Madison County Board

Chairman Kurt Prenzler was shocked to hear about plan to changes his duties to appoint officials and department heads.

The $28 million increase in the budget is meant to cover some “one-time costs” the county will incur this year, plus wage increases and county projects that were postponed due to the pandemic.

County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said people should have the freedom to choose whether to wear a mask.

The Madison County Board of Health has an advisory committee of health professionals, but its members were not consulted for input on the masking resolution.

The county government hopes to bolster its network security to prevent what happened to neighboring St. Clair County.

One day before the vote, Democrats and Republicans on the board heavily criticized the plan.

The plan would cut the number of seats on the Madison County board from 29 to 25.

A redistricting map proposed by the County Board Chairman would cut the number of members of the county board from 29 to 25.

The Board approved the appointment of three county board members Friday night.

Board members say Chairman Kurt Prenzler continuously attempted to “go around” the board with appointees and surprise last-minute votes.