It was the final County Board meeting for half the DeWitt County Board, and there was some big items on the agenda.

Finance Chair, Ed Young proposed the Fiscal Year 13 Budget for the County. This year's budget saw some increased expenses, mainly due to the ambulance tax levy. Young explains it was up to Board Members whether they wanted leave for in case something came up for next year's Board to have breathing room in case of an unforeseen occurrence. The County proposed a levy of $800-thousand.

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County Board Chair Melonie Tilley felt as though taxing $800-thousand was a little bit higher than what was necessary. She felt if they could levy $650-thousand, that would be more than enough to pay back the County's loan and also have enough money left over for unforeseen emergencies.

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Some language in the PSI contract may leave the County obligated to some future unexpected expenses. State's Attorney Dick Koritz explains the contract cannot be modified in the future, therefore, if Farmer City desires to have PSI be their ambulance provider, the County is obligated to allow it, because the contract states any areas not covered by a fire protection district with an ambulance service. The situation is hypothetic, however, it is possible.

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If the full $800-thousand is not used, the next County Board has the option to lower the levy to meet their needs then. Young explains the thought process was to give them money to deal with those unforeseen expenses.

A motion was filed to lower the levy to $650-thousand, however it failed by a vote of 8-3. Those supporting the motion included Tilley, Pete Dougherty, and Sherry Brown.

There was also a lot of discussion dedicated to the animal shelter and levying a tax to help pay for that. Find out Monday on Regional Radio News whether the Board will levy a tax to pay for a future animal shelter, and what the thoughts were for advocates of a new animal shelter.

Other items from the County Board's regular monthly meeting...

>>Al Perring was reappointed to the Clinton Sanitary District with a term to expire in June of 2014.

>>Jim Sams was reappointed to the Clinton Sanitary District with a term to expire in June of 2015.

>> Andy Hedrick and Willard McKinley were reappointed to the ZBA with terms expiring September 30, 2017.

>> The Supply and Installation of a manual dual flow control valve on unit number twelve in the amount of $1131.50. (This disperses road salt from under the trucks)

>> The Marina Committee had a rejection approved for the shower and restroom project because the bids were too high.

>>11 new voting booths were purchased at a cost of $9438 that will be paid back through grants.

>>Memory card readers were purchased at a cost of $75-hundred with a grant reimbursing the general fund.

>> Insurance polices for workman's compensation and liability were approved for $140,678.

>> An appraisal of the power plant was approved for $65-thousand. Most of this cost will come from the Clinton School District.

>> The 2013 Budget was approved. Find more on this next week on Regional Radio.