The Christian County Board heard a report from the Liquor Committee concerning the renewal of the liquor license for 10 local establishments. It was determined that all would be approved with the lone exception being The Loading Zone located in Taylorville. It was brought to the attention of the committee that in the last 12 months, the county deputies had responded to 35 calls and 16 fights at the establishment even after warning letters had been sent to the owner. The Loading Zone license was not approved until further review.
Jim O’Connel, representative of Postal Service Local 239, was on hand to address the Christian County Board Monday evening. He informed the board of the United States Postal Service plan to close most of the handling stations in Illinois and move the service to the St. Louis site. Mr. O’Connel reported that the St. Louis facility is the second worst facility in the United States for delayed mail. The moving of the facilities would burden the facility even more likely causing even longer delays in the delivery of 1st class mail. The proposed change would cost as many as 122,000 employees their jobs. Mr. O’Connel presented the board a resolution, stating their displeasure with the proposed move, which they approved unanimously.
Board Chairman Paul Schmitz informed the board of a grant to replace three of the County Courthouse doors with ones replicating the originals. This grant, in the amount of $19,500, was awarded by Landmarks Illinois - Richard H Driehaus County Courthouse and is a matching grant. Chairman Schmitz informed the board that a contract was received to receive the grant but that the County was only requesting funds for 2 new doors as the third door is the south door of the Courthouse. The Sheriff requested that door not be changed because that door is used for the main entrance and vision for the deputies needs to be unobstructed.
The Board approved a bid from Sloan Implement for the purchase of a 15 foot batwing mower in the amount of $13,834.23. This bid was the lowest of 3 received. Other bids approved included $6209.72 to Koenig Body and Equipment for the purchase of a flatbed installed on the 2006 F350 already owned by the county. A bid in the amount of $68,874 was accepted from County Materials for the purchase of box culverts. The board also authorized the expenditure of an additional $4000 to rustproof and spray-in bedliners installed in the 3 new pickups purchased by the County.
In other actions, the board approved the use of the Courthouse and grounds by the Taylorville Main Street for several events and the Taylorville Arts Council for their second annual fund raiser.
