Debolt Named Shelby County Coroner

Shelby County board members have appointed Beth Debolt as county coroner.

Debolt will succeed Fayette County Coroner David Harris, who had been serving as interim coroner following the death of Brad Phegley. Debolt's appointment is effective immediately.

The Shelby board filled two vacancies with the appointment of Judy Wood as board member from District #2 and Tricia Miller as board member from District #7. One other vacancy remains as proposed board member James Mitchell from District #1 could not attend the meeting.

Board members also approved a request for opioid settlement funds for Shelby County Community Services, and also voted to establish the Shelby County Rescue Squad. There has been a squad but County Board Chairman Tad Mayhall said it was not properly formed. New legisation passed by the Illinois General Assembly allowed the squad to be re-formed. Jordan Camic was named the chairman of the Rescue Squad.

The Board also addressed the matter of the Shelby County payroll. Mayhall said the payroll falls under the purview of the County Clerk's office, but has been handled in Shelby County for decades by the County Treasurer's office. Mayhall said the Treasurer has decided not to continue those duties, so a private firm, ADP, has been hired to handle it until a solution can be found to bring the payroll back under County control.

Shelby board members also heard from County Engineer Michael Tappendorf on a series of bid awards for both county and township materials, engineering work and construction projects.