PIKE COUNTY BOARD MEETING ERUPTS OVER REPUBLICAN BALLOT DISPUTE, INSURANCE AND FINANCES

PITTSFIELD, IL — A public confrontation over a Republican ballot decision, uncertainty surrounding county insurance coverage and discussion of a proposal to hold property tax collections flat highlighted the Pike County Board meeting Wednesday evening.

Griggsville resident Christine Hinthorn challenged County Board Chair Reta Hoskin during public comments over a July meeting of the Pike County Republican Precinct Committee concerning replacement of Natalie Roseberry on the November county clerk ballot.

Hinthorn said Hoskin supported Democratic county clerk candidate Brenda Despain and recommended that the party leave its ballot position vacant rather than select another Republican nominee. Hinthorn said the committee instead voted to place Ashley Gregor on the ballot.

Asked directly by Hinthorn whether she had recommended against placing a Republican candidate on the ballot, Hoskin replied, “I did.” Hoskin then questioned what the matter had to do with County Board business.

Hinthorn said she had spoken with the precinct committee chairman and believed meeting minutes supported her account. She described Hoskin' action as “downright dirty and dishonest,” accused her of limiting voter choice, and suggested she consider resigning from the Republican committee and possibly the County Board.

Hinthorn said she did not know whether Hoskin' action was illegal. No evidence establishing unlawful conduct was presented during the meeting. Her criticism concerned the political decision and its implications for the election.

Dr. Chris Lanhum, who said he served on the same Republican committee, challenged the completeness and fairness of Hinthorn's account. “That's part of the picture,” he said. “I'm on that committee, and that's not a fair assessment towards Reta.”

Lanhum acknowledged that some of Hinthorn's facts were true and offered to discuss the situation directly with her, but said that “going at Reta like that is unfair.” He did not give a detailed account of the committee discussion during his public remarks.

PIKE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SEEKS COUNTY SUPPORT

Gina Sherman, executive director of Pike County Chamber and Economic Development, asked the board to return the organization's annual partnership funding to the county budget. She said the county and organization have worked together since 1999, and her organization has assisted with approximately $2.3 million in identified grant awards for county projects over the past two years.

Sherman also said her organization had worked with more than 25 potential small businesses on startup and expansion questions in the past year. She argued that consistent funding would help recruit outside investment, assist municipalities and strengthen the county's tax base.

INSURANCE DISPUTES LEAVE COVERAGE QUESTIONS UNRESOLVED

Board members spent considerable time debating HOPE Trust employee health coverage after the trust warned that the county could face involuntary termination from its health insurance pool. The conflict involves the county's contribution toward a Health Reimbursement Plan.

County officials questioned whether the governing agreement clearly required at least a 50 percent county contribution to the plan. A HOPE Trust representative maintained that the requirement applied to every option under the broader program and said the trust's executive board has authority to remove participating employers.

The representative explained that a 120-day notice provision applies to voluntary departures, not involuntary termination. He also said the county could remain responsible for outstanding claims after leaving the trust. No termination vote was reported during the meeting.

Board member Derek Ross moved to have Squire Insurance Agency seek alternative 2027 health insurance quotes in case replacement coverage becomes necessary. The motion received no second and therefore did not advance. The board plans further discussion of the reimbursement-plan contribution.

A separate motion to have Squire seek property and casualty insurance bids also died for lack of a second. Board leaders described a notice of nonrenewal from the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust effective December 1, 2026, and a dispute over which insurance agency was authorized to handle the county's coverage.

COUNTY LEADERS PROPOSE ZERO-PERCENT LEVY INCREASE

Hoskin and Ross presented a preliminary 2027 tax levy designed to hold the total amount collected from property taxpayers at the previous year's level. The zero-percent proposal involves changes to general fund, health department and highway-related amounts, but it has not been approved.

Officials pointed to an approximately $62,700 annual difference between the retired health department administrator's former salary and benefits and a $50,000 management agreement with Adams County. They also discussed borrowing for retirement obligations, cash-flow challenges and the need to establish stronger financial reserves.

PAST AUDITS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS

The board reviewed corrective action plans following the filing of the 2023 county audit on October 1. Repeated findings concern personnel records, supporting expense documentation, fund balances and financial controls. Members also asked about an approximately $208,000 accounts-payable duplication that was corrected in subsequent audit records.

Ross urged the county to carry out corrective actions rather than merely submit plans. Officials also discussed a contingency fund, potential retroactive pay for sheriff's department employees and anticipated aerial mapping expenses.

The board is expected to return to outstanding insurance and financial matters in upcoming meetings.