Um, possibly before the next finance meeting, but definitely before the next

[2:20:18] board meeting, so we can then start figuring that into our budgeting. uh if

[2:20:23] I can know what we're doing for what we're going to pay towards uh what plans

[2:20:28] we choose, then that helps us figure out what we're going to have to spend on the

[2:20:32] uh insurance side out of the budget. So, >> and Hope Trust is asking for a very

[2:20:37] short turnaround, isn't that right? >> They are. They put on the the 14th of

[2:20:42] September. Um, and and I'm this this just goes back to

[2:20:48] me doing this for it's a January one plan and and we have to have a decision

[2:20:54] by the middle of September just is crazy to me. But um I and especially after we

[2:21:00] just had another discussion um I'm going to send an email out to see how many

[2:21:05] plans we can actually offer cuz ideally it would be nice if we could offer four,

[2:21:10] you know, two of the current or two current plans and then we could look at

[2:21:14] the two alternate plans, come up for a price for all four of them and then let

[2:21:18] the employee decide which one best fits their family needs. But I don't know. I

[2:21:24] mean, I'm pretty sure that health plan is basically made up. They programmed it

[2:21:30] themselves. So, it's not a Blue Cross or United Healthcare. So, it seems like

[2:21:33] they should be able to make the plan and tailor it how they would want to maybe

[2:21:38] have four plans in a group. But, I haven't asked the question yet. But if

[2:21:42] we could have four plans in a group, then that really does give flexibility

[2:21:45] to the employees, especially if, hey, I'm I'm healthy. I never get sick. I

[2:21:50] just need to make sure I don't lose my house if something happens. I'd rather

[2:21:54] take a less expensive plan at a higher deductible compared to there may be

[2:21:58] those that are out there that I'd rather pay more in my premium to have less out

[2:22:02] of pocket. And I think we should be able to give our employees that choice, but

[2:22:06] we have to have the health insurance carrier be willing to offer multiple

[2:22:09] plans in the group besides just the two that we have. So, I'm going to send that

[2:22:14] email out tomorrow and see uh if we could offer more than just the two and

[2:22:20] maybe if I can get an extension uh past the 14th of September because I don't

[2:22:25] know that I could have the meetings and everything with the people that I need

[2:22:29] to in order for them to give me some guidance on what they're willing to

[2:22:32] accept. >> And I appreciate you doing that, Jim. I

[2:22:35] don't know if you could help, but >> the 14th only gives us three weeks

[2:22:40] counting this one. I can have a conversation and see what we can do. I

[2:22:44] know the their their thing has always been that with open enrollment being in

[2:22:48] October that they want to have the material

[2:22:52] done in time. Um, now with advances in technology, maybe that can be squeezed.

[2:22:59] » You know, >> yeah,

[2:23:00] » what we could do 3 years ago was way behind what we can do now. So, um, I did

[2:23:05] do some math based on our current enrollment on each one of the plans. It

[2:23:10] nets out a 9% increase. We've got 36 employees sitting on the single

[2:23:15] qualified high deductible plan and that's by far the largest one.

[2:23:21] So it and it and as far as a monthly increase, it works out to about again

[2:23:25] based on current enrollment in the current plans $10,375

[2:23:29] or so a month. >> Yeah. And the the alternate plans that

[2:23:34] they sent >> are lower. Yeah. Well, I mean are are

[2:23:38] 22% less [snorts] than what the rates are going to and I think it were like

[2:23:43] 16% less than are current. So for those employees that are out there that need

[2:23:49] it as insurance is supposed to be for the just in case and not being used on a

[2:23:54] regular basis, they did come out with a really good alternate at a really decent

[2:23:59] pricing that I think um if employees were to look and say, "Hey, I'm going to

[2:24:03] save x amount a month that could be used towards the higher deductible." And if

[2:24:07] they don't get sick, then they just pocket that money. So if I were young,

