Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board for June 9, 2026

Montgomery County Board Meeting | June 9, 2026

The Montgomery County Board met for 54 minutes on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro, seating a new member three minutes after the gavel and moving through a 17-item consent agenda, five committee reports, two appointments and a public comment on wind energy before adjourning at 6:24 p.m. The evening’s largest pieces of business are covered separately: the treasurer’s warning that the pending FY2025 audit will likely show a General Fund deficit of about $500,000; the hiring of outside counsel to review the county’s wind and solar ordinances amid a committee chairman’s criticism of Pattern Energy; eleven purchases from the county’s $11 million Coal Fund 375; the transfer of public transit grant administration from Shelby County to Effingham County; Litchfield’s assertion of authority over the Elm Lawn Solar project; a $40,000 county share for an Irving Township culvert; a road use agreement with Plains Solar; a request for a new information services position; the seating of Roy Schieferdecker and a split vote on committee assignments; a five-year IEPA agreement; and a $650 Otis Elevator surcharge left unpaid.

The board approved the minutes of its May 12, 2026, meeting on a motion by Jeremy Jones and a second by Mark Hughes, approved the consent agenda on a motion by Hughes and a second by Keith Hancock, and approved the committee reports and minutes on a motion by Hughes and a second by Patty Whitworth. Mileage and per diem claims and the bill and payroll list each passed on unanimous roll calls of the 13 members present.

Jail Sewer Blockage Traced to Mattress Stuffing, Rags

Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairman Mark Hughes reported on the lengthy process the maintenance crew undertook to clear the sewer pipes at the Montgomery County Jail. After the blockage was removed, Hughes said, it was discovered that it had been caused by both mattress stuffing and rags being forced down the pipe. The minutes do not record how long the work took, what it cost, or whether the jail’s operations were affected. No motion was taken on the maintenance report, and the item appears on the agenda under the county’s standard “Update/Approval” heading.

127 N. Main Sewer Work Nearing Completion

Hughes reported that two 36-inch ADA doors have been installed at 127 N. Main, the county building housing the new specialty courts and probation offices, and that sewer work is anticipated to be complete within two weeks. Under the consent agenda, Probation Office representative Banee Ulrici thanked the County Board for its investment in the new specialty court facility, then thanked the Maintenance Department for its work on the building. A cost tracker in the board packet shows $22,715.19 spent against a $100,000 repairs and improvements budget for the building.

Board Appoints Meisner, Hampton to Fill Vacancies

The board made two appointments. On a motion by Chairman Doug Donaldson and a second by Jeremy Jones, members voted to appoint Matthew Meisner to fill the commissioner vacancy on the Harvel #2 Drainage District. On a motion by Donaldson and a second by Connie Beck, they voted to appoint Diane Hampton to fill the commissioner vacancy on the Montgomery County Housing Authority Board. All were in favor on both. The minutes record no discussion, no term lengths and no information about either appointee.

Assistant Administrator Nowlan Departs for Israel, Graduate Study

Donaldson announced that the June meeting was the final one for County Board Assistant Administrator Lucas Nowlan, who will be headed to Israel for an archeological dig in a few weeks before beginning work toward a master’s degree in biblical archeology at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Attendees applauded Nowlan for his service to the county. Nowlan’s report on the county’s grant assistance program for local taxing bodies was reviewed by the Finance & Budget Committee at the same meeting. The minutes do not indicate whether the county intends to fill the position.

Fair Board Invites County Board to June 24 Opening Ceremony

The Montgomery County Fair Board has invited members of the County Board to join them on the Grandstand Stage for the fair’s Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Butler. Donaldson told members they should bring their invitation for free admission and VIP parking. Donaldson also read a thank-you note from the family of the late County Board member Bill Bergen. The minutes do not state when Bergen died or which district he represented.

Highway Department Consolidates Two Office Roles

Roads & Bridges Committee Chairman Ethan Murzynski told the board that the resignation of the front lobby secretary at the Highway Department had prompted a search for a replacement. After reevaluation, he said, the remaining administrative staff person has now taken on both roles at the Highway Department. The agenda item was titled “Secretary/Payroll Clerk Resignation Update/Approval.” The minutes do not name either employee, state when the resignation took effect, or say whether the consolidation carries a pay change.

