Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board Development & Personnel Committee for August 3, 2026

The Montgomery County Board’s Development & Personnel Committee met for nearly two and a half hours on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, working through a 14-item agenda dominated by grants and energy. The committee heard pitches from eight small business grant applicants and voted to recommend awards (see “Montgomery County Panel Hears Eight Small Business Grant Pitches”); recommended a $30,000 contract with the county’s economic development corporation in place of a dues increase (see “Montgomery County Committee Backs $30,000 Grant-Assistance Contract With MCEDC”); and voted to amend an intergovernmental agreement to recommend a $22,000 payment to the Village of Waggoner for bike trail maintenance (see “County Panel Backs $22,000 Waggoner Payment for Green Diamond Bike Trail”).

On energy, the committee was told Litchfield anticipates waiving jurisdiction over review of the Elm Lawn Solar project (see “Litchfield Expected to Waive Review of Elm Lawn Solar”) and heard a company response on landowner contact practices (see “Pattern Energy Defends ‘Do Not Call’ Practice”). The meeting ran from 5 p.m. to 7:24 p.m. in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. Of the committee’s six members, five attended; Jeremy Jones was absent, as was Board Chairman Doug Donaldson, who is listed in the attendance line. Three of the four recorded motions on substantive business were made by Russ Beason. All votes were unanimous.

Wind and Solar Ordinance Drafts Returned for Review

County Board Administration distributed draft wind and solar ordinances amended by Attorney Andrew Keyt, incorporating changes the committee requested last month. Committee Chair Chad Ruppert asked members to review the drafts before next month’s meeting. No motion was made and no vote was taken. The minutes do not describe the amendments, state how many drafts were distributed, or say when the committee expects to act. The county’s committees have been working on wind and solar siting rules through the spring and summer of 2026; at the committee’s July 6 meeting, members requested three additions to the drafts covering recorded leases, drainage district agreements and manufacturer operating-manual setbacks. Whether those additions appear in the amended drafts is not stated.

Committee Voices Support for Nuclear Energy

County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser and County Board Administrator Mike Plunkett explained to the committee “the process that led to the nuclear energy submission to the Illinois Commerce Commission,” according to the minutes, and “the committee expressed support for nuclear energy.” No motion was made and no vote was taken. The minutes do not state who made the submission, what it sought, when it was filed, whether Montgomery County was a party to it, or what site or project it concerns. The record contains no further detail on the item, which appeared as agenda item 13 of 14. It is the first reference to nuclear energy in Montgomery County committee materials reviewed by this news organization.

Union Talks to Begin With Local 1084

Committee Chair Chad Ruppert will begin discussions with Local 1084 before initial negotiation meetings are scheduled, the committee was told under the agenda item “Union Negotiation Update/Approval.” No motion was made. This is the first time county committee minutes reviewed have identified the union by local number. The minutes do not name the parent or international union with which Local 1084 is affiliated, do not identify which county employees it represents, do not state how many employees are covered, and do not give the expiration date of the current contract. At the committee’s July 6 meeting, Ruppert was reported to be planning to meet with the union in August to exchange proposals and schedule meetings.

Handbook Language to Follow New Legislation

Under the agenda item “Employee Handbook (NICU) Update/Approval,” the committee was told that Bushue HR will suggest language required by new legislation. No motion was made and no vote was taken. The minutes do not identify the legislation, its effective date, or what handbook provisions would change. Bushue HR, an Effingham-based human resources consultant, has advised the county on several workstreams in 2026, including a return-to-work program and recommendations on verifying suspicious Freedom of Information Act requests. The acronym “NICU,” which appears in the agenda item title, is not expanded anywhere in the county’s minutes.

Eight Dogs, 18 Cats at Animal Control

Animal Control Warden Tricia Papin reported eight dogs and 18 cats at the county facility and described two upcoming events, according to the minutes. No motion was made and no vote was taken. The minutes do not identify the two events, give dates or locations for them, or record any figures on adoptions, intakes or animals in foster care. The county’s shelter population figures have moved sharply this summer: at the committee’s July 6 meeting, Papin reported 37 calls in June, 15 animals adopted out in the first week of July, and a June inventory of 11 dogs, two puppies, three cats and 11 kittens on site, with 16 dogs and puppies and 48 cats and kittens in foster homes.

State Agency Asks County to Resubmit Grant Items

County Board Administration reported that DCEO has requested resubmission of several application items “that have been lost at their level,” the minutes state. No motion was made and no vote was taken. The minutes do not identify which items were lost, which phase or application they belong to, whether any deadline or funding is at risk, or how long resubmission is expected to take. The DCEO Energy Transition Grant has funded county work through multiple phases in 2026; the acronym DCEO is never expanded in a Montgomery County document.

Committee Recommends Payment of Bills

The committee closed its business with a motion by Russ Beason, seconded by Rob Corso, to pay the bills. All members present voted in favor. The minutes state no total, list no vendors or payees, and attach no voucher schedule. As with all committee actions, payment is a recommendation to the full County Board rather than an authorization; no money moves until the full board acts. Chris Daniels then moved to adjourn, seconded by Roy Schieferdecker, and the meeting ended at 7:24 p.m. The minutes were submitted by acting secretary Mike Plunkett, as deputized by County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.