[2:24:12] single, and and healthy, it it's and and could get into a qualified high

[2:24:16] deductible, I it's my money with if the if the county is still funding. So it

[2:24:21] yeah, there there is some attract attraction there for those plan some of

[2:24:24] those plans. I I mean the family rates are like $600 a month less expensive. So

[2:24:30] uh it just there there's the numbers are completely different than what they were

[2:24:34] last year and I was pleasantly surprised to see that. So, I I think the employees

[2:24:38] do have options and the county has options, too. So, um

[2:24:44] anyway, well, I'll I'll keep crunching the numbers and and let people know as I

[2:24:47] get them. >> And I would like I I I'd like to leave

[2:24:51] here tonight with some sense of the time frame. I ideally I'd like to ask them

[2:24:58] if they could allow us the next time enough time to

[2:25:04] have the meeting. Derek's talking about with the insurance representatives

[2:25:09] and the insurance committee uh either on the 15th and 16th our regular meeting

[2:25:15] days and then our full board meeting is the

[2:25:19] 28th. So if if we could have those meetings at

[2:25:24] that time and then hopefully approve it on the 28th and let Hope know. I realize

[2:25:32] that only gives them 3 days to October 1st.

[2:25:39] » Well, um I I'm actually now that we're s I'm going to send the email and ask if

[2:25:46] we can have a representative from uh Hope Trust come and actually explain the

[2:25:51] plans. So that way the union and the employees are hearing it directly from

[2:25:56] the entity and and me not trying to interpret nor asking the employees to

[2:26:01] interpret it on their own because there's definitely going to be some

[2:26:04] differences in how things are covered and what the out of pockets are going to

[2:26:07] be and I don't want somebody thinking well I still got insurance but it's

[2:26:11] cheaper and not realize why it's cheaper because it's not covering near what it

[2:26:16] used to. So, uh, I would feel more comfortable having a Hope Trust

[2:26:20] representative come and actually explain those benefits to the employees if we

[2:26:24] can get that meeting set up. Um, >> so, and I think they've done that before

[2:26:28] in the past. >> I'm sure I'm sure we can get somebody.

[2:26:31] » So, um, yeah. And then the the final thing was is we'll definitely have the

[2:26:37] numbers figured out by the end of September. That's the goal. So,

[2:26:40] employees will have the whole month of October to decide what they want to do.

[2:26:44] That's the reason why we're trying to move this along as quickly as we can. Um

[2:26:49] when when you're not going out and bidding it uh from other carriers,

[2:26:53] you've got a little more wiggle room to [snorts] work with things. So um but

[2:26:58] yeah, uh the idea is we'll uh have numbers so people will know what their

[2:27:02] deductions will be in October and plenty of time for their uh November one date

[2:27:07] for their open enrollment. So,

[2:27:13] I'm I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let this go. If I'm assuming the full board

[2:27:19] has to approve the plans that we're going to offer.

[2:27:23] So, we're either going to do that on the 28th or we're going to need to schedule

[2:27:28] a special meeting. And if we're going to have to schedule a special meeting

[2:27:33] soon, I'd like to do it tonight because that's really not a lot of time. And

[2:27:39] we've got Labor Day in there. >> I was going to say if you have to have a

[2:27:41] special meeting, do it like we've done in the past sandwiched in on on the

[2:27:45] third Wednesday between meetings >> when you can get a quorum.

[2:27:51] » There would be room. We've got highway on Wednesday at 1:30 and uh building and

[2:27:57] grounds doesn't meet until 6, then public safety at 7.

[2:28:01] » Yeah. I mean, so if you if you had to have a special board meeting, just do

[2:28:04] like 5:30 or something. >> Okay. I mean, I'm just throwing out

[2:28:09] there as a thought. >> It's a good thought,

[2:28:11] » but I mean, if you're wanting to do it with with a Hope Trust representative,

[2:28:14] we're going to need more than a half hour to go to go through them.

