Pike County Council Meeting Notes 12/22/25 by Leif Erickson Carter - B97.5 Pike County Government Affairs Correspondent

Pike County (Illinois) Board Approves Self-Funded Unemployment Plan, Selects Loan Rate, and Much Contention in December 22 Meeting

Pittsfield, IL – December 24, 2025 – The Pike County Board held its regular meeting on December 22, 2025, addressing insurance decisions, financing needs, and ongoing internal tensions highlighted by a recent vote of no confidence.

The board discussed whether to continue paying approximately $25,000 annually to a company for unemployment insurance or switch to a self-funded plan, given the county's low claims history of just $549. Board member Derek Ross raised the idea but cautioned that self-funding could be risky. Dan moved to adopt the self-funded plan, with Joey seconding the motion. The board approved the change, and Natalie will notify IRCMT of the decision.

A point of contention arose regarding the county's property and casualty insurance. In November meetings, the board had twice voted against renewing with Serma. However, an IRCMT representative later presented a renewal contract. Chairperson Reta Hoskins expressed surprise, noting she believed a prior statement from board member Walker indicated renewal was unnecessary due to existing membership with IRCMT, though she acknowledged it might have been a misunderstanding. An email about the contract was sent to Walker and Natalie, with Hoskins also copied. Vice Chair Tom signed the agreement without Hoskins' prior knowledge, which she planned to address. The tight deadline—5 p.m. the following day—left insufficient time to review the quarter-inch-thick document fully. Hoskins stated no one contacted her by phone about the signing and emphasized that Walker did not "throw [her] under the bus." Walker maintained the choice was binary: with Serma rejected, IRCMT was the only option. After discussion, a motion passed to approve the IRCMT contract, though Derek, Lance, and Joey voted nay.

In financing matters, the board opened bids for a tax anticipation note. United Community Bank offered 5.08%, while Farmer's State Bank bid 4.67%. Lance moved to accept Farmer's State Bank's lower rate for Fiscal Year 2026, seconded by Derek, and the motion carried. A separate resolution authorized issuance of a $1.3 million anticipation note with Farmer's State Bank at 4.67% plus a $250 application fee. Tom moved, Don seconded, and it was approved.

Chairperson Reta Hoskins delivered remarks in response to a vote of no confidence passed against her in November:“I haven't been on this board as long as some of you, and I only served as chair for one year, but during this time, I've watched this board dig the county into a financial hole, year after year. By overspending and covering it with one time funds. I've watched reasonable questions be dismissed and alternative ideas ridiculed. That's why I, along with many others, voted against the 2025 budget, and that is why I ran for chair, to try and change the direction we are heading. I did not create the financial problems and I did not create the divisions on the board. Those divisions exist because we fundamentally disagree on how to fix the problem. Some believe the solution is to continue tax increases. Some believe the solution is controlling spending. As chair, I've worked to bring more transparency to this process. We've made budget changes in open meetings, on record, livestreamed for the public to see. I've held a truth and taxation hearing that had not been done under previous chairs. While my meetings may not be as tightly run as in the past. I've made sure everyone, board members and the public alike, has had the opportunity to be heard. The vote of no confidence did not address our financial problems. It did not reduce spending. It did not help tax payers. It served to only distract from the real issues we're facing. The people of the county deserve honesty about where we are and how we got here. We don't have to agree on everything but we do have the responsibility to face reality and make responsible decisions, and that is the work ahead of us.”

Hoskins and County Treasurer Scott Syrcle cashed in three highway department CDs totaling $750,000 to repay funds borrowed from the Tort Fund and cover upcoming expenses. Hoskins noted, “It looks like we may not be able to cover all the expenses approved for December, and in January we won't be able to make our payroll without cashing in those 3 CDs.”

Other appointments included naming Derek Ross as head of the Finance Committee, with Don Foster remaining a member. For the Two Rivers Regional Counseling Governing Board, Don Foster agreed to fill a vacancy after Hoskins previously removed Joey, leaving Derek, Lance, and Mark in place.The board also noted a $350,000 grant for security-related improvements, supplemented by $70,000 from judicial funds.

The next Pike County Board meeting schedule will be Monday, January 26th at 7:00pm in the Upper Court Room at the Courthouse.