Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for March 20, 2026

Clark County Board Meeting | March 20, 2026

The Clark County Board met for one hour and 43 minutes on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Clark County Courthouse, adjourning at 9:43 a.m. after a 35-minute executive session on the purchase or lease of real estate. Six of the board’s seven members were present; Brandon Burkybile of District #2 was absent. Every recorded vote of the morning passed unanimously.

The board’s substantive action was on the Moonshine Solar Road Project, where members accepted the low bids for materials on work the county engineer said involves roughly $4 million in road improvements — covered in a separate story, as is the board’s decision to table both its amended solar ordinance and its amended wind ordinance without recorded discussion. Also covered separately: a West Union resident’s complaint about York Township properties, which board members said is now with the Health Department and the State’s Attorney, and a committee report disclosing that the county ambulance service turned down 25 transfers last month for lack of crew. Remaining items are below.

County Website Redesign on Roughly a Three-Month Timeline

Alex Carrell gave a brief update on the redesign of the county website under old business. Carrell said he had spoken with the CEO of Evogov and that Clark County has been assigned a project manager. He will work with that project manager and coordinate with department heads on the design in the next week or two, with a timeline that looks like about three months to complete. Carrell also told the board he is looking at options for the phone and camera systems and is going through all the county’s email accounts, eliminating addresses no longer needed. Chace Bramlett said separately that he and Carrell are working on a county logo for the site. The minutes record no cost figures and no contract action.

Unemployment at 6.2%, State Labor Economist Tells Board

Eric Makela, a labor economist with the Illinois Department of Employment Security serving the area south and east of Springfield, appeared under new business to brief the board on the job market. Makela said the unemployment rate for Clark County is 6.2% and that the number of jobs regionally is basically unchanged. He told the board that IDES supports workforce development through several initiatives and said he would be available after the meeting to discuss the figures or answer questions. The minutes do not record the comparison period for the unemployment rate, name the initiatives, or note any board response. No action was taken.

Marshall Declines Animal Control Contract, Offers $100 Per Dog

Board Member Mike Parsons told the board during committee reports that he received an email stating the City of Marshall does not want to enter into a contract but only wants to pay $100 per dog. The minutes carry no further detail — no description of the contract that was proposed, no indication of what the county sought, no number of animals at issue, and no response from other members. No action was taken, and the item does not appear on the March 20 agenda. This is a live question between the county and its largest municipality and is a follow-up priority.

Board Authorizes Salt Purchase Under State Bid Program

The board unanimously approved a resolution granting a certificate of authority by vote to purchase road salt under the State of Illinois bid program for 2026, on a motion by Mike Parsons seconded by Randal Stephens. County Engineer Dallas Richardson told the board during highway discussion that the state has started requiring a certificate of authority by vote in order to purchase salt. The resolution names two individuals authorized to make the purchases; the minutes identify them by first name only. No tonnage, price or contract term appears in the record.

Delinquent Tax Redemptions Approved for Two Parcels

On a motion by Mike Parsons and a second by Randal Stephens, the board unanimously approved resolutions for delinquent tax redemptions on two properties, identified in both the agenda and the minutes by parcel number: 09-12-07-12-202-033 and 13-72-00-71-002-35. The minutes note that supporting material was attached but do not describe it. No dollar amounts, property locations, owners or redemption terms appear in the record, and no discussion is recorded.

Three Reappointed to Farmland Assessment Review Board

The board unanimously approved the reappointment of John Yeley, Steve Mattis and Mike Young to the Farmland Assessment Review Board for two-year terms, on a motion by Susan Guinnip seconded by Randal Stephens. The minutes record no discussion, no alternative candidates and no description of the board’s function. The expiration date of the new terms is not stated.

Highway Building Re-Skinning Advances; Parking Added

Richardson reported during highway discussion that work re-skinning the old highway building is underway. The front is basically done, he said, and crews will work on the north and south ends next. The department is also working on additional parking for the highway department and for the Clark County Extension Building. No cost, contractor or completion date appears in the record. Richardson also reported that the Hogue Town Project has no new updates and is going through the final processes.

Bridge Audit Clean; ARPA-Funded 911 Signs Complete

Two highway items closed out with no action required. Richardson told the board that the NBIS audit for bridges was completed and that no findings were found. He also reported that ARPA funds were used to install 911 street signs throughout the whole county, describing the project as quite an undertaking, and said it is completed. The minutes do not state the amount of ARPA money spent, the number of signs installed, or the period over which the work occurred.

Board Meets in Closed Session on Real Estate

The board voted unanimously to enter executive session at 9:05 a.m. on a motion by Mike Parsons seconded by Susan Guinnip, citing 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) regarding the purchase or lease of real estate. Regular session continued at 9:40 a.m. Chairman Rex Goble signed the closed meeting certification stating that no other topic was discussed. No formal action can be taken in executive session, and none appears in the record following the board’s return to open session; the remaining items were bills, mileage and adjournment.

HR Group Seeks More Money; Insurance Options Under Review

Chairman Rex Goble told the board during committee reports that the HR group is requesting more money because the work is more than initially expected. Goble also said Donato is working with health insurance groups to try to find a better fit for insurance. The minutes do not identify the HR group, state the current or requested amount, give Donato’s full name or role, or indicate when a decision would come before the board. No action was taken.

Routine Financial Approvals Pass Unanimously

The board approved four sets of financial items without recorded discussion, each unanimously: general claims (Parsons/Kuhn), county highway claims (Stephens/Guinnip), preceding bills (Kuhn/Parsons), and one day and mileage claims (Parsons/Stephens). No totals for any of the four appear in the minutes. The board also accepted all office reports for January 2026 (Parsons/Stephens), covering the county clerk, circuit clerk, sheriff, county treasurer, supervisor of assessments, probation and public defender. Members approved the minutes of the February 20, 2026, regular meeting (Parsons/Stephens) and adjourned at 9:43 a.m. until April 17, 2026, at 8 a.m.