First Responders recognized at County Board Meeting

DEBORAH SIMCOX              

Correspondent

      In the Public Comment portion of the August 12 Fayette County Board Meeting, more than 10 individuals appeared and offered positive feedback to the Board regarding Fayette County Animal Control Administrator Loralyn Valencia. Valencia had recently been targeted with a complaint.

In Dept. Head Reports, County Clerk & Administrator Jessica Barker said that the website was being updated; and applause was given to the First Responders who worked diligently on the recent incident of the drown 9 year old female.

      In County Board Committee Reports, Public Building Committee Chair Mack Payne reported that the committee is still working with the Goldberg Group regarding improvements to the jail;

  The following items from the CONSENT AGENDA & ITEMS CONTINUED FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE CONSENT AGENDA were approved:

   •Amusement License Renewal for Hawg Diner,

   •Sunvest Solar Application – represented by developer Ryan Fulton for a 7-8 acre area southwest of I-70 between Brownstown and Vandalia.

  This item was temporarily tabled:

   •Green Key Solar Application, represented by Project Manager Desiree Noisette for a 30 acre in approximately the same area as Sunvest, which then was passed with a roll call vote,

  These items were tabled until the next meeting:

   •Solaramerican Solar application – represented by Randy Chamberlin, tabled until more information is received, and

   •Solaramerican Solar application –represented by Jerrell Whitten, tabled until more information is received.

  NEW BUSINESS:

   •Nomination by the Fayette County Republican Central Committee for a recommendation to fill the vacancy in District #2,

   •Appointment of Dan Lutz, District #2 Board Member, to replace Merrell Collins, who resigned last month,

   •Approval of (Sheriffs’) Union Side Letter for Ryan Scott for EMA Coordinator,

   •Discussion on Veterans’ Assistance Commission, (VAC) led by Superintendent Tom Luke, waiting on budget issues for a levy request to hire one employee, who must be certified, for the Veterans’ Assistance Commission. The Health Department has offered a room for the Commission to use as an office.

   •Fayette County Board Resolution #20215-8-12-A regarding Certificate 2021239, about getting the unpaid taxes Board approved in order to get the property sold and back on the tax rolls,

   •Approval of Ordinance #2025-8-12-A, amending the budget for previously approved highway truck purchase. The ARPA money prearranged during COVID needed to be allotted to a different use, and

   •Resolution #2025-08-12-B, General Services Administration (GSA) Illinois State Surplus Property account for EMA, regarding equipment acquired by Federal Agencies.

      The next regular Fayette County Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall. The Public is encouraged to attend.