Utility Permit Template Under Review

Murzynski said the Roads & Bridges Committee reviewed a template for right-of-way concerns published jointly by the Township Officials of Illinois, the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Association of County Engineers. The countywide right-of-way procedure will be addressed by both the committee and the full board next month, he said. The template in the board packet, reprinted from the March 2022 issue of Township Perspective, explains that a permit from the road authority does not grant permission from landowners who own the underlying fee simple interest in the right of way, and that contractors installing fiber optic and other utility lines in rural areas may also need an easement from the landowner.

Courthouse Porch Lighting Estimate Due Next Month

Hughes said the Buildings & Grounds Committee is exploring options to replace the lighting on the south porch of the Historic Courthouse and expects to have an estimate next month. A photograph in the board packet shows the porch, with three pendant fixtures hanging beneath a white columned canopy against the courthouse’s red brick facade.

MCEDC Reports on Grants, Cell Coverage, Chamber Talks

Development & Personnel Committee Chairman Chad Ruppert reviewed the monthly report from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation describing meetings attended and program of work progress. He said Executive Director Kaitlyn Fath continues to work on a Strong Communities Grant and cell phone services, and that at the request of committee member Jeremy Jones, she will offer assistance to Waggoner in promoting the Green Diamond Bike Trail. The corporation’s FY2027 budget will be on next month’s committee agenda. The packet report lists eleven priorities, including redevelopment of the ASARCO Taylor Springs Superfund Site in partnership with the Village of Taylor Springs, expanding cellular coverage in county “dead zones” with AT&T, and bringing the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce under the MCEDC administrative framework — a project the report describes as in limbo.

Animal Control Reports 20 Animals in Care, Grant Work Complete

Ruppert said the monthly animal control report noted 12 dogs and 8 cats at the Animal Control facility, and added that DCEO grant work at the facility is complete. A May inventory in the packet breaks that down to 12 dogs and no puppies, with 4 cats and 4 kittens. It also lists animals in foster care: 16 dogs and puppies and 35 cats and kittens. An incident log for May records 17 animals impounded and 4 picked up. Warden Tricia Papin was present for questions under the consent agenda.

Board of Review Opens; Assessors Face June 15 Deadline

Finance & Budget Chairwoman Connie Beck said the committee reviewed and discussed the Supervisor of Assessments office report, and noted that new field assessor Larry Lemon has nearly completed coursework. Supervisor of Assessments Tysha Mullen’s June 4 report states that the Board of Review opened June 1 and that complaint forms and information will be updated on the county website soon. Township assessors are wrapping up their 2026 work and are on schedule to have it into the office by the June 15 deadline, the report states. Mullen also reported meeting with Nokomis city officials about their TIF district and how assessments are handled.

Grant Assistance Program Reaches Dozens of Taxing Bodies

Beck described a report by Montgomery County Board Assistant Administrator Lucas Nowlan about helping taxing bodies obtain SAM and GATA numbers to apply for grants online, as well as providing grant application and administration information. The committee discussed opportunities to provide grant writing and administration help to taxing bodies moving forward. Nowlan’s report states he completed an online training course, synthesized the material into a Grant Reference Manual for the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, and began contacting entities individually after a mayors meeting on Jan. 28, working through municipalities, then park, fire and library districts, and finishing with townships. An attached tracking sheet covers 19 municipalities, six libraries, four park districts, six fire protection districts and 18 townships. Many entities have promised to review the material but have not proceeded further, the report states, and it suggests a plan of action may be needed.

Deputy Circuit Clerk Retires After 19 Years

Under the consent agenda, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins was present for questions and added that Deputy Circuit Clerk Selena Brazel retired on June 1, 2026, after 19 years with the county. County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser reminded the board that members will be commissioning election judges next month.

Small Business, Energy Transition Grants Advance

Ruppert said the Development & Personnel Committee will review applications for supplemental Small Biz Grant awards next month. On the DCEO Energy Transition Grant, he reported that the first round will be complete when the supplemental Small Biz Grants have been awarded, that Round 2 is two-thirds complete, and that the Round 3 grant agreement is anticipated any day. No motion was recorded on either item.