South Central Reporter

Macoupin County Board met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Members Present: Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Members Absent: Todd Armour, Bernie Kiel, Harry Starr, and John Trevino 

Officials and Department Heads Present: Amy Ashby, Christy Blank, Emily Gerl, John Bresnan, Jordan Garrison, L. Amber McGartland, Tom Reinhart, Pete Duncan, Anne Clough, and Joseph Chirwa

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

There were 14 members present and 4 members absent.

3. Approval of Minutes

3.1 County Board - Jul 08 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Aaron Stayton

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Carried 14-0

4. Committee Reports

4.1 Road and Bridge Committee - Jul 18 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: John Blank

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Carried 14-0

4.2 Economic Development Committee - Jul 22 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: John Blank

Seconded by: Ross Adden

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Carried 14-0

4.3 Courts Committee - Jul 22 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Leann Barr

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

4.4 General Administrative Committee - Special Meeting - Jul 30 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Leann Barr

Seconded by: Kristi Dunnagan

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

4.5 Public Safety Committee - Aug 05 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Jim Ibberson

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

4.6 Finance Committee - Aug 05 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Ross Adden

Seconded by: Ryan Kilduff

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

4.7 Road and Bridge Committee - Aug 06 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

4.8 General Administrative Committee - Aug 07 2025 - Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes.

Moved by: Leann Barr

Seconded by: Kristi Dunnagan

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

5. Report from Special Committees

6. Guests

Matt Dowland and Michael Davis with Dowland Financial Services wanted to talk about the RFP for the Health Insurance. They were interested in providing a proposal but needed a Blue Insight report from Blue Cross Blue Shield in order to do so. Schmidt asked Duncan to get it and Duncan emailed BCBS asking for the report to provide to them.

7. Appointments 

7.1 Appoint Adam Edwards to the South Palmyra Rural Water District to fill the unexpired term ending April 30, 2028 Motion to approve the appointment.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Kristi Dunnagan

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

7.2 Reappoint Deanna Taylor to the Macoupin County Housing Board for a five year term ending August 16, 2030

Motion to approve the reappointment.

Moved by: Aaron Stayton

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Carried 14-0 

7.3 Appoint Mike Winsel to the Macoupin County Housing Board for a five year term ending August 16, 2030 

Motion to approve the appointment.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Tony Wiggins

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

7.4 Appoint Bill Carter to the Macoupin County Housing Board to fill the unexpired term of Amanda Steward ending August 21, 2026

Motion to approve the appointment.

Moved by: Aaron Stayton

Seconded by: John Blank

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

8. Petitions

8.1 Barr #54

8.2 North Otter #52

Motion to approve the petitions.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Aaron Stayton

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

9. Executive Session

10. Resolutions

10.1 Resolution Regarding FY 24-25 General Fund Budget Appropriations 

Duncan said the Finance Committee made the following recommendations: 

For the General Fund budget requests, Dugan with the Sheriff's department had requested the following moves be made:

 Decrease Sheriff budget by $5,000

 Increase Jail budget by $11,093

 Decrease Courthouse budget by $3,200

 Increase Purchase of New Vehicle by $21,007

 Increase Court Security by $1,600

 Increase Jail Medical by $24,500

 Increase Coroner budget by $21,000

 Decrease Capital Outlay by $180,000

 Increase Permanent Transfer by $306,247.49

 Increase revenue projection for Income Tax by $221,449.57

 Authorize a Permanent Transfer of $150,000 to COVID Grant Fund for future jail lock upgrade or other capital outlay project

 Authorize a Permanent Transfer of $30,000 for contingency back pay to the County Farm Fund

 Authorize a Permanent Transfer of $56,150 to Animal Control Fund for transferring the remaining balance of the estate donation to Animal Control

 Authorize a permanent transfer of $65,000 to Tort Liability Fund

These moves would be budget neutral.

Motion to adopt the resolution.

Moved by: Ryan Kilduff

Seconded by: Ross Adden

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

10.2 Resolution Regarding FY 24-25 Special Funds Appropriations

Duncan said the Finance Committee had recommended the following changes: 

 Document Storage Fund increase by $50,000 to budget for a permanent transfer into the General Fund 

 County Farm Fund - increase by $1,710 to cover appraisal work not initially budgeted for 

 COPs Grant School Fund - increase by $500 for a discrepancy between budgeted transfer and budgeted dollars 

 County Motor Fuel Fund needed an additional $180,000 to cover a budget shortfall 

 The Lotus Wind Road Use Agreement Fund had started this year but never had a budgeted for. It could be budgeted at the $1,000,000 that had been given to the county for the fund.

Motion to adopt the resolution.

