Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for April 17, 2026

Clark County Board Meeting | April 17, 2026

The Clark County Board met Friday, April 17, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the Clark County Courthouse, with Chairman Rex Goble presiding. Deputy Clerk Loretta Nelson led the pledge of allegiance and Sheriff Bill Brown led the meeting with a prayer. Two of the board’s seven seats were recorded absent at roll call. Renewable energy dominated the agenda: the board tabled amended solar and wind ordinances on its attorney’s advice, approved a decommissioning agreement for the Moonshine Solar project requiring full financial assurance from the building permit stage, and heard from a union representative and from a developer planning a new solar application — all covered in separate stories.

The board also approved seven highway resolutions, including four railroad crossing engineering agreements; agreed to buy a refurbished tornado siren for the Westfield area using a unit donated by the City of Casey; and heard a volunteer presentation on a $70,000 restroom and bathhouse planned at the county fairgrounds. Members entered executive session at 8:52 a.m. and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 10:17 a.m. until May 15, 2026. Additional items are summarized below.

Board Approves Four County Liquor Licenses

The board approved county liquor licenses on a motion by board member Randal Stephens and a second by board member Mike Parsons, carried unanimously among members present. The agenda lists four establishments: Sassafras Ridge, Earl’s Supper Club, Tingley’s Lakeside Oasis and West Union Food Mart. The motion as recorded in the minutes punctuates the list differently and could be read as covering five. The minutes reference an attachment, which was not among the materials available for this report, and record no discussion, no license fees, and no term dates. The number and identity of the licensees should be confirmed with the county clerk’s office before the list is relied on.

Garbage and Debris Removal Ordinance Adopted

The board adopted Ordinance 2026-03, regulating garbage and debris removal, on a motion by Parsons and a second by Stephens. The vote was unanimous among members present, and the chairman declared the motion adopted. The minutes reference an attachment to the item but contain no summary of what the ordinance requires, whom it applies to, what enforcement mechanism or penalties it carries, or when it takes effect. No discussion is recorded, and the item drew no public comment on the record. The ordinance text is the document that would fill this out, and it has not been obtained.

HR Services Agreement Amended

The board approved an amendment to its arrangement with the Michael Fuller Group for HR resources, on a motion by board member Brandon Burkybile and a second by Stephens. The vote was unanimous among members present. The minutes reference an attachment and record nothing further — no description of what was amended, no cost, no term, and no discussion. The agenda item reads only “Approve to Amend the Michael Fuller Group for HR Resources.” What the county buys from the firm, and what changed, is not established anywhere in the record of the meeting.

Five Fire District Reappointments Approved

The board approved reappointments to five fire district boards, each unanimously among members present. Michael Murphy was reappointed to the Marshall Fire District Board for a three-year term expiring May 1, 2029. Joe McIntyre and Tim Kinnaman were reappointed to the Martinsville Fire District Board, terms expiring May 31, 2029. Stephen Shawler was reappointed to the West Union Fire District Board, term expiring May 1, 2029. Dennis Updegraff was reappointed to the Westfield Fire District Board, term expiring May 21, 2029. Terry Honselman and John Crouch were reappointed to what the minutes call the Casey Fire Protection Board, terms expiring April 30, 2029. The agenda lists that body as the Casey Fire District.

County Website Redesign in Development

Alex Carrell gave his monthly report on the redesign of the county website under old business, reporting that it is in development. Carrell said he still needs to talk to department heads to see what they would like to have on their pages. He has seen a demo, thinks it looks really good, and is in touch with the development team. Carrell also told the board about the camera system the county has, saying he is assessing locations of equipment. The minutes record no cost, no launch date, and no board action. Carrell appears on the attendance list as “Alex Carrell – IT.”

Ambulance Service Reports Federal Billing Win

Chace Bramlett, CCAS director, updated the board on the ambulance service during committee reports. Bramlett said the service switched software mid-month and numbers might be off a little, and that the new remount ambulance will be on the road soon once it receives state approval. He said staff uniforms are being upgraded to look more professional. Bramlett was honored in Washington, D.C., last month and had the opportunity to speak with several senators and representatives, obtaining sponsorships for some bills. The biggest takeaway, he said, is a bill under which the ambulance service can receive payment even when it does not transport a patient to a hospital; previously it would not get paid for providing service.

Township Resident Says Roads Are Becoming Dangerous

Bobby English, a Wabash Township resident, told the board during public comments that he has been trying to get the township to fix the roads. There are some bad areas within the township that are becoming dangerous, English said, and he has been told several times that there are no funds to repair these areas. The minutes record no board response and no action. Township roads are the responsibility of the township, not the county board; English appears on the meeting’s attendance list as “Bobby English – Wabash Township.”

Board Meets in Closed Session for More Than an Hour

The board entered executive session at 8:52 a.m. on a motion by Parsons and a second recorded in the minutes, with all members present voting aye. The stated provision was 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), covering the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. Chairman Rex Goble signed the closed meeting certification. Regular session continued at 10:05 a.m., a closed session of roughly 73 minutes. No action can be taken in closed session, and the minutes record no vote or announcement following the board’s return to open session.

Claims, Office Reports and Bills Approved

The board approved the general claims on a motion by Parsons and a second by Stephens, and approved the county highway claims on a second by Parsons — both unanimous among members present. It accepted all office reports for March 2026 — from the county clerk, circuit clerk, sheriff, county treasurer, supervisor of assessments, probation and public defender — on a motion by Parsons and a second by Burkybile. Preceding bills and one day and mileage claims were approved later in the meeting, each unanimously among members present. No dollar totals appear in the minutes for any of these items.