South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met May 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 8:15 a.m. by Chairman George E. Green.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman George E. Green and Commissioner Vicki Koerber were present. Commissioner Dennis M. Knobloch was absent.

Others present included County Clerk Jonathan McLean, State’s Attorney Ryan Webb, Sheila Wetzler, Kermit Constantine of the Republic-Times, Pat Kelly, Douglas Garmer, Sandy Garmer, Neal Rohlfing, and Monroe County Republican Party Chairman Edwin McLean.

Chairman Green asked for public comments. Pat Kelly commented that he believes it was out of order for Chairman Green to not allow him to speak at the previous meeting regarding leased parcels in the bottoms. Mr. Kelly believes that the rent for the leased parcels needs to be increased.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the following County bills and payroll for payment. Seconded by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve meeting minutes for the April 15, 2024 regular meeting. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the Oak Hill Care Center Accounts Payable. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

County Clerk Jonathan McLean announced that a resignation letter was received from Commissioner Knobloch. Mr. Knobloch said that his resignation was due to ongoing health reasons. The County Clerk said that the letter was filed and indexed by his office, and it must be formally approved by the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the letter of resignation. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Abstain. Motion carried.

Commissioner Knobloch is a member of the Republican Party. Per Illinois law, the vacated seat must be replaced with another member of the Republican Party. Chairman Green asked Republican Party Chairman Edwin McLean to recommend the name of a Republican to fill the vacated seat on the Board. Chairman McLean came before the Board with a recommendation of Douglas Garmer. Chairman Green was agreeable to appointing Douglas Garmer to fill the vacated seat and presented a resolution for consideration.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to appoint Douglas Garmer to fill the remaining term of Dennis Knobloch as Member of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Motion carried. Resolution #24-55

Douglas Garmer was administered the oath of office by Judge Chris Hitzemann. The oath of office was filed and indexed by the County Clerk. Commissioner Garmer took his seat at the Board table.

Chairman Green made a motion to appoint Vicki Koerber Vice Chair of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve an application for use of courthouse bandstand and courtyard for the Waterloo Porta Westfalica Fest on June 17 through 19, 2024. Second by Chairman Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Sheriff Rohlfing presented the 2023 Corrections, Dispatch, and Deputy of the Year Awards. Brittani Holcomb was presented the 2023 Telecommunicator of the Year. Logan Zirkelbach was presented the 2023 Correctional Officer of the Year. Kyle Waddington was presented the 2023 Deputy of the Year. Deputies Paige Mantia and Kyle Krebel were presented letters of commendation for their efforts to free a trapped subject during a March 23, 2024 barn collapse in Waterloo, Illinois.

Assessor Carl Wuertz was called to the meeting by Chairman Green. Mr. Green asked for an update on the final tax assessments for 2023. Mr. Wuertz said his office is still working on the assessments and should be done within the next three weeks.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to authorize the Board of Health, or its designee, to execute a purchase contract for real property from the Monroe County Electric Cooperative for use as a mass vaccination site and other County Health Department Needs. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Garmer Abstain. Motion carried. Resolution #24-56

Sheriff Rohlfing and Joe Lewis presented a jail construction update. The new addition to the jail is moving along quickly. There were no change orders to approve.

Aaron Metzger came before the Board to discuss revising the terms on a few of the parcels in the Monroe County Buyout Leasing Program. He would like to reduce the term of the lease from five years to one year. By doing this, it will give him more time to research the possibility of using some of the parcels for wetland mitigation. No action was taken. Mr. Metzger will return at the future meeting with a resolution.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of personnel and litigation. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-57

The meeting was closed at 9:20 a.m.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to come out of closed session. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-58

The meeting was reopened at 9:54 a.m.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

The meeting ended at 9:54 a.m.

https://monroecountyil.gov/departments/board-of-commissioners/county-board-minutes/