South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 15.

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, State's Attorney Ryan Webb, Public Safety Director Kevin Scheibe, County Engineer Aaron Metzger, Brad Hausmann, Ambulance Director Carla Heise, Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein, Deputy Treasurer Scott Marquardt, Human Resource Officer Missy Whittington, Circuit Clerk Lisa Fallon, George Obernagel, Mindy Hanna, Todd Papenburg, Erin Dierkes, Chad Dillenberger, James Mitchell, Pat Kelly, Sidney Horn, James Crowe, Donna DeWilde, Judy Niemann, Beverly Richards, James Breidecker, Monica Breidecker, Scott Woodsmall from the Republic Times, and Sheila Wetzler.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular and closed meetings from September 2, 2025. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Public Safety Director Kevin Scheibe gave an update on the Stringtown Levee scour hole situation.

Chairman Green asked if there were any public comments.

Pat Kelly spoke about the lease agreement with Oak Hill and the nursing home financial statements.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda:

a. Renewal of promissory note and line of credit between State Bank and Monroe Randolph Transit District. Resolution #25-64

b. Trunk or Treat 2025 Courtyard Bandstand Application to be held on October 31, 2025.

c. Appointment of Ed Ahne, to the Monroe County Local Emergency Planning Committee, replacing Brandon Ottens. Resolution #25-65

d. Appointment of Josh Bayer to the Monroe County Local Emergency Planning Committee, replacing James Mitchell. Resolution #25-66

Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Mindy Hanna came before the Board to present the Oak Hill Monthly Report-None-Financial.

Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein presented the financial statements and distribution reports for Oak Hill. In addition, he discussed the County 3 quarter financial statements and provided an update on the 2024 tax cycle. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the following Financial Reports:

a. Review and approval of Nursing Home Financial Statements. / Oak Hill Resident Refunds - Resolution #25-67

b. Review and approval of Monthly Nursing Home Distribution Report.

c. Review and approval of Claims $10,000.00 or Greater.

d. Review and approval of Monthly County Distribution Report.

e. Review and approval of County Financial Statements

f. 3rd Quarter Financial Report and 2024 Real Estate Tax Cycle Update

Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

County Engineer Aaron Metzger came before the Board to discuss the Rogers Street Access Control Ordinance. He stated that he wanted to be sure that there was consistent access policy to all properties along Rogers Street. The Commissioners agreed that consistency was needed and there would need to be further discussion. No other action was taken.

Todd Papenberg, President of the Monroe County Farm Bureau, gave a short presentation about the importance of agriculture to Monroe County. Chairman Green presented a resolution supporting agriculture within Monroe County. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the resolution. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-68

Ambulance Director Carla Heise presented to the Board an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services and the Monroe County Ambulance Service concerning ambulance rates and services. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Ambulance Director Heise also presented a Medicaid cost report to the Board. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

GIS Specialist Brad Hausmann came before the Board to discuss the upgrades to the County GIS software. ArcGIS Enterprise is a new system for the county to utilize to improve GIS functionality for County employees as well as the public. He explained that it would help with parcel history, map updating, and help improve farmland assessments. Mr. Hausmann explained that there were other stakeholders within the County that were interested in using this program. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Hausmann for his presentation and stated they were looking forward to hearing more about this program in the future. No action was taken.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of purchase, sale, or lease of real estate and personnel. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Meeting closed at 10:07 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.

The meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m. The next regular Board meeting will be on October 6, 2025.

https://monroecountyil.gov/download/702/2025/251810/09-15-25-county-board-meeting-minutes.pdf