Heather McClelland

The adjourned meeting addressed several items, including a lack of response from the Little Creek Drainage District representative, and the approval of an appointment for Steve Krupps to the Brown County Fire Protection District for a three-year term commencing April 1, 2024. A discussion regarding a postage meter was tabled until the next meeting. The Board approved a Budget Amendment for Public Health to adjust income and expense line items due to a budgeting delay. Approvals were also granted for the Federal Aid Match Resolution and a related Joint Agreement, both under Section #23-00079-00-PP. Furthermore, the Board approved the Certificate of Authority to Vote for the County Engineer to act on behalf of the Highway Department, and also approved the Certificate of Authority by Bylaws for the same department. A resolution was passed designating March 19th, 2024, as National Agriculture Day. Old business included deciding to postpone action on immigration resolutions until a local issue arises and noting the installation of new generators at the Courthouse and Highway Department. In committee reports, the Finance Committee chair announced budget process informational meetings for April. Following a closed session, the meeting was adjourned.

The adjourned meeting addressed several administrative and financial actions. Key approvals included a Tax Deed Resolution to deed a specific parcel to an individual, the adoption of an amended predictable fee schedule for the Recorder's Office, and several budget amendments for the Ambulance, General Fund, and Public Health Funds, involving adjustments to contractual services, income, expenses, and salaries. Numerous line-item transfers were approved across the Ambulance Fund, General Fund, and Public Health Fund to cover various expenses. Additionally, the board adopted the 2025 County Board meeting and Holiday calendar, approved the appointment of an auditor for the 2024 audit, approved a resolution for the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, approved the 2025 Grand Jury list, and approved the 2025 budget, levy, and appropriations. Decisions regarding the Missouri/Ripley Consolidation next steps were discussed, and the adoption of a specific HSA plan for county employees and the 2025 County ICRMT insurance renewal were approved. The board tabled discussion on the 2024 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan until the next meeting pending receipt of further documentation. Old business noted that a vote on courthouse concrete work bids will occur at the next meeting.

The meeting addressed several key items, including an update on the Little Creek Drainage District construction progress, which is awaiting lower river levels to resume. A resident requested the County consider funding a dog pound and dog catcher for the entire county, referencing existing co-op arrangements with Mt Sterling and difficulty in hiring an animal control officer. Attention was also drawn to county-jurisdiction streets in Versailles that require attention. Several American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) ordinances were approved, allocating funds for new shop doors at the Highway Department, a desk and chair for the State's Attorney's Office, and a poll place scanner and tabulator for the County Clerk's office. The board approved Highway bid tabs and a specific contract, appointed Mike McLaughlin to a five-year term on the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District, and approved the consolidation plan for Ripley and Missouri Townships. A vacancy on the Brown County Board was declared. Old business included a review of remaining ARPA funds and bids received for Courthouse soffit painting and repair.

The meeting, which was adjourned from the Annual meeting in September 2024, focused on several administrative and financial matters for the current board, followed by the swearing-in and installation of new board members for the upcoming term. Key discussions included approving claims against various funds, a report on an easement agreement for the County Farm, and an encouragement for the Insurance Committee to continue work on the HSA option. Significant actions involved approving budget amendments for the Workmen's Comp and Tort Judgement Funds, and approving several line-item transfers across various highway and motor fuel funds. The board also reviewed and approved a bid for concrete work at the Courthouse, tabled the 2025 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan until January, and approved resolutions concerning the County Engineer's Salary and the MFT Resolution Sec # 25-00000-00-GM. Annual reports for the Sheriff, County Clerk, and Treasurer were also approved. The meeting concluded with Chairman Ferrill reminding new members about mandatory FOIA and OMA training.

The board meeting addressed several key agenda items. Discussions included updates on the Little Creek Drainage District work progress, and approval of an enterprise boundary ordinance for Adams/Brown County to support an expansion by United Alloy, expected to create over 100 jobs. The board approved the appointment of Tana Parsano to the Board of Review and Farmland Review Board. The Sheriff requested and received approval to close the Bail Bond Savings Account due to new monthly bank fees, transferring the balance to the General Fund. An update on ARPA funds indicated most initial funds were obligated, leading to the approval of ARPA ordinances for generator materials at the Courthouse and Highway Department, and for a snow plow for the tandem truck. The board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement for shared County Engineer services between Pike and Brown County, including salary adjustments. Concerns regarding dog issues in Versailles were noted, and the board tasked the State's Attorney with investigating the possibility of virtual meeting attendance options under the Open Meetings Act. New business included discussions on obtaining Stop the Bleed packets and CPR training for Courthouse employees, and updates on the Missouri/Ripley Consolidation public notice process. Claims against various funds were approved following a discussion about proper minute documentation for committee claim approvals.