The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Monday morning at 9 a.m. for their first meeting of 2026.
The meeting opened with Board Chair Chad White addressing how meetings will be conducted moving forward under Robert’s Rules of Order. White explained that public comments will be limited to three minutes and may not disrupt meetings.
Supervisors approved the agenda and meeting minutes with several corrections before moving into department head updates.
During the Public Health report, officials noted several schools in the county are experiencing absentee rates of ten percent or higher. Residents were reminded to cover coughs, wash hands frequently, and stay home when sick to help reduce the spread of illness.
The General Assistance report highlighted services provided by The Fellowship Cup, which assisted 778 individuals during the previous month.
Assistant County Attorney Blake Vierra announced his resignation from the Henry County Attorney’s Office after five years of service. Vierra stated his decision was not related to any internal conflict and expressed appreciation for his time working in Henry County.
The Sheriff’s Office reported generating $4,297,974 in outside revenue by housing inmates from other counties. The department also reported responding to approximately 3,000 fewer calls than the previous year. Officials noted the county jail is fully staffed and the department is currently working to fill one remaining deputy sheriff position. Sheriff Rich McNamee also reminded motorists that as of January 1, using a cellphone while driving can result in a citation.
Supervisors later approved a resolution to hire Abbie Lietchy as the new Assistant County Attorney and approved a resolution allowing the County Treasurer to hold bonds for elected officials.
The board heard from Friends of Geode State Park regarding ongoing renovations to the park’s concession stand. Representatives explained the project has been completed largely through volunteer labor and support from local businesses, significantly reducing costs. The group requested additional funding from the county to complete the project. Supervisors took no action, stating the request will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from HUB International regarding the county’s ICAP insurance renewal. No action was taken, as supervisors said additional questions remain. The topic will be revisited at a future meeting.