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PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING

October 11, 2022, at 5:32 P.M.

                       

The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:32 P.M. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, by County Board Vice Chairman Steve Malavolti.  The meeting was held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois.

Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with, Floyd Holocker, Tony Rue, Steve Malavolti answering. Charlie Lenkaitis was present via zoom. Luke Holly was absent.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Minutes: It was moved by board member Rue to approve the minutes from September 12, 2022, Regular Board Meeting.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.

Bills: It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve bills for September 2022. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.  

Public comment: 

Valerie Witzman was present and passed out a handout regarding the fight against wind turbines in Douglas County. Valerie also stated that she will send the link to the board members’ emails.

Charlie Witzman was present and wanted to follow up with what Val was talking about. Charlie told the board about Jesse Ausubel whom he said was a top thinker on wind and solar energy. Charlie stated that there are so many articles against wind and solar energy out there and they have presented the board with many.

Jeff Purtell was present and wanted to inform the board that the residents of Putnam have come to him to see what could be done about the water in Putnam. Jeff stated that the wells are failing and falling apart. The residents have no idea where the lines are or shut off valves. The residents are also concerned about not being able to hear a warning siren from Henry or Hennepin in their community. The residents are having a town hall meeting on Nov 14, 2022, @ 6:00 P.M.

States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and said that they did not have anything for the Solar Farm Moratorium and that it does not expire until Dec 2022. The board tabled this issue until next month. Next, was Ordinance 22-0-02 Establishing an area on IL Rt 71 Prohibiting the use of Compression breaks or braking, also known as “Jake Brakes”.  This was briefly discussed and made clear that until the proper signage was installed, they would not enforce the ordinance. It was moved by board member Lenkaitis to approve Ordinance 2022-0-02 Establishing an area on Rt 71 prohibiting the use of “Jake Brakes”. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Ordinance (#2022-0-02). Then, Resolution 2022 – 11 Dividing General Assessment by Township. After a short discussion, it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve Resolution 2022-11 Dividing General Assessment by Township. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (#2022-11). Lastly, the Appointment of the Zoning Officer will need to be tabled and set up for a special meeting before Oct 24, 2022. Christina is still meeting with Marshall County and finalizing the shared position agreement.

County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan was present and presented his September report regarding County Highway Engineering and Maintenance Activities to the board. There were no questions regarding Pat’s report. (The County Highway Engineer Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)   

Sheriff Kevin Doyle was present with his financial reports for September. Sheriff Doyle did also want to address the new “Jake Braking” Ordinance and said that he will not be able to enforce this new ordinance until the signs are installed. He also believes that the initial response should be a campaign for education on the issue instead of writing tickets. (The Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)    

County Treasurer Kevin Kunkel was not present but included in the packet his financial reports for September to the board.  The General Fund’s balance for September, Fiscal Year 2022, is $699,530.50 compared to a balance of $623,540.13 for September, Fiscal Year 2021. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2022".  The General Fund balance for September, Fiscal Year 2022, is $502.79.  The General Fund Savings balance for September, Fiscal Year 2022, is $1,919,419.01.  The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for September, Fiscal Year 2022, is $1,120,636.31.  The total of the General Fund Accounts is $3,040,630.11.  Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2022 shows revenues of $3,953,913.06 and expenses of ($2,535,592.18) for a total of 1,418,020.88. (The County Treasurer’s financial reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.).

County Clerk & Recorder Tina Dolder was present with her report for September. Dolder reported that Early voting for the General Nov 8, 2022 Election started September 29, 2022. There were no other questions regarding her report. (The County Clerk & Recorder’s financial report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk & Recorder for review by any interested parties.)

County Circuit Clerk Carly Neubaum was not present and had nothing to report.

County Probation Officer Shawn Oetzel was not present and had nothing to report.

County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was not present and had nothing to report.

County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid was not present however did include his Death Investigator report for September to the board.  Cofoid reported (4) deaths for the month of September. (The County Death Investigator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)

Putnam County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer was not present and had no report.

NEW BUSINESS:

Hopkins & Associates services are to be provided to Putnam County for the year ending November 30, 2022. The county board reviewed the agreement of services and it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the agreement with Hopkins & Associates to complete the audit for Putnam County for the year ending November 30, 2022.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.

2022 – 2023 Proposed Budget. It was moved by board member Rue to approve the 2022-2023 proposed budget to post.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

Putnam County Website (www.co.putnam.il.us.)

Website Care Report was included in the packet for the board to see the activity for September.

Correspondences and Committee Reports:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

ADJOURN:              

At 6:00 P.M., Board member Rue moved to adjourn the meeting.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.  The meeting was adjourned.  The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, November 14, at 5:30 P.M.  The meeting will be held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse.

Respectfully submitted,

TINA DOLDER, Clerk of the Putnam County Board