Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board for May 12, 2026

The Montgomery County Board met Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro, with 13 members present and none absent. County Board Chairman Doug Donaldson called the meeting to order. The board’s most consequential actions were the appointment of Cody Gudgel to a District 5 vacancy, the rejection of Donaldson’s recommended committee assignments on a 6-7 roll-call vote, the unanimous adoption of a county-wide code of conduct for land agents and energy project representatives, and the award of a $150,187.19 low bid to Thomas Hapner Construction of Hillsboro for the first phase of the EMA building project. Full coverage of those items appears in separate stories.

The board also set a $100,000 Coal Fund 375 spending cap for repairs at 127 N. Main Street, budgeted 5% FY2027 wage increases for non-union employees, and heard a request from Sheriff Tyson Holshouser for additional jail staff — all covered separately. Four residents used public comment to press the board over the proposed Pattern Energy Shoals project, and a fifth raised questions about opioid settlement funds. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. on a motion by Ethan Murzynski and a second from Chad Ruppert. The next regular full board meeting is Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Board Approves Culvert Resolution, Holds Second for Cost Study

The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-06 appropriating funds from the County Aid to Bridge Fund to pay one-half of an estimated $16,000 project to replace the culvert on North 23rd Ave. in Raymond and Rountree Townships. Roads & Bridges Committee Chairman Ethan Murzynski explained that because the culvert lies on the border between the two townships, the townships have agreed to split their half of the replacement cost. Murzynski moved approval with a second from Keith Hancock; all voted in favor. The resolution is recorded at Resolution Book 23, pages 283-284. Murzynski said he is not asking for approval of Resolution 2026-07, covering a 50/50 culvert replacement on E. 17th Rd. in Irving Township, at this time because County Engineer Cody Greenwood is researching costs for a box culvert instead of the previously proposed double-pipe culvert.

MFT Oil Lettings Awarded After Two-Month Delay

The board awarded the low bids for both the 2026 County MFT oil letting and the 2026 Township MFT oil letting. Murzynski said the Roads & Bridges Committee opened and reviewed the county bids; he moved the award with a second from Patty Whitworth, and all voted in favor. On the township letting, Whitworth moved and Rob Corso seconded; the motion carried with Chris Daniels and Murzynski abstaining. Both lettings had been postponed. Greenwood told the committee on April 8 that due to the ongoing Iranian conflict continuing to impact the price of oil, the Highway Department decided to postpone the lettings in hopes that prices would drop, and that he planned to advertise throughout April.

Boiler Failure Fills Courthouse Basement With Smoke

Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairman Mark Hughes reported 101 items on the monthly maintenance report, including problems with both riding mowers and an issue with the Historic Courthouse boiler that filled the basement with smoke on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hughes stated the boiler has since been shut down and is scheduled to be replaced using this year’s DCEO Energy Transition Grant funds. The maintenance department’s log for the month records the crew being called out for more than an hour around midnight on May 2, with the fire department dispatched, and describes insulation smoldering when the steam boiler was turned on. Crews shut the boiler down and used fans to clear the smoke. The department completed 65 work orders during the month.

Direct Energy Contract Approved Without Solar Accounts

The board approved a 36-month contract with Direct Energy for electricity and natural gas on a motion by Connie Beck and a second from Murzynski, all in favor. Beck reported that after the board declined to approve a new 36-month energy contract at its April meeting in order to allow Highway Department and Health Department accounts to be removed due to their solar energy use, the committee reviewed a new 36-month contract without those accounts, signed by County Board Administration on April 17. At the April 9 Finance & Budget meeting, Michael Skelton and Justin Heid of Tradition Energy appeared virtually and recommended accepting Direct Energy’s capacity pricing for 36 months at .0610 plus supplier cost, a slight increase, and fixed pricing for 36 months at $4.479, a slight decrease.

Safety Committee Policies Adopted

Donaldson said the HELP Safety Committee recommended approval of two policies. The board unanimously approved the Montgomery County Slip/Trip/Fall Prevention Policy on a motion by Donaldson and a second from Beck, recorded at Resolution Book 23, pages 272-276, and the Montgomery County Safe Lifting Policy on a motion by Donaldson and a second from Ruppert, recorded at pages 277-280. The committee has met, conducted building inspections and worked on the two policies, County Board Administrator Mike Plunkett reported to the Coordinating Committee in March.

