Judge Paisley swears in new District 2 Board member Brian Wilbur.
The Christian County Board met Tuesday evening and while the big topic was windfarms there were a lot of other topics that were voted on as well. Brian Wilbur was sworn in by Judge Brad T. Paisley as the new District 2 board member. The county heard comments about the windfarms mostly against. For committee reports, approval went through for the courthouse to be used for the annual Chilifest event. It was announced that repairs needed to be made to the elevator in the courthouse and soon. State Attorney Mike Havera stressed that this was an important fix, but the elevator would be down for quite a while, and there are fears about people that genuinely have to use it. The wind ordinance proposal failed and went back to committee. The enterprise zone intergovernmental agreement passed between Christian County, Taylorville, Assumption, and Pana. County Board member Ray Koonce told Regional Radio News his thoughts on the enterprise zone.
A cannabis sales tax ordinance for the county was approved. This would put a 3.75% in .25% increments of these sales in the unincorporated areas of Christian County. It was also approved that Montgomery County would be merging with Christian County for their 9-1-1 services. This would have the potential to bring already trained 911 operators into Christian County. Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp and Chief Deputy Bruce Engeling spoke about a resolution to place a vote for a public safety tax on the March Ballot. Engeling explained that it would be a 1% public safety tax and that it would be used to help the Sheriff’s Department, Coroner, Probation Department, State’s Attorney’s Office, and Emergency management and homeland security. Engeling also said it would go towards building a new jail and sheriff facility for a county that badly needs one.
Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp says he hates taxes but this is something necessary to help prevent overcrowding and help public safety.
The next County Board meeting will be held October 15th.