[2:28:18] » But >> well, and hopefully you'd have the

[2:28:20] meeting you're you're talking about first and then the full board meeting.

[2:28:24] » Yeah. So, but I I would if you had to if you

[2:28:30] had to do a special, but there may be such a thing as if we could kind of if I

[2:28:36] mean we're looking at basically five five plans at the moment and if you know

[2:28:40] we just said, "Hey, we like these four. If if four is an option, we could

[2:28:44] approve offering all four of them and then go on and we may have an we may

[2:28:49] have an answer of that to that question tomorrow."

[2:28:52] » Yeah. Okay. >> If if we can if we can narrow down, we

[2:28:56] can do four plans, then it's just going to be a matter of how much is the county

[2:29:00] going to pay towards them. And then >> yeah,

[2:29:02] » then it's really it then it's just that that'd be perfect because then the

[2:29:08] uh hope trust representative could come in and explain the four plans to the

[2:29:12] employees and then the employees would just choose which of the four plans they

[2:29:16] want to take. >> Yeah. Yeah.

[2:29:18] » So that that works out fine. I just I'll send the email tomorrow and

[2:29:23] see if we can actually offer four plans. Okay.

[2:29:25] » And then if we get that answered yes, then that really does put us in a good

[2:29:29] position. >> So if we do have to have a special

[2:29:32] meeting, we're looking at maybe uh 5:00 on the 16th. Wednesday the 16th.

[2:29:41] That's a tenative special meeting date. >> Yeah. Okay.

[2:29:47] Um, and even we'll need to know that soon because I think we have 10 days to

[2:29:52] post that is the requirement.

[2:29:58] I'd have to double check. I don't It's been a while since I've looked that.

[2:30:03] » Okay. Thank you. Uh,

[2:30:07] what about uh three? >> Yeah, number three. Um, so in in light

[2:30:12] of some things that have happened over the last month and um I I just wanted to

[2:30:17] throw out there that we we do have an opportunity. We

[2:30:22] have a local agency Squires uh out of um down south in the county. They have

[2:30:28] other county uh business with ICRMT. They have the uh Pike County Water

[2:30:33] District with ICMT. They're a local agent that could service and handle our

[2:30:38] account. But I I do believe that it would we we should have the board vote

[2:30:42] on it and see if that's something that we'd want to do. And the the the reason

[2:30:47] that I think it's it it's important to consider uh is number one that they they

[2:30:54] are local, they are taxpayers. Um but also number two that uh they're they're

[2:31:01] close to where they could come here if there are discussions or or or need for

[2:31:05] things. And I as I've been going through the budget and looking at things um for

[2:31:11] what's being spent through our our current agent um for these uh employees

[2:31:17] that basically are are out of work or are are going to these two-day meetings.

[2:31:23] Uh aside from us reimbursing the mileage, aside from monies getting paid

[2:31:28] out um for the hotel stays and so forth, it just starts to add up. And but what

[2:31:34] what I'm really more concerned about is is missing days of work. Um because then

[2:31:40] if if if days are being missed, then stuff isn't getting done at the county.

[2:31:44] And I get that there's a possibility that there's a lot of information that

[2:31:48] needs to be covered. But I do continue in education all the time. And there's

[2:31:53] so much that's available online, especially as it pertains to the

[2:31:56] insurance industry. I don't know that warranted that it warrants two-day um

[2:32:01] out of out of um out of the area um meetings. So I wanted to propose that we

[2:32:08] look at changing um our ICMT coverage to Squire's insurance as our insurance

[2:32:14] agency or our local agent um that would be able to handle stuff for the 2027

[2:32:20] renewal. And um so I am making a motion that we do that and present it to to the

[2:32:26] rest of the board for consideration.

[2:32:35] So we have a motion by Derek. Is there a second for that?

[2:32:40] Second by Lance. Any discussion?

[2:32:46] All in favor? I >> I.

