PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
January 09, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, January 09, 2023, by County Board Chairman Charles Lenkaitis. 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, Luke Holly, and Charles Lenkaitis answering.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Minutes: It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the minutes from December 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 0 absent.
Bills: It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the bills for December 2022. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.
Public comment:
Charlie Witzman was present and expressed his opinion that he did not think we should have wind turbines in Putnam County. He explained a situation that happen close to him regarding a company text messaging someone information about Wind Turbines using strong-arm tactics. Charlie did give a handout to the board titling CCUS projects must pave way for achievable climate solutions. The article is from the Boiler Maker Recorder regarding Cabon Capture Use and Storage.
Valerie Witzman was present and spoke about the wind turbine that caught on fire on 01/6/2023 located on a Wind farm close to us. Valerie gave different statistics regarding the dangers of wind turbine fires and she asked the board if P.C. Fire Departments were ready to handle these particular fires.
States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and presented a resolution that would Appoint Tammy Mehalic as an Interim Zoning Officer. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve Resolution 2023-01 Appointing Tamara Mehalic as County Zoning Officer. Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2023-01.)
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan was present and presented his December report regarding County Highway Engineering and Maintenance Activities to the board. Sloan reported the engine breaking signs will be going up in the next week or so. There is still plenty of salt for the winter as they have not been using very much yet. Interviews continue for two-open positions with the highway department being the county engineer and engineering technician. There were no other questions. (The County Highway Engineer Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Sheriff Joshua Boedigheimer was present with his financial reports for December. The Sheriff reported that Country Financial Agent Matt Hostetter presented a $1500.00 donation from Country Financials’ Operation Helping Heros program. This donation will assist with purchasing a couple of computers to put in the squads. The new squad is estimated to be ready in March which will take place of PC 5. There were no other questions. (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 present with his financial reports for December. The General Fund’s balance for December, Fiscal Year 2023, is $237,842.75 compared to a balance of $366,232.52 for December, Fiscal Year 2022. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2023". The General Fund balance for December, Fiscal Year 2023, is ($124,118.66). The General Fund Savings balance for December, Fiscal Year 2023, is $1,213,944.80. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for December, Fiscal Year 2023, is $1,742,427.17. The total of the General Fund Accounts is $2,832,253.31. Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2023 shows revenues of $234,593.60 and expenses of ($406,693.08) for a total of ($172,099.48). There were no other questions. (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 December. Dolder reported that the Consolidated Election filing period has ended the election is underway. Dolder had (1) action item which was 1 Resolution for Properties Conveyed to the Trustee in a Sealed Bid Auction. It was moved by board member Rue to approve Resolution 2023-02 Property Conveyed to Trustee in a Sealed Bid Auction. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2023-02.) Dolder reported that Nicole Bouxsein has been hired to work 27 ½ hrs. in the Clerk & Recorders office. 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.
Zoning Officer No Zoning Officer was present.
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was not present and had nothing to report.
County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid was present with his Death Investigator report for December but did have to leave. Cofoid reported (3) deaths for the month of December. There were no other questions regarding his report. (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 did not have a report for December.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance Amending the Enterprise Zone within the County of Putnam, also being a portion of the larger Enterprise zone encompassing contiguous portions of the cities of Princeton, Spring Valley, the Village of Granville, Hennepin, Ladd, and Mark, and the Counties of Bureau and Putnam, Illinois. Board Member Holly did explain that this is being expanded due to a business in Bureau County however everyone involved has to pass an Ordinance to allow the expansion. Board member Holly moved to approve Amending the Enterprise Zone. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Ordinance (2023-0-01).
IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2023 which have increased by 3 cents and will now be 65.5 cents per mile.
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 December.
Correspondences and Committee Reports:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ADJOURN:
At 5:57 P.M., Board member Holly moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 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