County Approves Courthouse Generator Contracts and America 250 Celebration Plans

Montgomery County Buildings and Grounds Committee | April 2026

Article Summary: The Buildings and Grounds Committee approved long-term maintenance agreements for the county’s backup generators and endorsed a comprehensive community celebration plan for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

County Buildings and Grounds Key Points:

• The committee approved a $1,858 planned maintenance agreement with Altorfer Power Systems for the Courthouse Complex generator.

• Extended warranties for the Courthouse and Jail generators were approved for a combined total of $4,190.

• The county rejected a leasing offer from the State of Illinois Department of Revenue to rent the County Board Chairman’s office for $134.90 a month.

• A proposal for a manual snow blade for the Sheriff’s Department four-by-four was approved at a cost of $1,379.

The Montgomery County Buildings and Grounds Committee on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, approved thousands of dollars in facility maintenance contracts and greenlit the City of Hillsboro’s proposed plans to celebrate the American semiquincentennial at the Historic Courthouse.

Desiree Cleary, representing Altorfer Power Systems, presented the committee with a planned maintenance agreement for the primary generator at the Courthouse Complex. The committee unanimously recommended the $1,858 maintenance contract, which will align with the existing agreement for the Jail generator and expire in July 2028.

The committee also approved two extended warranties from Altorfer for the county’s newly installed backup power systems. The board recommended a one-time fee of $2,140 for the Courthouse Complex generator’s extended warranty, alongside a $2,050 extended warranty for the Montgomery County Jail generator.

In real estate matters, County Board Administrator Mike Plunkett informed the committee that the State of Illinois Department of Revenue had expressed interest in renting office space within the county facilities. Following an onsite measurement of the current County Board Chairman’s office, the state offered a rental rate of $11.73 per square foot annually. Plunkett noted this would result in monthly rent of just $134.90, or $1,618.80 per year. The committee universally agreed the offer was too low and directed Plunkett to negotiate a higher rate with the state.

The committee also resolved a lingering equipment debate, opting to outfit an existing county vehicle for winter weather rather than purchasing a standalone snow blower. After reviewing multiple proposals from Maintenance Director Phil Ernst, the committee voted to recommend the purchase of a manual snow blade for $1,379, which will be attached to the Sheriff’s Office four-by-four vehicle. The motion passed with a majority vote, with board member Evan Young voting against it.

Additionally, Hillsboro Community and Economic Development Director Melissa Smith presented the city’s “America 250 Kickoff” plans, scheduled for May 29. The celebration, honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, will feature the lighting of the Historic Courthouse, an address from the Mayor of Hillsboro, a choir performance, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The event will also feature food trucks, live music, and veteran banners. The committee unanimously approved the city’s celebratory use of the courthouse grounds.

In a separate aesthetic update, the committee approved a request from Imagine Hillsboro representative Bob Schwander to relocate the decorative flower pots from the northeast corner to the southeast corner of the Historic Courthouse.

Meeting Briefs