[2:32:49] » Any oppose? Nay >> nay

[2:32:52] » nay.

[2:32:57] » Okay. Um

[2:33:01] » Catherine, I think you're going to have to call the vote.

[2:33:05] » So it's 33 and the chair will vote. I

[2:33:12] » So motion carries. >> Uh Don, are you going to read the

[2:33:17] highway minutes? >> Yeah, I'll do.

[2:33:20] Quick interruption. Um Derek Jason Jason says we can certainly do three. He's

[2:33:25] going to do a quick check to see if we can do four.

[2:33:28] » Great. Thank you. >> Thanks Jim.

[2:33:33] » Okay. Don Highway.

[2:33:38] The road and bridge committee met Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 at 1:30

[2:33:43] p.m. at the Pike County Highway Department facility located at 39643

[2:33:48] 260th Avenue, building 4, Pittsfield, Illinois 62363.

[2:33:54] The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Roll call had Rita Hoskins, Don

[2:33:59] Foster, and Andy Marlman present with Joe Cobb absent. Also staff of Chris

[2:34:05] Johnson, Michelle McCartney, and John McAllister. There were no visitors.

[2:34:10] Public comment was none. Uh payment of claims. A motion was made by Andy

[2:34:15] Barlman, seconded by Don Foster to pay claims. Per claims reports dated August

[2:34:21] 19th, 2026. All in favor? Motion carried. Half a bridge closeouts, there

[2:34:27] was none. Uh new business. The county engineer discussed that the construction

[2:34:32] projects on County Highway 14 and County Highway 2 are going very well. A large

[2:34:39] majority of the work is projected to be done before harvest really gets going in

[2:34:44] full swing. The har the highway department is looking at options for a

[2:34:49] new tractor and mower as both tractors currently in use are 22 and 23 years old

[2:34:56] and have required multiple repairs. A discussion was held regarding the

[2:35:01] highway department's roof and ongoing need for repair solutions. Under old

[2:35:07] business, there was none. A motion was made by Andy Barman, seconded by Don

[2:35:11] Foster to adjourn the meeting at 1:50 p.m. All in favor? Motion carried.

[2:35:18] » Do I have a motion to approve the highway minutes? Tom. Second.

[2:35:23] Don. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any oppose? Nay.

[2:35:31] Motion carries. Uh Derek, GIST.

[2:35:36] » Thank you, Madam Chairman. The GIST committee was called to order at 4:03

[2:35:40] p.m. on August 18, 2026 at the annex building. Members present were Derek

[2:35:45] Ross, Don Foster, Jim Shepard. Also present were Rita Hoskins, Paulyine,

[2:35:49] J.R. Baris, Randy Wallace, and Crystal Miller. Under old business, J.R. RI said

[2:35:55] that the Foxit or Foxit Plus may be able to handle PDFs of $12.50

[2:36:00] instead of Adobe. Crystal said the power outages may be messing with the battery

[2:36:05] backups. J.R. said Tiger Hawk can take the batteries to Interstate Battery and

[2:36:09] have them replace them. The committee will wait to hear from somebody if

[2:36:13] backups uh were ordered or replaced. She also said that they had not tried to or

[2:36:19] tried the new jury message. They will check in the next month or so. Brandy

[2:36:24] was afraid to try and update CIC on her own. She will reach out to Tigerhawk and

[2:36:29] have them remote in and help her do the updates for CIC. The committee discussed

[2:36:33] the need for a dedicated person to track and update the county's website. This

[2:36:38] will be ongoing, but thoughts were about an in-house person, possible interns

[2:36:43] from local colleges, etc. Under new business, there was none. Public

[2:36:48] comments, there was none. the payments of bills. Don Foster made a motion

[2:36:52] seconded by Jim Shepard to approve payments of bills totaling $16,440.

