Southern Illinois News

Union County Board of Commissioners met May 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Roll Call

ROLL CALL

Commissioners in attendance were Commissioner's Max Miller, Darryl Harvell, Kent Pitts, Brandon Bierstedt and David Gould.

II. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The Union County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting in the Union County Courthouse Community Room at 08:30am. County Chairman Max Miller called the meeting to order.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Brandon Bierstedt made a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from 04.11.2025 and 04.25.2025. Kent Pitts seconded the motion.

Darryl Harvell Yes

Kent Pitts Yes

Max Miller Yes

Brandon Bierstedt Yes

David Gould Yes

Motion Passed

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were made.

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Commissioner Harvel reported the Southern Five Regional Planning meeting will be held 5/13/2025 at 5:30pm and all are welcome to attend.

Commissioner Pitts reported things are going well with the Animal Control facility and a ribbon cutting will be held on Saturday, June 21st from noon - 3pm. Everyone is doing a great job out there and he is appreciative of all the staff. He said they are always in need of monetary items.

Commissioner Bierstadt reported the next Southern Seven Health Department Board meeting will be May 29th.

Commissioner Gould reported Shawnee Development grant money is starting to come in as was reported at the last meeting.

VI. BUILDING PERMITS

05-01-02-923-B4 – Mary Ann Knoll and Rachel Nickephoros - 215 Plott Lane, Anna, IL 62906

02-19-00-954-E - Eloise Quick - 675 Campground Rd., Anna, IL 62906

Commissioner Brandon Bierstedt made a motion to approve both building permits as presented. David Gould seconded the motion.

Darryl Harvell Yes

Kent Pitts Yes

Max Miller Yes

Brandon Bierstedt Yes

David Gould Yes

Motion Passed

VII. OLD BUSINESS

a. Ordinance Amending Article 1 of Chapter 18 of the Union County Code of Ordinances regarding Food and Sanitation

This item is tabled at this time pending further review.

b. Discussion on Solar Ordinance

State's Attorney Tripp began his discussion regarding the ordinance by stating there is much thought and research that is going into the creation of this ordinance, which will be for commercial purposes. This ordinance will be for farms and will require a permit to be obtained, for an undetermined fee. The plan is to have this ordinance draft ready for proposal and discussion at the next meeting.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

a. Approve Payment of Bills

Commissioner Bierstedt made the motion to Approve Payment of Bills and Kent Pitts seconded said motion.

Darryl Harvell Yes

Kent Pitts Yes

Max Miller Yes

Brandon Bierstedt Yes

David Gould Yes

Motion Passed

b. University of Illinois Extension Budget Agreement

Jody Johnson was not able to attend; therefore, Kristi Stout presented the agreement in his place stating the funds received from Union County are much appreciated and are resulting in more opportunities for the youth in our community. Ife Adesoye, SNAP-Ed Educator and John Shadowens, Community and Economic Development Educator also spoke regarding their departments within the Illinois Extension Program.

Commissioner Gould made a motion to approve the U of I Extension Budget Agreement of $40,000.00 for the year 2025-2026. Kent Pitts seconded the motion.

Darryl Harvell Yes

Kent Pitts Yes

Max Miller Yes

Brandon Bierstedt Yes

David Gould Yes

Motion Passed

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Nothing for Executive Session

X. OTHER BUSINESS

Discussion commenced regarding the use of County Highway equipment for private property. County Engineer Amy Ferris provided a letter, which Commissioner Miller read, explaining the liability issues involved with this practice stating Engineer Ferris is not in favor of this practice. Commissioners agreed the liability was too great and this will not be allowed.

Commissioner Miller remarked on posts made by Commissioner Harvell on Facebook regarding the State Pond and the county of Union.

Commissioner Gould made remarks in favor of the care he recently received from Deaconess Hospital Union County and our Union County Ambulance Service under the direction of Cody McMahan. He what a valuable asset they are to our county. People need to remember that the hospital is a stabilization facility and without it, he (along with others) might not be here today. Cody McMahan with Union County Ambulance Service mentioned this is National Nurses Appreciation Week and the ambulance service took a couple baskets to Deaconess Hospital - Union County to say thank you for everything they do.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Pitts made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40am.

Commissioner Bierstedt seconded the motion.

Darryl Harvell Yes

Kent Pitts Yes

Max Miller Yes

Brandon Bierstedt Yes

David Gould Yes

Motion Passed

https://www.unioncountyil.gov/agenda-minutes/minutes-2025-05-09/