Moved by: Aaron Stayton

Seconded by: Ross Adden

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0 

10.3 Resolution Establishing FY 25-26 General Fund and Special Fund Appropriations

Duncan said the Finance committee recommended the general fund budget at $10,360,821 in revenue with $10,346,161 in expenditures, projecting a small surplus of $14,660. Duncan also presented a five-year financial forecast showing increasing deficits in future years, reaching $713,000 by fiscal year 2031. The forecast assumes 2% annual growth in property taxes, 1% growth in intergovernmental revenue, flat fees and service charges, and 3% annual growth in salary and benefit costs. The county's financial position has improved significantly since 2010, with general fund reserves growing by $6.8 million and the budget stabilization fund now at $1.35 million. The county has also eliminated all long-term debt. However, with 58% of revenue coming from intergovernmental sources and 77% of expenses going to salary and benefits, the county has limited flexibility to address future deficits. 

There was also a discussion about the Supervisor of Assessments' salary. The Board left it where the budgeted dollars was left for the full request but the Finance Committee would review again the specific raise given.

Motion to adopt the resolution.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Tony Wiggins

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0 10.4 

Resolution accepting bids and awarding contract for Moore Cemetery Road Bridge replacement (22-07112-00-BR) 

Reinhard said this resolution would award the contract for the bridge replacement on Moore Cemetery Road. The low bid came in higher than the engineer's estimate by slightly more than 5% but it was still within reason.

Motion to adopt the resolution.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

10.5 Resolution Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement 

Barr said this resolution was the annual resolution for the public transportation program grant agreement. Motion to adopt the resolution.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Aaron Stayton

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

11. Ordinances

11.1 Animal Control Ordinance Amendment

Barr said this ordinance would amend in a policy for the tranquilizer projectile device use. It also cleaned up a couple fees to the current fee structure. 

Motion to adopt the ordinance.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Molly Rosentreter

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Nay Gordon Heuer

Carried 13-1

12. Unfinished Business

12.1 Potential Sale of County Property - North of Carlinville Garrison said that the only way for the county to sell would be through a sealed bid or live auction. They would not be able to sell it like a realtor sale. There was a statute that was used back in 2013 regarding the business park sale. Since this would not directly be offered with the intent of economic development only, the statute would apply. 

13. New Business 

13.1 Economic Development 5 Year Plan Discussion

Chirwa reported on grant activities and planning efforts. He announced that the county had received approval for an Energy Transition Community Grant of $842,000 from DCEO. This is the second year of funding that previously supported the grant manager's position and other community projects. Chirwa is also working with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to secure funding for an economic development plan. Initially, he expected the county might need to provide 20% matching funds, but the DCEO has offered to provide the matching funds instead. Chirwa mentioned that other grant opportunities, including a technology support victims fund grant for homeland or environmental justice, are currently on hold due to legal challenges. The board congratulated Joseph on securing his first grant since joining the county.

13.2 Construction Engineering Agreement with Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick for the construction of the Staunton-Bunker Hill Road (23-00108-01-FP) 

Reinhart said this agreement was recommended by the Road and Bridge committee. The employee assigned to the job resides in Staunton which should cut down on travel time and expense.

Motion to approve the agreement.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Kristi Dunnagan

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

13.3 Tranquilizer Projectile Device Purchase 

Barr said that Public Safety had approved the purchase a $350 tranquilizer projectile device for the Animal Control department to subdue dangerous or aggressive animals. They did not think they would need to use it often.

Motion to approve the purchase.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Leann Barr

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0 13.4 DOAP FY 26 Rural Intergovernmental Agreement 

Barr said this was the agreement that the resolution adopted earlier approved entering into for the public transportation program. 

Motion to approve the agreement. 

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan 

Seconded by: Holly Klausing 

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins 

Carried 14-0

13.5 Granting Power-to-Act to Finance Committee on End of Year Bills 

Duncan said the Finance committee had recommended a deadline of August 20th for submitting any bills before the end of the fiscal year and giving the Finance committee the power to approve them on August 25th. 

Motion to grant the power to act.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Kristi Dunnagan

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

14. Consent Agenda

14.1 Claims and Officers Report

Motion to approve the claims and officers report.

Moved by: Aaron Stayton

Seconded by: Jim Ibberson

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

14.2 Mileage and Per Diem

Motion to approve the mileage and per diem.

Moved by: Jim Ibberson

Seconded by: Ryan Kilduff

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

14.3 Communications

Monthly County Clerk Report - July 2025

Monthly Animal Control Report - July 2025

Monthly American Rescue Plan Report - July 2025

Monthly Courthouse HVAC Project Report - July 2025

Monthly Reconciled 50/50 Projects - July 2025

Monthly Open 50/50 Projects - July 2025

Letter from MCDD Re: Property Tax Distribution Uses

Motion to accept and place on file the communications.

Moved by: Kristi Dunnagan

Seconded by: Holly Klausing

Aye Ross Adden, Leann Barr, John Blank, Mark Dragovich, Kristi Dunnagan, Gordon Heuer, Jim Ibberson, Ryan Kilduff, Holly Klausing, Jon Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Larry Schmidt, Aaron Stayton, and Tony Wiggins

Carried 14-0

15. Matters of Recognition

16. Adjournment

Motion by Klausing, seconded by Blank to adjourn at 7:30 pm. All in favor.

Motion carried.

https://macoupincountyil.diligent.community/document/13389/43ounty25323042oard2532302D25323041ug253230313225323032303235/?printPdf=true&lastModified=638926941016730000