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Bret Austin

Illinois Attorney General’s Office: “Adams County has acknowledged that its closed session discussions…were improper” 

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QUINCY — The Illinois Attorney General’s office has received the recordings of the closed sessions of the Adams County Board and Finance Committee meetings for May and acknowledged the board’s actions were “improper”.

Can we continue to trust the leadership of the Adams County Board?

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Members of the Adams County Board discussed their political futures behind closed doors during a closed session of their May 10 meeting. Bret Austin, Adams County Board vice chairman and Finance Committee chairman, assured his fellow board members these discussions would remain private, despite the fact they were being recorded.

Adams County State’s Attorney’s office turns over recordings of May closed session County Board, Finance Committee meetings

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QUINCY — Between the closed sessions of both the May 10 Adams County Board meeting and the May 6 Adams County Finance Committee meeting, County Board members spent a combined hour attempting to twist arms for a unanimous vote on salary increases and discussing the political ramifications of holding a vote just before an election.

Adams County Board showed lack of trust in voters, political process when going behind closed doors

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Multiple County Board members said the information wasn’t sent the week before in the County Board packet, nor was the matter discussed at either the July County Board meeting or the July Finance Committee meeting.

The District recognizes founders of Blues in the District after 25 years

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QUINCY — On July 22, the 25th anniversary of Blues in the District, officials with The District recognized and thanked the four founders responsible for bringing this free music concert series to Quincy — Karol Ehmen, Fran Cook, Bret Austin and Sandy Austin. This group had a vision for family-friendly free public concerts. With the […]

Adams County wants more non-profit agencies to apply for ARPA funds

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QUINCY — Agencies who haven’t turned in an application to receive American Rescue Plan Act funds from Adams County still have a chance to do so. Bret Austin, chairman of the executive committee, said during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Adams County Board that emails were sent to 138 non-profit agencies in Quincy asking if […]

Adams County Board passes $61.5 million budget for 2022

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QUINCY — The Adams County Board unanimously passed its fiscal year 2022 budget Tuesday night that absorbs increases in personnel and employee health insurance. It is a nearly $1.8 million increase over the FY2021 budget. The $61.5 million spending plan calls for four new corrections employees to accommodate the new jail and an additional $600,000 […]

Adams County looking at possible 32 percent increase in employee health insurance

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As Adams County prepares its 2022 budget, the Adams County Board received a little bit of sticker shock on one important item at Tuesday night’s meeting. Finance Committee Chair Bret Austin informed the Board that the County’s employee health insurance plan was looking at a 32 percent increase. “There are not a lot of options […]