County Board hears Hlth Dept. comments
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Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Writer
(TAYLORVILLE) — The Christian County Board met on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Courtroom A was the setting as the regular meeting room was jam packed with members of the public, sitting in listening to the two-hour, 18-minute meeting.
Under public comments, many Public Health Department employees, past and present, spoke out about the Christian County Health Board. The Health Board placed Administrator Greg Seiders on administrative leave on Friday, Aug. 12. Seiders is currently under investigation for undisclosed reasons.
Some of the employees to speak were Kent DeLay, Kelly Bartlow, Jane Griffith, Beth Markwell and Jason Domonousky. All were unpleased with the decision to place Seiders on leave and most of the Health Board’s previous actions.
Under committee reports, Highway, Building, Grounds, Environmental, Zoning and Welfare Committee, Chairman Dale Livingston reported on the meetings of Aug. 4 and 9.
Among the committee recommendations from those meeting, the Board and Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettlekamp approved the relocation of the Zoning Office back to the Courthouse. In addition, they adopted the Architectural Standards Handbook as their own.
Executive, Personnel, Liquor and Legislative Chairman Craig Corzine reported on their Aug. 8 meeting. He made the motion to start the appointment process of a new Zoning Officer, with someone sitting in on the interview process with County Board Chairman Matt Wells. The Christian County Animal Control Humane Investigator responsibilities were also approved.
Several requests for funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were made. Craig Paulek of the Christian County Fair Association, requested funds for projects at the fairgrounds. Those include resurfacing roads for nearly $40,000 and a new concrete floor in the hog building with a $60,000 price tag. The matter was sent to the Executive, Personnel, Liquor and Legislative Committee for further discussion.
Josh Shallenberger and Nate Miller, representing Shelby Electric Coop, requested ARPA funds for their Broadband internet company to expand city-like internet fiber connection to the untouched rural areas of the county. Cost of the improvements was not disclosed. The topic was also sent to committee.
A $6,180 lift was added to one of the trucks at Animal Control. The funds are coming from the Animal Control budget and an Illinois Public Risk grant. The grant needs to be spent on safety equipment by the end of 2022.
Dollar General in Morrisonville asked for an Occupancy Certificate. Since there is no Zoning Officer, the store came to Chairman Wells to provide the certificate. A motion to approve the certificate if Christian County States Attorney Wes Poggenpohl agrees, passed on a vote by a show of hands, 8-7.
Member Ken Franklin said the certificate is usually granted after all the final building inspections, such as plumbing, electrical and heating and air conditioning, and this was something he didn’t feel the Board should be involved.
Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor Ron Brown presented details of the tree removal. The removal will cost $800 and will be done sometime in the fall.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has requested a meeting regarding the Solid Waste Department. With there being no Solid Waste Officer, members Thomas Snyder, Jr. and Wells will meet with the IEPA. Snyder, Jr. holds a Class 1 Waste/Water Treatment Operator in Training title. A date was not set.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
