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Hancock County board trims treasurer pay, approves bridge engineering contract and authorizes public defender card
Summary
At its March 16 meeting in Carthage, the Hancock County Board approved multiple resolutions and motions, including a reduced salary for the county treasurer, acceptance of an engineering agreement for the La Harpe Creek Bridge Phase II, and authorization of a $5,000 credit card for the public defender.
Hancock County Board Chairman Mark Menn presided over the March 16, 2026, meeting at the county courthouse in Carthage where the board approved a package of resolutions and motions affecting salaries, a bridge engineering contract and county operations.
A visitor, Shannon Kissinger of WGEM, distributed research showing the county treasurer, circuit clerk and county clerk had received comparable pay since 2018 and asked why the treasurer's salary had been decreased. Board member Wayne Bollin said the incoming treasurer had no prior experience and the board lowered the salary "to cut costs to the county," according to meeting minutes.
On specific votes, the board approved Klingner and Associates' engineering agreement for Phase II of the La Harpe Creek Bridge replacement after a roll call in which 12 members voted yes and Chairman Mark Menn voted no. The motion was made by Alex Blythe and seconded by Steve Lucie.
The board also authorized a credit card for the public defender with a limit of up to $5,000. The motion, moved by Dennis Castlebury and seconded by Wayne Bollin, passed by roll call with Steve Finney voting no and the other members present voting yes.
A resolution setting the salary for the county treasurer was approved after debate about compensation levels and benefits. The minutes note benefits add roughly 30% above base salary and that comparisons to neighboring Pike County were cited; that resolution passed with 11 votes in favor and two opposed (Steve Finney and Josh Turner).
The board unanimously approved resolutions setting salaries for the county clerk and the circuit clerk. County Clerk Holly A. Wilde-Tillman was recognized in the minutes for statewide peer recognition and for handling office responsibilities including Freedom of Information Act requests.
As part of the consent agenda the board approved several other items: the appointment of Ryan Weeks as Noxious Weed Superintendent; confirmation of a public defender appointment; an updated resolution clarifying duties and compensation for the Animal Control Warden; acceptance of FY2027 DOAP and 5311 public transportation grants for Hancock County; and acceptance of bids for banners and bookshelves.
Elgin Berry told the board he had submitted 28 letters of support to U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's office for a Community Development grant intended to finish Connable Road.
The board voted to move into executive session to discuss employment and personnel matters and later recessed; it adjourned at 7:30 p.m. and recessed until an April 21, 2026 meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: approval of minutes and reports (unanimous yes, 13-0); Klingner engineering agreement (12-1); public defender credit card (12-1); treasurer salary resolution (11-2); county clerk and circuit clerk salary resolutions (unanimous).