[2:36:58] The motion passed. Ajournment Jim Shepard made a motion to adjourn,

[2:37:04] seconded by Don Foster. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 4:54

[2:37:07] p.m. >> Have a motion to approve the IT minutes.

[2:37:14] Derek Lance second. Any discussion? All in

[2:37:21] favor? I >> I.

[2:37:22] » Any oppose? Nay. Motion carries. Building and grounds did not meet this

[2:37:28] month. We'll handle those claims under item 14.

[2:37:33] Uh we previously did public safety earlier in the meeting. Were there any

[2:37:39] other committees? Okay.

[2:37:44] » Yep. You got a You got a two rivers in there.

[2:37:50] » Oh, is it in there? >> Yeah.

[2:38:03] » Okay. >> We normally don't read those into the

[2:38:06] record. Is there any need for that? >> Yeah, I was going to say

[2:38:09] » you got paid to go. So, I was minutes.

[2:38:14] » Yeah. >> Well, you asked for them. That's why I

[2:38:17] emailed him.

[2:38:22] » Okay. If you want, I'll go ahead and read

[2:38:25] them. >> We We really have not done that for

[2:38:28] » I was going to say we've never done it before.

[2:38:31] » I don't think they need to be in our minutes.

[2:38:41] » But this is a separate board meeting. It's not a committee meeting. No, it's

[2:38:45] not a committee meeting. >> I guess that's where we're questioning

[2:38:48] it. It's on our board responsible committee to be on this.

[2:38:55] » Um, yes, I believe. I think that was decided

[2:39:00] I can't remember when it was, but um you'll just have to check the minutes.

[2:39:05] There was something the board passed. There were three uh groups that Two

[2:39:13] Rivers has in a way. One is their their full board, one is the foundation and

[2:39:19] one is the community action committee. And the full board and the foundation

[2:39:26] um were officially recognized by the board and were to uh members were to be

[2:39:33] reimbursed for going. CAA was not.

[2:39:39] Did you go in person, Don? >> No, I was on Zoom.

[2:39:43] » Zoom.

[2:39:50] » I understand. [clears throat] But I I think the

[2:39:53] » current policy >> just need clarification.

[2:39:57] » Yeah. >> Because I don't have anything.

[2:40:01] » Again, this isn't a committee. >> Okay. I guess we need to review what you

[2:40:05] have listed and who is going to which meeting.

[2:40:14] » I think the only thing you're going to find is the uh

[2:40:20] the action the board took in officially recognizing those two boards and sending

[2:40:26] representatives. And then um at some point recently we

[2:40:32] changed membership. I think it was Joey and we switched that to Don

[2:40:40] and and the board approved Don is the or by consensus the regular

[2:40:50] meeting. So yes, as as far as the board's concerned, I think everything's

[2:40:54] done. It should be paid. Normally they're just on the predium

[2:40:59] report, I believe.

[2:41:06] » Yeah. I I I don't mind if he wants to read it, but I I look at it the same as

[2:41:11] like UCCCI. I mean, he goes to those meetings, but he doesn't have to read

[2:41:15] any of what's or >> or any of the hope trust. I mean, there

[2:41:20] there are things that we sit on that we don't

[2:41:24] » respond back to. I mean like the regular keyboard but

[2:41:28] » but I'm fine with however we want to do it.

[2:41:41] and he's on this. If you go back and look at the meetings, I think you'll see

[2:41:44] that or the minutes of our board meeting and it's Don and Joey.

[2:41:51] » It was changed from Joey to Don. >> We can do four.

[2:41:55] » Okay. That's what I'm saying. But you're saying this is a we can talk about.

[2:42:00] » Okay. There's three different listings, I

[2:42:04] guess.

[2:42:07] » Derek and Don are both members. >> Uh, well, I don't Derek, are you on the

[2:42:13] foundation?