Plains Solar Road Use Agreement Held Over Safety Concern

Murzynski reported the Plains Solar road use agreement was not yet ready, and Ruppert expressed concern that the entrance point proposed in the document may pose a safety concern. Murzynski said the committee agreed to take no action on the agreement until next month so discussion can continue on potential ways to increase visibility at the entrance point from the county road. The Plains Solar project is located south of Witt Avenue and east of E. 14th Road. The developer objected to some of the wording in the proposed agreement, and Greenwood forwarded the proposed revision to State’s Attorney Brian Shaw, according to April committee minutes.

Resident Says Opioid Settlement FOIA Went Unanswered

Linda Liebscher told the board she had questions regarding opioid settlement funds under the authority of the State’s Attorney. She said she sent a FOIA request on March 27, 2026, regarding the amount awarded to Montgomery County and how it has been spent, but the request has gone unanswered. She asked the board to help her obtain the information. The minutes record no response from the board or from Shaw, who was present at the meeting for questions on the State’s Attorney report.

4-H Team Thanks Board for Extension Levy Funding

Ethan Marley, Katelyn Marley and Fallon Knodle of the Montgomery County 4-H Youth Leadership Team thanked board members for funding 4-H through the Extension tax levy and highlighted the past year’s activities. Team members described life-long lessons learned through 4-H activities, community service, and skills leading to career opportunities. In closing, team members along with advisor Cheralee Vohlken presented treat bags to each board member.

Fire District Trustee Reappointed

The board unanimously reappointed Michael Broaddus as trustee to the Raymond Community Fire Protection District for a three-year term running from March 2026 to March 2029. Donaldson moved the reappointment with a second from Jeremy Jones.

New Plow Truck Arrives; Second Expected This Summer

Murzynski said the first of two 2027 Western Star 47X tandem dump trucks with snow plows and tailgate spreaders has arrived in Troy. Greenwood has already inspected and approved the new truck, which will be sent off to have the snow plow and tailgate spreader attached. The second truck should arrive this summer, with both ready for road use by the fall of 2026. Separately, Murzynski reported an uninsured motorist damaged a guardrail in Walshville Township; Shaw added a ticket is pending in court and his office is asking for restitution.

Animal Control Dog Count Down; Surplus Truck Sold for $1,515

Ruppert reported the number of dogs at Animal Control is down to 11, that the recent Kitten Yoga event went well, that a Puppies and Pints event is on the schedule, and that the front porch of the building has been framed. The committee also opened three sealed bids for the surplus Animal Control 2008 Ram 1500 ranging from $927 to $1,515.05 and voted to sell the vehicle for $1,515.05. The county’s April animal control report shows 10 animals impounded, two picked up, five door hangers left and six incidents requiring no further action.

Treasurer Files Claims for Nearly $6,000 in Unclaimed Property

Beck reported that Treasurer Nikki Lohman has filed claim forms requesting nearly $6,000 owed to Montgomery County in response to a recent letter from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Unclaimed Property division. Beck also reported both the Finance & Budget Committee and the Development & Personnel Committee will continue to research the possibility of increasing the county’s annual $15,000 contribution to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation heading into the FY2027 budget cycle.

Tax Cycle Data Moves to Treasurer; New Bill Sample Shown

Beck said SOA Tysha Mullen reported her office has completed its assessment portion of the property tax cycle and sent the data to the County Clerk. County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser added her office has now completed the tax extension portion and sent the data to the Treasurer, thanks in large part to the diligent work of Chief Deputy Tricia Maulding. Lohman presented a sample copy of the new property tax bill to be mailed later this month, and Leitheiser presented and described a new flyer providing education about how to read Montgomery County property tax bills. Mullen’s written report notes the office submitted the final abstract to the Illinois Department of Revenue on April 22 and received a final equalization factor of 1.0000 on May 1.

IS Director Reports Move to Cress Hill Tower Building

Donaldson said IS Director Curt Watkins reported his department has been working on updating door access in the Court Complex and will finish PC installs this week. Watkins will soon have a date for switching to the new phone system, has been involved in planning for use of the building at 127 N. Main, and stated the move into the new building at the Cress Hill tower will begin the week of May 11, 2026. Watkins also intends to have a department manpower request ready for budget hearings.

Liaison Reports

Russell Beason reported that as of July 1, Effingham County will become the grant agent for Central Illinois Public Transit. Murzynski reported hearing updates from school districts at the May 11, 2026, 708 Board meeting. Patty Whitworth pointed out the Health Department annual report on members’ desks. Daniels highlighted MCEDC Executive Director Kaitlyn Fath’s report and reported that flooring and security cameras are installed at the Senior Citizens Board. Hancock, Corso, Ruppert and Jones had nothing to report.