Macoupin County Realizes Budget Surplus
Carlinville - In today’s economy, local governments have become used to bracing for bad news when a financial audit is revealed. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Macoupin County Board, its members were greeted with positive news from the County’s independent auditors: a surplus of more than $219,000 in its General Fund last fiscal year. “

A budget surplus in today’s economy is not only rare,” Manar told the members of the County Board, “but also something that you and Macoupin County’s officials should be extremely proud of. This audit verifies that we have been incredibly disciplined as a county government... read more

Macoupin County Takes Hard Line to Ban Synthetic Drugs
Carlinville - Just more than two weeks ago, Macoupin County Board Chairman Andy Manar was joined by the Macoupin County State’s Attorney, Sheriff, local Police Chiefs, and representatives from the Anti-Meth Coalition to describe the effect synthetic drugs can have on an individual, a family, and a community. Manar said that there was no time to sit and wait for others to take care of the problem for Macoupin County; rather, it was important that the County take action soon to do whatever was possible to criminalize the sale and use of these drugs locally. The County Board did just that when it unanimously approved the adoption of a comprehensive county-wide synthetic drug ban on Tuesday.

“Today the county board took action that no other county in the state has taken,” said Manar following the Board meeting. “We are aiming to be a part of the solution that attacks the sale and use of synthetic drugs in our communities. We are doing so not only by criminalizing those acts, but also by focusing on prevention through mandating counseling for offenders.” Manar was referring to the fact... read more

Click to Watch Synthetic Drug Ban Press Conference
Macoupin Makes National News

Macoupin County to Impose Comprehensive Ban on Synthetic Drugs
Carlinville - Macoupin County Board Chairman Andy Manar was joined by chief County law enforcement agents, State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson and Sheriff Don Albrecht, on Thursday to announce a plan to impose a strict ban on synthetic drugs in the County. Members of local law enforcement and Macoupin County Anti-Meth Coalition representatives were also in attendance to demonstrate their support for the proposed county ban which will become one of the first in the state to be adopted.

Manar explained at the conference that the Macoupin County ordinance would actually be the first ban in the state known to mandate counseling for offenders in addition to the already hefty fines imposed. “The first intention is to show those individuals buying, using, and selling these drugs that we are serious about prosecuting these crimes in Macoupin County,” said Manar. “The way this ordinance is unique is its angle on prioritizing the prevention of future... read more

Macoupin County Puts "Checkbook" Online
Carlinville -Last month at the County Board's January meeting, Board Chairman Andy Manar and County Clerk Pete Duncan made an announcement that the County would begin to expand their definition of "public documents” by placing thousands of county records on the county’s public website. This past week, Duncan and Manar discussed additional actions that continue to build upon their moves to facilitate an open government and allow taxpayers an easier path to freely access public records – the establishment of a process to put the “checkbook” of Macoupin County government online.

“It is obvious to me that taxpayers want government to continue to find ways to provide more access to public records,” said Manar. “Taxpayers want to see what County government is doing. And in terms of public records, nothing is more important to taxpayers today than how their tax dollars are being spent. So with the addition of these monthly spending reports,... read more

Macoupin County Board Opposes Closure of Springfield Postal Facility
Carlinville - From Shipman north to Virden, all zip codes that begin with “626” in Macoupin County have the potential to be greatly affected by a change underway by the United States Postal Service.

“As a County Board, this is an issue that we should take a stand on knowing that it will impact not just communities in Macoupin County but all of Central Illinois as a region,” said Board Chairman Andy Manar. “What is at stake here is the loss of 400 regional jobs and a mail delivery system that is less efficient and more costly for... read more

Alton Telegraph: Macoupin Sets an Example for Others

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