[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241879,"mediaKeyId","3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289","parentId",3252243,"title","Board approves 15-month audit resolution as state warns grants could be put on stop-pay list","audioSeconds",302,"startMs",3431000,"endMs",3733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289&start=3431&end=3733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289/thumbnail_3431000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241879/Shelby-County/Illinois/Board-approves-15-month-audit-resolution-as-state-warns-grants-could-be-put-on-stop-pay-list","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241879-32f0ffe9195f05c80e2df083b691a6ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225728&Signature=OuiF-zjTHThjYokiFDRjm9SGiL0W7acbQAPUFhj7SbndTFd77I5ua8EIIa7-fB-XPby4apSH8wvMgzqmIJ7UJ0Ro1Pe6iQMtFidyG9hL52wnwF7YYTyAYsNC7V17vKMym3UsIBwO2iMC0Wo60NGLjFatCkUPvOHjJir3HgBVgM1vS5Qfv7pCbt0vzjXZhkJpbK-pnCkVz-wsyL~kzPEsTYM-hmVMIAjgA8ZA~ReEJmzpt0iaFb7XqWHZWyC51n2HPXKivqpb7-u2HNezjHpin2JwwORbL~JKFFclAD1OiqgLKBe7ytDF0d9zGCFRMpxPJWFpldDr3z6OQ6KLibSdfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County, IL","date","2025-05-09T01:09:18Z","article","The Shelby County Board on May 8 approved a resolution authorizing a single 15-month audit covering Sept. 1, 2022, through Nov. 30, 2023, to replace separate 12-month and three-month audits and accelerate the countys compliance timeline.

County officials and contracted pre-audit staff from Sikich (referenced in the meeting) told the board the consolidated audit would save time and help the county get current with state audit requirements. The resolution text read in the meeting cites a fiscal-year shift and said the consolidated audit would avoid producing two separate audit reports for the covered period.

At the same meeting county staff reported having received notice from the state (via email) that, unless the county satisfies GATA (the state grant accountability and transparency requirements) obligations, the state may place the county on a stop-payment list as soon as May 12, 2025. The clerk read an email listing staff members identified as needing to meet FY23 GATA requirements and said the county had requested reconsideration of the stop-payment timing.

Officials warned the board that stop-pay status would not result in immediate reinstatement of payments once requirements are met; the county would need to request reimbursement for periods when payments were paused, a process described as not instantaneous. Board members expressed concern about the potential operational impact: the health department and other grant-funded services rely on state grant disbursements, and delays could strain operations or force use of reserves.

Board members said they would continue engagement with Sikich and state contacts to resolve outstanding documentation. The board approved the 15-month audit resolution in the business portion of the meeting; staff said they would pursue the audit and maintain communication with state grant administrators in hopes of avoiding payment interruptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 8, 2025 Shelby County Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Shelby County approved a resolution to consolidate a 12-month and a three-month audit into a single 15-month audit to catch up on audit compliance; at the same meeting the county reported a state warning that certain grant payments could be stopped if GATA requirements are not met by mid-May.","taxTitle","Shelby County, Illinois","taxId",59133,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241885,"Shelby County hires transportation compliance coordinator to revive rural transit program",346,1494000,1840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289&start=1494&end=1840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289/thumbnail_1494000.jpg","/articles/6241885/Shelby-County/Illinois/Shelby-County-hires-transportation-compliance-coordinator-to-revive-rural-transit-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241885-d0a694a12fb79614efc25cc00631a3f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225728&Signature=nXYQ2Fx~T7dV1ClgvLU4Yab-6Y5F6OHHDmAN8HGCeo9Z5OF2hKBKIEZoDpUg~2ZjiM1mHLA~m6Qp9GN8mjvXj9kEnOzBuCjamz0N2HKunlS6eNOM0kE7aYEEgaLFwTknsFa4rmxzuraicCmW4f34vHypGTtpnCWkjujnoyid7f8sCyLSjAAiLKUplSIykiqyWQeLn3ZgR78De8Ep8YZCXJjlmmM9U4z-3zekLgXHDYQgNpFKZI9pJi5Cmsnspwn8OD1bo9xLtQpYvzYaF5UlFpULNesx9kzwjVKYfEa-rY9BJTYSbEkg9yNvonVuk07HAP473RKsYKJ52DdUrT7yIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board on May 8 approved hiring Crystal Watkins to manage the countys rural transportation compliance and oversight program, a post the county said has been dormant since 2022.

Board members said the position will be employed by the county under public safety and that pay and benefits will be paid from existing grant funds. Presenters said the position was budgeted and that last-year and current allocations for the program total roughly $1,700,000 (as described in the meeting), with about $700,000 noted for the prior year. Board members described the role as initially requiring 30–35 hours per week, potentially rising as the new hire brings program operations up to speed.

The county reported it has worked with CEFS to maintain compliance in recent months while restarting the program. Presenters said CEFS had applied for the grant in prior years and would continue handling some grant responsibilities initially, but ultimate responsibility will fall to county administration (referred to as PCOM in the transcript). The board noted the search produced two resumes and recommended Watkins based on relevant grant-management and compliance experience.

