Board Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Wind Energy

The Moultrie County Board unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting wind farms in Moultrie County during their regular meeting Thursday. Board member Elizabeth Houser was absent.

The board voted to accept the resignation of Larry Baker from the Moultrie County Board and as County Board Chairman. There was also a motion approved to accept the resignation of Moultrie County Engineer Jeff Birch, effective August 31, 2022.

Travis Phelps was appointed to the board and was sworn in. Marsha Kirby was appointed to the position of Vice Chair. The board voted to appoint Mary Kristine Hart as Planning and Zoning Director with a starting salary of $45,000. Vander Burgh and Phelps both abstained.

Robert L. Elder, Steven W. Mayberry and Dr. Gregory Mauck were appointed to the Board of Review with terms to expire May 31, 2024. Mike Jennings was named as Moultrie County Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) director with a starting salary of $19,000. He is also the Fire Chief for Bethany Fire Department.

Vander Burgh and Phelps also abstained during this vote. The final appointments made were Tyson Grooms and Michael McDaniel to the Moultrie County Zoning Board of Appeals with terms to expire May 2027.

The resignation of Howard Sanders from the Zoning Board of Appeals was accepted, effective immediately.

Also approved was an agreement between the University of Illinois Extension and Moultrie County for levy/appropriating $60,042 contribution for fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Board Chairman Billy Voyles talked with the board in regard to adopting a vehicle log for mileage reimbursement.

They will be keeping track of vehicles for maintenance, highway and probation departments. The resolution for this was approved as well as a motion to stop collecting COVID time card data and paying for COVID time off.