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Wednesday, January 28, 2015
PC School Board reviews finances By Dixie Schroeder
dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Budget updates, hiring and bids were on the agenda at the Putnam County Board meeting this past week. Putnam County Superintendent Jay McCracken informed the board of the school district’s budget situation as of Dec. 31, 2014. McCracken was pleased with where the district’s finances were sitting. “At this point in the school year, we are where we should be,” he said.
“Our expenditures are at 46 percent of our current budget.” McCracken informed the board at this time in the school year, a district should have spent no more than 50 percent of their budget if at all possible. With Putnam County’s expenditures being at 46 percent, the district’s finances are in good shape, according to him. The transportation fund is running at 55 percent, and the tort immunity fund is at 68 percent for the district. However other funds are lower than projections for this time of
year, so the figures even out overall. Under the personnel part of the meeting, the district has announced the hiring of their new maintenance supervisor. Christopher “Chris” Uzella has been hired to replace retiring maintenance supervisor Doug Smith. Uzella, who will start his job in February, will train under Smith through September. Smith will officially retire at that time. McCracken noted there were two rounds of interviews and a lot of outstanding candidates for
the position. “It was a very tough decision, but we feel we have the right person for the position,” he said. The committee of the whole met before the regular board meeting to examine the current contracts which the district has with its liability insurance, auditor and legal services. McCracken indicated they in no way were displeased with the efforts of the individuals who play these roles for the district. “The committee brought back the recommendation to maintain
the status quo with our auditors, Gorenz and Associates and our legal services,” he said. “The liability insurance will be put out to bids at this time.” In other personnel decisions, the board accepted the resignation of Emery Burdette, high school math teacher. They hired Cody Kennedy as a longterm substitute teacher to finish the current school year. In other action, the board: • Heard a presentation from Jodie Goetz, high school special educa-
tion teacher and person in charge of the district’s teacher mentoring program. • Listened to the Putnam County Future Farmers of America Parliamentary Pro presentation team with their advisor John Heiser. • Learned the state of Illinois is behind in their state payments to the Putnam County District to the tune of $232,074. The deficit includes $36,784 to the Early Childhood Education fund, $98,607 to the Transportation fund and $96,683 to the special education fund.
Granville hires full-time officer
By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Granville will have a new full-time police officer starting on March 1. The Granville Village Board voted to hire Brian Gonet for the position at $14.50 an hour with a 50-cent pay increase after 90 days. Village Police Chief Kevin Moore had approached the board earlier this month requesting they hire another full-time police officer in an effort to keep officers on the force. Many officers have been hired part-time by the village, only to leave shortly after for full-time positions or higher-paying part-time positions at other villages. The board voted four to one in favor of the hire with board member Jim Pettit voting no. Pettit’s concern is the timing of the new hire and its effect on the village budget, since a full-time position was not allowed for in this year’s financial plan. Gonet was already a part-time officer in Granville. Mike Richetta from Chamlin and Associates presented the board with the completed contracts for the 2015 water treatment plant improvements, which includes media removal and replacement. The testing
of the media has been completed and work is expected to start in the next two to three weeks. Board member Sean Coleman stated the information luncheon at Troy Simplified Technology was very informative. The Police Committee is looking into purchasing two or three body cameras at approximately $400 each. Moore will set up a presentation of the cameras from Troy for the board. Board member Roy Leckonby presented the board with proposed water/sewer rate increases. After a brief discussion, the board decided to table the discussion until the next meeting. Public Works Superintendent Sheli Starkey told the board officials from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency were in town recently for an inspection. Everything was good with them looking into the back flow prevention in the storm sewer system. Board member Randy Borio told the board help will soon be needed in the public works department. A committee meeting to discuss this is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 31. The board responded to a donation request from the Putnam County Library which had been tabled at the last meeting. The board elected to donate $250 for renovation work at the new Granville library location.
PCR photo/Ken Schroeder
Giving doesn’t really hurt Dan Kuhn (left) of McNabb donates blood during the blood drive at the Magnolia United Methodist Church on Jan. 19, while technician Kendra Harris prepares to withdraw some of his blood for testing. The Red Cross collected 18 units of blood during the drive.
Fireworks in Hennepin Board OKs more $$$
By Dixie Schroeder
dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — It was a light agenda at the Hennepin Village Board meeting. The 2015 fireworks budget was expanded by 10 percent. Last year, the
budget for fireworks sat at $14,000. In 2015, this amount will be increased to $15,400. The board also hired Paul Miskowiec as a fireworks consultant. This move was made to increase safety during the preparation and shooting off of the annual fireworks display. It was decided to create a new list of village streets and sidewalks that may
Vol. 147 No. 22
Citizen of the Year. They are looking for candidates. The village board wanted to remind everyone that when more than 2 inches of snow is forecast, village residents are asked to remove their cars from the streets to aid in the snow removal. Also, the board voted to release to the public the 2014 closed session minutes.
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need repair work. Village trustee Quentin Buffington will work with Hennepin engineer Bill Schafer to create the list and bring it to the next board meeting. A requested donation for the Putnam County Library District was denied. The upcoming year’s mowing season was also discussed. The board discussed the selection for
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