The salary had not been finalized in the meeting; the presenter cited a proposed range of roughly 29 to 35 (transcript numbers presented without explicit units, implying thousands) and said a formal salary agreement would be negotiated with the recommended candidate. Board members emphasized the immediate priority is bringing the program into compliance with Illinois Department of Transportation requirements and pursuing additional opportunities to deploy grant funds in the county.

Board members approved the hiring and moved on to the next agenda item; staff will complete a formal employment agreement and report implementation details to the board.","The Shelby County Board approved hiring Crystal Watkins to lead rural transportation compliance and oversight, funding the position with grant dollars and estimating initial hours at 30–35 per week while the program is restarted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241890,"Board approves single bid for EJ Water treatment expansion; county serves as pass-through for grant funds",308,1186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289&start=1186&end=1494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6241890/Shelby-County/Illinois/Board-approves-single-bid-for-EJ-Water-treatment-expansion-county-serves-as-pass-through-for-grant-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241890-4d867a3e1ba6313c086931faba308f91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225728&Signature=NS2Ls69Bj8ExIVRUIUVQ5bBhQHMe1rsGf57IE9OLQh64ayxU3SPU-21ArjNpNG8LyAesqEYhpC9GXAYqkBZ-6PXbJqMXEuDkfwOEbORE1q~S54K1fDodc6rPvASpoan2Yj2~7AQufGDAadVVCpbG~QQ~pCfTNGCJ1j5ynKViVUoXof7m1a00btnlQBL4EL-J9sfB4DAUUt2UaceT33OMyqTIdO5FURRVZg-1QRxSVlW5IV9quZCwkI99q0JtpNC0oUtPw444QnigWV2HE72AF66-715qPMK9rq~vtIo9efvlGf~p9fqBBm2Pq9IUqgoXwNsqU62uAbx0Lgxw5aysag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board on May 8 approved a construction bid for the EJ Water Phase 76 (Delaware Mott) water treatment plant expansion, with the county acting as a pass-through for grant funding.

Board members said the county holds approximately $2,000,000 for the project and that only one sealed bid was submitted and opened. The apparent low bidder was identified as CBNI Storage Tank Solutions of Plainfield, Illinois; the bid was described as roughly $2.2 million, exceeding the county-held grant funds by about $200,000. Board members discussed reimbursement and indicated the entities managing the project have said they will reimburse the county for any expenses incurred.

A board member clarified why the county is the funding-pass-through: the grant recipient entities could not accept the funds directly, so Shelby County was the holder of the grant dollars and is facilitating disbursement. Board members also discussed whether the expansion represented new geographic reach of service or simply increased capacity within an existing footprint; the presenter said the project will expand both treatment capacity and reach into more parts of the county, and landowners along the line would have the option to tie in or not.

The board conducted a roll-call vote; the motion to accept the bid passed unanimously. Several board members urged property owners to consider connecting when lines are brought near homes, noting that initial hook-up fees may be lower now than later.

The transcript records some ambiguity about the total project cost (a larger figure was referenced but not clearly stated); board members emphasized that the county is not providing additional local funds beyond serving as the holder of the grant and that project sponsors would reimburse any county expenses tied to administration of the grant.","The Shelby County Board approved accepting a single bid for the EJ Water Phase 76 (Delaware Mott) water treatment expansion, acting as a passthrough recipient for grant funds; board members noted roughly $2 million in county-held grant money and that the lone bid exceeded that amount by about $200,000.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":91,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241895,"Board urges dive team accounting oversight, requests roster after audit finds weaknesses",154,1032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289&start=1032&end=1186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289/thumbnail_1032000.jpg","/articles/6241895/Shelby-County/Illinois/Board-urges-dive-team-accounting-oversight-requests-roster-after-audit-finds-weaknesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241895-e9f3c1be17075d614cbc7d713c1e0c14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225728&Signature=RppABHfO-UQs6FE1XpXUw-z7TzgsD95JNV4HzHQiaJIANr1OEAtBNXoE02WljOCiIs~g9E9tvMIu~rzrUY3bpbuK-KMlPD0mwjbgjX-JGPKkvWGQDQ4leumWr0qwavlQ0vpj6p0NTZGtSVG7tml-Se0COE3PyGAVXQTxYlfguXAq4yLm9Rr0vfpyO5GlyVVxJRkcipq-i7y4G4OssJdtTZFptD1edqeg8Ns6ONWH9AkMT672TPNbuTmb0PufRoKcjAPvwL1jvzoptbQm8hS8P9t6WodUDeolMgwLxyj83tJYGt8kysUUJY5nN6zUbJdfB0omXdo0QS5XvyIOWcCPiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelby County Board members discussed an audit of the county-affiliated dive team on May 8 and urged the team to use county accounting resources to improve bookkeeping and compliance.

