SHELBYVILLE, IL. — The Shelby County Board heard a Highway Department and Zoning Administrator/Emergency Management Agency (EMA) report and then held a very lengthy discussion on payment of committee meetings for Board Chairman Bruce Cannon.

County Highway Engineer Alan Spesard told the board he had two petitions, an agreement and some updates. 

Spesard then asked the board to approve a petition from Big Springs Township to replace a culvert at an estimated cost of $3,000.

He next asked the board to approve a petition from Cold Springs Township to also replace a culvert at an estimated cost of $5,000.  Both petitions were approved and the costs would be split between the county and the township.

Spesard then asked the board to approve an engineering agreement with Shasteen and Associates for a bridge near Strasburg.  Spesard explained there were two bridges in the same area that need to be replaced and with approval of this engineering agreement that work can be done at the same time. 

“IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) called me and said you need another engineering agreement even though both (bridges) will be replaced under one contract,” Spesard told the board.

This was approved.

Spesard next gave the board some updates.  He talked about two bridges that were on the June letting at IDOT.  Spesard told the board the second installment of the Capital Bill funds was released and the counties and townships will be receiving their proportionate share.

“I believe we should receive a check in August of this year for $65,259,” Spesard said.

Spesard also told the board a railroad crossing in Todds Point Township has been approved for lights and gates.  This project is funded 100 percent through the Illinois Commerce Commission and the railroad.

Next Zoning Administrator/EMA coordinator Jared Rowcliffe gave the board his report.

“For zoning I issued 12 building permits, 6 were for new residences, 5 were for accessory buildings and one was a residential addition,” Rowcliffe told the board.

Rowcliffe also told the board the Planning Commission will meet July 21 at 7 p.m. and the Board of Appeals will meet July 28 at 7 p.m..

Next Rowcliffe told the board he had received the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) grant and equipment and projects have been ordered.

Rowcliffe also told the board that he attended an active shooter exercise at Eastern Illinois University on July 6 as an evaluator.

He reminded the board that July is Pet and Livestock Awareness Month.

Finally Rowcliffe asked the board to approve a mutual aid agreement.  In essence if Shelby County would have a major emergency, with this agreement, we could asked other counties for mutual aid.  The board approved this agreement.

A great deal of the remaining board meeting was devoted to a discussion between Board Chairman Bruce Cannon and Fees and Salary Committee chairman Roger Pauley on whether Cannon should be reimbursed for a meeting he had with a county resident about that resident’s tax bill.  

When Pauley was called upon to report what the Fees and Salary Committee had to bring back to the board, he talked about Cannon’s request to be paid.

“There was some discrepancies that we had as far as committee meetings or meetings that are not committee meetings,” said Pauley  “If your neighbor calls you as a county board member and you go out and chat with him and stuff like that, personally I don’t think that is a committee meeting, so we are working on that.” 

Cannon said he needed a better definition of what he can and cannot do as county chairman.

“Whether or not this is the sort of thing the county wants me to do, if you don’t want me to do it, I won’t do it,” Cannon said.

In other committee reports Animal Control Committee reported they have narrowed down the applications for the new Animal Control Warden when George Donley retires.  That committee will now call back six of the applicants for a second interview.

The Law Enforcement Committee reported the Sheriff’s office has hired two new deputies.

There were no appointments made.