The Taylorville Park Board met on Wednesday evening for a special meeting at Manners Park.  The hiring of an office administrator, along with issues surrounding employee health insurance, prompted the special meeting.

The board had been ready to finalize the hiring of Linda Moomey as an office administrator, with an anticipated start date of May 19.  Moomey had been set to leave a similar role at Bob Ridings Decatur.  The board understood that Moomey would work four days per week at the Taylorville Park District until her time at Bob Ridings officially ended, at which point she would move to a five-day work week.  

Newly-sworn in board member Sherri Craggs expressed concern about the hiring, saying that due to past lapses in record-keeping, it was unclear if the move was in the Park District's best financial interests. 

Marlane Miller and Sue Phillips spoke in favor of the hiring, saying Moomey has the experience the Park District needs for the situation they are in.

The board voted 5-1 to proceed with hiring Moomey.  Craggs was the only vote in opposition. 

The board then turned to the matter of health insurance plans for employees.  Documents obtained by Regional Radio News show the Park District went nearly $20,000 over budget on its share of health insurance expenses for its employees.  The Park District currently finances 80% of such plans.  Marlane Miller proposed that they instead provide $1,000 per month per employee for insurance.

The board voted unanimously to approve that plan. 

Tanya Reno provided an update on the Park District’s tennis court fund introduced at a previous meeting.  The fund now totals $12,390.  Anyone interested in donating can bring their donations to First National Bank of Pana on West Spresser Street, where the account is based. 

The next park board meeting is tentatively set for May 27.