DISTRICT PUBLIC/REGULAR MEETING
The trustees of the Menard County Cemetery Maintenance District met in regular session of the Annual Meeting. With there being a quorum, the meeting was called to order on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 9:10 a.m. at 19127 State Highway 123, Petersburg, Illinois.
PRESENT: Trustees: Richard Dennis, Mark Stewart and Reggie Dowell, Attorney, Jerry Tice, Jeremy Bennett, Superintendent and Charlotte Watkins, Office Assistant.
AGENDA: Reggie Dowell moved to accept the agenda as submitted. Mark Stewart seconded. Motion passed.
MINUTES: Mark Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the July 19,2023 meeting as submitted. Reggie Dowell second, motion passed. Reggie Dowell moved to approve the minutes of the Special meeting of the September 11, 2023. Mark Stewart second, motion passed.
TREASURE’S REPORT: Mark Stewart moved to approve the Financial Reports as submitted. Reggie Dowell second, motion passed.
President Dennis ask Attorney Jerry Tice about the District investing in a CD at another bank to protect the Districts Cash Assets that are over the Federal Insurance threshold. After further discussion, Mr. Tice submitted a Banking Resolution (attached) authorizing the Treasurer of the District to keep the district’s funds on deposit at the Alliance Community Bank and Petefish Skiles & Co. bank.
Reggie Dowell made a motion to approve the Resolution. Mark Stewart second, motion carried.
LEVY ORDINANCE 162: Attorney Jerry Tice explained to the Board the calculating of the Tax Levy and how we could not extend beyond the Inflation Cap. A tax calculating document was given to the Board Members so they would understand the process and how our rate was calculated.
Mark Stewart moved to approve the Levy Ordinance #162, Reggie Dowell second, all Trustees say Aye, motion passed. Richard Dennis and Mark Stewart signed the levy documents including the Truth in Taxation form.
EQUIPMENT: Manager Jeremy Bennett informed the Board that there were no Trucks available in the $40,000.00 range. He stated that the mowers were fine, but they just use a lot of gas.
OFFICE/ OFFICE EQUIPMENT: The Board was informed that a new computer had been bought for the Bookkeepers office. The upgrade is needed to be compatible with the new 2023 Accounting Software. Attorney Tice asked if a backup was done of our computer. Charlotte informed him that it was done several times a week and locked in the safe. Mr. Tice suggested keeping a copy off site. He also asks if we have Cyber Insurance. Attorney Tice was informed that there was no Cyber Insurance. The Board instructed Manager Bennett to get pricing and what would be covered in the Policy. Mr. Tice also suggested we invest in a Computer Consultant. Jeremy will get a quote from Illini Tech.
EMPLOYEE SITUATION: Manager Bennett said the Employee situation was fine, but the situation with Dimitri was still undecided.
BONUSES: President, Richard Dennis reported that he received all the money for the bonuses of Mitchell, Jeremy and Dimitri from the Cemetery Boards. The bonuses will be distributed to the employees at the Joint Meeting.
DISINTERMENT: Manager Bennett informed the Board that we may have possible disinterment in the future due to the investigation into the Funeral Home in Carlinville. After discussions on the matter, Attorney Jerry Tice said we should wait until the investigation had been completed before any decision is made on how to proceed.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business for the Trustees, Reggie Dowell moved to adjourn at 10:30 a.m., Mark Stewart second, Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Stewart, Secretary