November 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes

The Morgan County Board is providing a call-in number for public participation without physical presence at the Board meeting.
Dial-in number: 1-701-802-5482
Access code: 166442

AGENDA
BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 20, 2023
9:00 AM

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call of Members
3. Approval of the Agenda
4. Consideration and Approval of November 6, 2023 Meeting Minutes
5. Public Comment
6. Committee Reports
7. Staff and Consultant Reports
8. Consideration and Action on Business Agenda Items (Motion and Roll Call Vote or Voice Votes)
a) Bills
b) Payroll
c) Resolution for Annual State’s Attorney and Appellate Prosecutor’s Office Contract
d) Resolution determining the estimated Morgan County Real Estate Tax Levy for Year 2023
e) Resolution determining the estimated Marnico Village Special Assessment Annual Tax Levy for Year 2023
f) Ordinance approving the Execution of a Morgan County Building Permit for the Construction and Operation of a Substation and Underground Collector Lines and Related Facilities by Applicant Lotus Wind for the Lotus Wind Project in Macoupin County
9. Other Business
10. Closed Meeting Session (only if needed)
11. Chairman’s Remarks
12. Adjournment

MORGAN COUNTY BOARD MEETING
November 20, 2023

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioner’s office on Monday November 20, 2023 at 9 am. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Couty Clk. Waggener asked for roll call as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “present”, Commissioner Zeller answered “present” and Chr. Fanning answered “present”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. a quorum is present and the meeting may continue.

Chr. Fanning said the first order of business is the approval of the agenda. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Wankel seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. The motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said the board meeting minutes from November 6 also need approval. Commissioner Wankel made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. The motion has passed.

Public Comment-Lindsey Ryan congratulated Chr. Fanning on her upcoming retirement.

Committee Reports-none

Staff and Consultant-County Clk. Waggener said her office has around 180 voter cards to finish and mail out. Clk. Waggener said this will complete cards begin mailed, except for address changes and name changes, which will begin in the next couple of weeks. Clk. Waggener said petition filing will begin November 27 at 8:30 am and conclude at 5:00 pm December 4 for Morgan County local races for the March 2024 primary.

Chr. Fanning said bills for $348,179.25 need approval from the board for payment. There is discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the payment of bills in the stated amount. Commissioner Wankel seconded the motion. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call for the payment of bills in the stated amount as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said verifiable payroll for signing on the 29th and distribution on the 30th of November, respectfully, is the next item for approval. Commissioner Wankel made a motion to approve the verifiable payroll for the stated dates. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call for the verifiable payroll for the stated dates as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said a resolution for the annual State’s Attorney and Appellate Prosecutor’s office is the next item on the agenda and State’s Attorney Noll is present and would explain this. State’s Attorney Noll said that this is an annual resolution that is presented every year to the board for approval. State’s Attorney Noll said the last two years the cost to the county has been $14,000 with an increase this year to $15,000. There is discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the resolution between the State’s Attorney and the Appellate Prosecutor’s offices as discussed. Commissioner Wankel seconded the motion. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call for the resolution between the State’s Attorney and Appellate Prosecutors offices as discussed as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said a resolution determining the estimated Morgan County Real Estate tax levy for 2023 is the next item on the agenda. There is discussion. Commissioner Wankel made a motion to approve the resolution determining the estimated Morgan County Real Estate tax levy for 2023. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call for the resolution estimating the Morgan County real estate tax levy for 2023 as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said a resolution determining the estimated Marnico Village Special Assessment annual tax levy for the tax year 2023 is the next item for approval. There is discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the resolution for the estimated Marnico Village Special Assessment annual tax levy as discussed as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Chr. Fanning said an ordinance approving the execution of a Morgan County building permit for the construction and operation of a substation and underground collector lines and related facilities by applicant Lotus Wind for the Lotus Wind Project in Macoupin County and Dusty Douglas is present and would explain this ordinance. Mr. Douglas said this project in Macoupin County will consist of 45 wind turbines. There is discussion. Commissioner Wankel made a motion to approve the ordinance for the building permit for Lotus Wind project as discussed. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. Chr. Fanning asked for roll call. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call for the ordinance approving the execution for the Morgan County building permit for construction and operation of a substation for the Lotus Wind Project in Macoupin County as follows, Commissioner Wankel answered “aye”, Commissioner Zeller answered “aye” and Chr. Fanning answered “aye”. Clk. Waggener informed the Chr. the motion has passed.

Other Business-none

Closed Meeting Session (only if needed)-none

Chairman’s Remarks-Chr. Fanning said the Courthouse will be closed Thursday and Friday of this week in observance of Thanksgiving and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Commissioner Zeller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Wankel seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. The motion has passed and the meeting stands adjourned.