The Shelby County Board was given a Lincoln Thornton Debate print; approved some documents for C.E.F.S; approved a county farm lease renewal and a cooperative agreement between the sheriff’s office and the Corps of Engineers, in their meeting Wednesday morning.

Local attorney and president of the Shelby County Lincoln Heritage, Whitney “Whit” Hardy presented a framed photo of Robert Root’s painting of the Lincoln - Thornton Debate to the county board. This photo will be hung on the first floor of the courthouse.

Next the board approved routine annual documents for C.E.F.S. Shelby County Transit.

The board then heard a report from Robert Jordan, chairman of the Farm Committee. Jordan told the board the committee was thinking about raising the rent for the tenant who farms the ground but with the price of grain, they changed their minds and keep the rent the same as last year.

“The committee decided to leave the lease the same as it was for one more year,” Jordan told the board. “The lease calls for $140 on 205 acres which comes out to $28,700.”

Next the board heard from Shelby County Sheriff Michael Miller concerning the Lake Shelbyville Law Enforcement Services Cooperative Agreement. This agreement allows for the sheriff’s deputies to work with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to patrol the campgrounds and lake.

Board Chairman Paul Brooks said, “It is my understanding that if they (Corps of Engineers) call us, we have to go (respond to the complaint) anyway.”

Miller said the county does not have to enter this contract but should because the Corps is paying us to do what we would be required to do anyway.

“This is a good agreement because visibility of police officers and the deputies in the campgrounds is a deterrent,” said Miller.

Miller said the deputies can accomplish these patrols while doing their routine patrols.

“In other words the deputy is not obligated to spend three hours in campgrounds but rather do what would be required anyway and the Corps of Engineers are paying the county for these patrols.”

The contract calls for 428 hours of patrol between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The cost per hour would be $57.88 for a total of $24,772.

Next the board heard a Highway Engineer’s report from County Engineer Alan Spesard. Spesard told the board the Tower Hill Road project that will be built in Tower Hill will be started this summer. Spesard also told the board that March 5 will be a very busy day with 5 different lettings. Two will concern oil; one for the annual cold mix letting and two construction projects that will be let that day.

Under committee reports Dick Clark told the board Shelby County Community Services (SCCS) has donated a building for the Dive Team to store boats and equipment. Clark said the utilities for that building were still in the SCCS name and have been switched to the Dive Team.

Under the Chairman’s updates Chairman Brooks voiced some frustration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) officials not being candid about the progress of bids for Eagle Creek.

“The final proposals were due February 5 by noon and they (IDNR) are suppose to let us know by the end of the month what is going down,” said Brooks. “In the end result it doesn’t matter what goes out there as long as it brings in tax money.”

Finally Brooks asked the board to approve one appointment. That appointment was for Jim Looft to replace Michael Dove who stepped down from the Revolving Loan Fund.