[2:42:17] » You're on the regular board, >> right? So, there there's the foundation

[2:42:22] which is made up of governing board representatives, but I am not on that,

[2:42:26] but I'm on the governing board. >> Yeah. And then there is a community

[2:42:29] action uh agency >> that is then a third entity that

[2:42:35] actually looks at the community activities and that is made up

[2:42:41] of community members and some board members but yeah there's a possibility

[2:42:47] of actually being on three different boards within Two Rivers itself.

[2:42:51] » Yes. So, I don't know what our county is committing us to, if it's just the

[2:42:55] governing board or if it's committing us to all three of the boards, even though

[2:43:00] we do commit ourselves to the boards, but I just don't normally turn the rest

[2:43:04] of the stuff in. Like all my committee meetings, like I'm on the finance

[2:43:07] committee and the and I I don't turn those in. I just go to the committees.

[2:43:11] So, but that's not a full board. That's a committee, but yet it's still part of

[2:43:15] the board. So, I I don't know how I'm going to handle it,

[2:43:20] but I definitely turn in when I go to a full board meeting. And this possibly

[2:43:25] was a full board for the foundation, but it wasn't the governing board. That's

[2:43:29] why I wasn't there, but God was. >> Is Natalie still on the foundation

[2:43:32] board? >> No, she dropped off when she was on the

[2:43:36] law school. So,

[2:43:43] » we used to have Mark uh Sprag on it. I don't know that we ever

[2:43:48] » He's actually still on it. >> Yeah, I think he is.

[2:43:52] » He's a community member that's still on it.

[2:43:59] » Okay, we did item 10. Item 11, new business. I asked for that. I don't

[2:44:04] think there was any. Um, just an update. I showed Derek, but we can offer four

[2:44:09] plans. >> We can

[2:44:11] » we can I just got confirmation from Jason Booth at Hope Trust.

[2:44:15] » Great. >> So,

[2:44:16] » so does that change our need for an insurance

[2:44:21] » committee or when we might >> um I I'd like to table that answer until

[2:44:26] I do some number crunching and figure out how it goes. So,

[2:44:30] » okay. >> I mean, I still need input input from

[2:44:33] people. I just don't know if we need >> I I think I'd still leave it as a

[2:44:37] possibility, but we know where we know we can. So,

[2:44:40] » great. >> Great.

[2:44:42] » Thanks, Jim. That's very helpful. >> Okay. Any old business?

[2:44:48] » Um, the only thing I was going to ask, I know I got a couple emails and I've been

[2:44:52] reached out to a couple times individually regarding the uh

[2:44:55] development project in Pleasant Hill that was denied. I didn't know if

[2:44:59] there's any other plans to reopen that discussion or not.

[2:45:04] as far as the zoning board goes or county business goes, but I've it's been

[2:45:09] requested multiple times that we reconsider.

[2:45:14] » All right. Are you talking about the Dollar General?

[2:45:16] » Yeah. Yeah.

[2:45:20] That was all. I didn't know if anybody else had any contacts on that or not.

[2:45:24] » I guess I probably got the same two emails you did.

[2:45:26] » I got the two emails from the county and the county email, but then al I've also

[2:45:30] been reached out multiple phone calls.

[2:45:36] At this point there isn't, but >> well I I didn't understand the emails

[2:45:40] myself if they've actually found a different location they're trying to put

[2:45:44] it at. >> Yeah, that's why I'm not sure if they're

[2:45:46] try if there's any any other official action on that. I just like I said, I

[2:45:50] know what people have reached out to me and addressed with me. So

[2:45:55] » is is the old John Deere building still vacant?

[2:45:58] » No. >> No.

[2:45:59] » No, it is not. [clears throat] >> Okay. I'm just asking. I have been to

[2:46:02] Pleasant Hill. >> I was going to say if Greg was here, it

[2:46:04] would have to be in his office if there was another location cuz we do the

[2:46:07] zoning for Pleasant Hill. But >> if there was any official movement, we

[2:46:12] it would have had to come through Greg. >> Yeah, [sighs]

[2:46:17] » I can ask him. Okay. >> If he's working on anything, I will do

[2:46:21] that.

