South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of Commissioners met March 17.

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, Commissioner Vicki Koerber and Commissioner Doug Garmer were present.

Others present included County Clerk Jonathan McLean, Deputy Clerk Kara Etherton, Mapping/Platting Specialist Erin Lewis, Deputy Clerk Ashley Hoeffken, EMA Director Kevin Schiebe, Health Department Director John Wagner, County Engineer Aaron Metzger, Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein, Deputy Treasurer Scott Marquardt, Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker, Oak Hill Administrator Alicia Emmerich, Pat Kelly, Scott Woodsmall from the Republic Times, and Sheila Wetzler.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the minutes of the closed Board meeting on February 3, 2025, and the regular Board meeting minutes from March 3, 2025. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Chairman Green asked for public comments. There were none.

EMA Director Kevin Scheibe came before the Board to provide an update on damage across the County during the weather event on March 14, 2025 and ask the Board to approve a declaration of disaster. The Board thanked Mr. Scheibe and all first responders for their services during and after the storm. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the disaster declaration. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

An application from the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for use of the Bandstand for a free concert series was the only item on the consent agenda. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the application for the dates of June 8, 2025, July 13, 2025, August 10, 2025, and September 14, 2025. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Sheriff Rohlfing and Joe Lewis were unavailable to present the status report on capital projects. This will be addressed at a future meeting.

Alicia Emmerich came before the Board to present the Oak Hill report as well as the financial statement and refund requests.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the Oak Hill monthly income and expense report. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the February and March Oak Hill refund requests. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-15

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the following financial reports:

1. The monthly Nursing Home Distribution Report

2. Approval of invoices $10,000.00 or greater

3. Monthly County Distribution Report

Motion to approve the financial reports was Seconded by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein appeared before the Board to present the county financial statement for the period of December 2024 through February 2025. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the statement. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

County Clerk Jonathan McLean stated that there would be policy guidelines written up and distributed to all department heads concerning the Miscellaneous Expense Policy. It was decided that no new ordinance or resolution was necessary.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to table the discussion and approval of the County Credit Card Policy Resolution. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker and Mapping and Platting Specialist Erin Lewis appeared before the Board to discuss a possible Ordinance to address public road frontage of flag lots created prior to July 1, 1995. The topic was discussed at a previous Board meeting on February 3, 2025. County Clerk Jonathan McLean explained that there are 8 undeveloped flag lots and a developer approached him about the possibility of reconfiguring all the flag lots along a single access easement. Right now, County Code prohibits reconfiguration of lots along newly created easements. However, due to safety concerns of having several driveways that are all 50 feet from each other on a public road, McLean said he wanted to give the Board an opportunity to consider an exception before denying the request. After a brief discussion, it was decided to send the matter back to the Monroe County Planning Commission.

Health Department Director John Wagner appeared before the Board to request an amendment to Health Code 18-2-1 (food sanitation code). It amends sections 18-2-2, 18-2-5, 18-2-8 and 18-2-12. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Ordinance #25-4

County Engineer Aaron Metzger appeared before the Board for approval of a contract award to Evergreen Roadworks, LLC for furnishing asphalt materials for roads within Road Districts 1, 2, 4, 9, and 10 and the Monroe County Highway Department. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-16

Aaron Metzger also asked the Board to approve a contract award to Illini Road Oil, LLC for furnishing asphalt materials for roads within Road Districts 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 and Monroe County Highway Department. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-17

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of property acquisition. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-18

The meeting was closed at 10:10 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 #25-19

The meeting returned to open session at 10:36 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.

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