During discussion, a board member recommended that the person responsible for dive team accounting meet with the Shelby County Treasurer to improve recordkeeping. The board member emphasized that the treasurers services should be provided at no additional charge to the team and framed the recommendation as intended to reduce the countys vulnerability to accounting errors, not to shame volunteers.

The discussion noted the audit included a roster that had been obtained through a freedom-of-information request several years earlier; the audit also stated that a roster had been requested from the dive team but was not provided. A sitting board member formally requested that the dive team provide an updated roster to the board.

Board members did not take formal disciplinary action during the meeting. Instead, they discussed next steps: routing accounting responsibilities to the treasurers office as a support measure and asking the dive team to supply the requested roster so the county can verify membership and oversight.

During public comment later in the meeting, a resident asked why the roster could not be provided by a named individual (Austin Pritchard) who had been identified as present in roll call, and the speaker recommended that the dive team commander should be able to supply the roster. The board did not record further commitments at that time beyond the request for the roster and the recommendation to use treasurer services.

The items on the dive-team audit and roster request were presented as discussion items; the transcript records no vote or binding directive to change governance or operational control of the dive team.","Shelby County board members reviewed a dive team audit, urged its accounting be tied into the county treasurers services, and requested an updated roster after auditors said one was requested but not provided.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241899,"Shelby County board approves $35,000 transfer to cover Social Security shortfall amid investment debate",1539,1876000,3415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289&start=1876&end=3415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3252243-956d00c408e6d63563d43f45f67ac289/thumbnail_1876000.jpg","/articles/6241899/Shelby-County/Illinois/Shelby-County-board-approves-35000-transfer-to-cover-Social-Security-shortfall-amid-investment-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241899-ab92856c7295546cda6aef066563e979/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225728&Signature=R3kC8-i2LZfpIcVw6x974o2hXIq-MlXPxgsRGKf5wbPegvsSrgE4gk1IyKz9hVwV7N1OFF7kOW0mspaitplF~UpNUnHm27vP30Ok1VIyRXvVLneYXRtVt66BB8WeyBGbuo~NBzlwu3Z9jbEJxEiLUWggyDB3iqcSireztHAybaWjacK0Qyqdk4DhGmiMtpUDS5WSAZq7gMpzgYna-l1FfofECfAJDWEk5pkjIs4r9ozMwBv~CU0g0~YARBsmRHMQZ6IZEkBU3NDvUH0lygj~DbEFB3M~YPFub6dkVeJdIZWdSJm8vwnlYe~pVobqDojPCiTie6QC~j7l8o-dOk~iFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board on May 8 approved transferring $35,000 from LDCF funds to the county Social Security fund to cover an apparent shortfall in payroll-related Social Security payments through June.

Board members said the transfer is a temporary “patch” to prevent missed payments until the county receives its tax distribution in July and to buy time for staff to identify longer-term funding options. The motion passed 16–1, with Christy Matlock casting the lone no vote.

Board members described the transfer as necessary to avoid penalties and to ensure payroll obligations are met. One board member framed it as an immediate requirement, saying county offices cannot simply decline to make Social Security payments if an account lacks funds. The board directed staff to continue reviewing other funding sources and to return with additional options at a follow-up meeting in June.

Discussion at the meeting expanded into a debate about the county’s cash-management practices. Several board members urged the treasurer and staff to investigate investing some county funds in higher-yield options — specifically citing the Illinois Funds money-market vehicle, which speakers described as offering roughly 4.4 percent annualized returns — and asked whether some county cash could be moved to earn more interest. Multiple members said the county was “leaving money on the table” by holding large cash balances at low rates.

Board members asked the treasurer to appear at a future meeting and to explain current practices, any legal constraints, and whether the county’s investment policy could or should be adjusted. The board also directed staff to explore other internal accounts and reimbursements that might reduce the need to tap the LDCF funds again.

Public commenters at the meeting pressed the treasurer to explain why the county’s cash had not been invested more aggressively. A resident urged the board to require the treasurer to provide an explanation to taxpayers about investment decisions and whether those decisions complied with county policy.

How the transfer will affect the LDCF balance and whether the board will again need to use those funds in June was left open. Board members and staff said they will monitor balances with the clerk and treasurer, consult external advisors where appropriate, and report back at the next meeting.

Details recorded in the meeting show the transfer received roll-call approval with 16 ayes and one no (Matlock). The board’s discussion included references to the county’s investment policy and to the treasurer’s discretion over how funds are invested; the board requested additional information, including account balances and options for short-term investments, to limit future shortfalls.","The Shelby County Board voted 16–1 to move $35,000 from LDCF funds to the county Social Security account to cover payroll obligations through June, while members pressed the treasurer and staff to pursue higher-yield investments and other funding solutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 15-month audit resolution as state warns grants could be put on stop-pay list

Shelby County hires transportation compliance coordinator to revive rural transit program

Board approves single bid for EJ Water treatment expansion; county serves as pass-through for grant funds

Board urges dive team accounting oversight, requests roster after audit finds weaknesses

Shelby County board approves $35,000 transfer to cover Social Security shortfall amid investment debate