[2:46:24] [clears throat] >> Uh no chairman remarks.

[2:46:28] Item 14 then uh summary of current expenses and mileage and PDM.

[2:46:44] » Uh it's under it's C

[2:46:49] unless you have it on the PDU report or something you can Okay.

[2:47:01] Okay. On the billboard, do we want to put the amounts that we approve?

[2:47:07] » 23,000. >> It's going to I mean, I changed the

[2:47:09] total. The building grants can my report today, but

[2:47:15] it's 23,1361.

[2:47:19] Public safety is now 44,87426. GIS 16,44024

[2:47:26] finance committee 89,68226

[2:47:33] the law library funds Y81 special grand total of all special funds is 25,8138

[2:47:42] with now grand total of 199,9175.

[2:47:49] That's not right. What was that total?

[2:47:59] » I read 23,000.

[2:48:03] » Okay. So, if we approve what you just read, we are including building and

[2:48:07] grounds and public safety. >> Yes.

[2:48:12] » Yes.

[2:48:16] » Right. So, now we

[2:48:23] have them tonight. You guys have taken care of them tonight. So, do I have a

[2:48:27] motion to approve the uh current expenses

[2:48:33] report as amended? >> Yep.

[2:48:35] » Tom and second by Lance. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

[2:48:41] » I. >> Any oppose? Nay.

[2:48:44] » Nay. >> Motion carries.

[2:48:50] Um, and then I don't know if item C needs a

[2:48:54] vote or not. Don went to the Hope Trust Conference and has a bill for his

[2:49:01] mileage and the clerk's office, I guess, is wanting me to sign off on it. Uh,

[2:49:10] » right. Um, the other people I guess have a

[2:49:18] a supervisor who approves their mileage reimbursement. So I don't know who

[2:49:24] approved walkers

[2:49:29] in my budget and I put I was using an old temp.

[2:49:37] So I did make a mistake. It should come out 00105529

[2:49:46] which is my education seminar.

[2:49:52] » Can you get that to Charlie or

[2:49:57] » the clerk's office would need to make that change?

[2:50:01] » Yeah. I mean either way I'm wearing the question.

[2:50:08] [snorts]

[2:50:11] » So

[2:50:15] I can just sign Don if you're

[2:50:24] vote on it because you didn't approve it during finance. So I guess

[2:50:27] » I don't think we need to vote on it. I'll just approve it.

[2:50:32] Okay. Uh, comments from the Oh, I we didn't do the pamper

[2:50:50] is absent. Total of 3824 G all present to 916. Highway J is

[2:50:58] absent. A total of 216 finance all present for a total of 12980

[2:51:06] was cancelled. Public safety Tom was absent to 9560.

[2:51:14] The two words foster $50 and the economic development committee meeting

[2:51:21] was Joey present for a total of 197 for a total for [clears throat]

[2:51:27] 600 total for DM is 1948

[2:51:38] and this would

[2:51:46] Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the PD uh PDM report?

[2:51:51] » Don. Second by Derek. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

[2:51:56] » I. >> Any opposed? Nay.

[2:51:59] Motion carries. >> Item 15. Is there any u questions from

[2:52:05] the press or public comment?

[2:52:12] Okay, then I'd uh take a motion to adjurnn. Tom,

[2:52:17] » Lance, any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any oppose? Nay.

[2:52:24] » Motion carries. We're adjourned at 953.

[2:52:30] That was a good one. We have to figure out I [clears throat]

[2:52:34] don't know how they how the schools get to allocate those funds out of that, but

[2:52:38] » I don't know. Somehow

[2:52:43] clean up.

[2:52:47] » Okay, let me just get this turned off. >> Barry Barry Griggs not quite yet.

Pike County, IL August 24, 2026 Pike County Board Regular Meeting

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