Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee for June 4, 2026

Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee Meeting | June 4, 2026

The Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee met at 8:33 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the County Board Room on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro, working through 10 items in nearly two hours — the longest of the county’s five committee meetings this cycle — with five of six members present and no public comment. The FY2027 budget discussion dominated: County Board Administration told members the coming audit could reveal a General Fund deficit of around $500,000 for FY2025, Treasurer Nikki Lohman anticipates limited levy flexibility for FY2027, and two department heads pressed for additional staff against that backdrop (see full story). The committee also recommended 11 Coal Fund 375 payments led by $15,405 to C&C Heating & Cooling (see full story), and reviewed reports showing the fund holds just over $11 million after a $200,085 royalty payment in April (see full story).

Committee Chair Connie Beck led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Beck, Chris Daniels, Rob Corso, Dr. Patty Whitworth and Evan Young were present; Doug Donaldson was absent. Also attending were Mike Plunkett and Lucas Nowlan of County Board Administration, Treasurer Nikki Lohman, Supervisor of Assessments Tysha Mullen, Maintenance Director Phil Ernst, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser, MCEDC Executive Director Kaitlyn Fath and Information Services Director Curt Watkins. The committee adjourned at 10:28 a.m. Minutes were submitted by acting secretary Mike Plunkett, as deputized by County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.

Committee Backs Circuit Clerk Audit Extension

The committee discussed the need for extensions on audit deadlines, and Treasurer Nikki Lohman anticipated audit reports will be presented in July. Dr. Patty Whitworth moved to recommend approval of the Circuit Clerk Certification of County Board Extension for Completion of the Annual Audit, seconded by Rob Corso. All were in favor and the motion carried. The minutes do not state the length of the extension, the original deadline, or the reason it could not be met. Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins attended the meeting; the minutes do not record him speaking to the item. As a committee action, the vote forwards the certification to the full Montgomery County Board rather than granting the extension.

Tax Bills at Printer; First Installment Due July 10

Treasurer Nikki Lohman reported tax bills are at the printer, with the first installment due July 10 and the second installment due Sept. 4. Lohman also anticipates that compliance with the new tax sale law will require passage of a County Board resolution. The minutes do not identify the legislation, describe what compliance would require, or give a timeline for the resolution. Lohman had told the Coordinating Committee on May 28 that bills should go out soon and that she anticipated new state legislation regarding the tax sale process. The item appeared under other business; no motion was recorded.

New Field Assessor Nearly Finished With Coursework

The committee reviewed and discussed the Supervisor of Assessments office report. In response to a question, Supervisor of Assessments Tysha Mullen reported that new field assessor Larry Lemon has nearly completed coursework. The minutes do not identify who asked the question, state what coursework is required, give a completion date, or say when Lemon joined the office. Illinois assessment officials are generally subject to state coursework and certification requirements. No motion or vote was recorded on the report, which was listed on the agenda for update and approval.

County Helping Taxing Bodies Obtain Grant Numbers

Montgomery County Board Assistant Administrator Lucas Nowlan reviewed his report on helping taxing bodies obtain SAM and GATA numbers, as well as providing grant application and administration information. The committee discussed opportunities to provide help to taxing bodies moving forward. The minutes do not spell out either acronym, identify which taxing bodies have been helped, describe what the assistance involves, or record what opportunities were discussed. No motion or vote was recorded. The registration numbers are prerequisites for organizations seeking certain grant funding.

Committee Pays Bills and Payroll, Adjourns After Two Hours

The committee closed with a motion to pay the bills and payroll by Evan Young, seconded by Rob Corso, which carried with all in favor, followed by a motion to adjourn by Chris Daniels, seconded by Dr. Patty Whitworth, which also carried. The minutes do not include a bills total, a payroll figure, a vendor list or a fund breakdown. The meeting ran from 8:33 a.m. to 10:28 a.m., roughly twice the length of any other Montgomery County committee meeting in the same cycle.