By Steven Spencer
The Calhoun County Commissioners discussed several items at their regular board meeting on Monday, Jan. 12.
The commissioners approved the agreement and are moving forward with the sale of the U of I Extension Office to the Calhoun County Farm Bureau.
According to the minutes of the Dec. 1 meeting, the building was appraised at $55,000, and the commissioners agreed to accept the offer of $45,000, noting the amount that needs to be done.
The Farm Bureau has offered to continue to work with the U of I Extension and continue to hold the programs that are offered in the building now.
A special meeting was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m.
The commissioners briefly discussed the special meeting and will fill the vacancy left with the retirement of Sheriff Heffington at that time.
The commissioners also heard an update regarding plans for Perrin’s Ledge. The Historical Committee needs a permit to create an entrance on and off the highway. The site also requires some structural work on the building itself, as well as a tree that needs to be removed to help preserve the building.
The committee is also planning to apply for a grant through T-Mobile for $50,000 to help with work at the site.
In other business, the commissioners also heard from County Engineer Kyle Godar about the plans for the purchase of a ferry boat from the Calhoun Ferry Company.
Godar said he would be attending a meeting later in the week with Grafton as they speak with IDOT as well as Federal Highways to move forward with their separate purchase agreement for the Grafton Ferry.
The commissioners also heard an update from the Supervisor of Assessments office.
A number of additional homes have been picked up and added to the tax rolls. More than 30 homes and structures which is expected to reduce the overall tax burden for those in the county.
There are still buildings that have to be added for 2026. Buildings that the office is still determining the completion dates for.
The commissioners thanked everyone for their hard work, and noted over a million dollars in assessed value being found which is only one-third of the actual value.
The commissioners also discussed the need to contact people who had not received proper building permits.
