GALESBURG — Knox County Board members debated how to improve oversight of mental health funding during their Oct. 29 meeting. Some also raised questions about how to reach a broader range of organizations that apply for 708 Mental Health Board grants.

The discussion followed a report from the county 708 Mental Health Board allocating more than $2.2 million in grants.

Much of the discussion centered on fairness and accountability. Some county board members questioned whether the 708 board’s funding process favors large, established agencies over smaller local groups, and whether there is enough follow-up to make sure the money is used as intended.

The Knox County 708 board distributes local tax revenue collected under Illinois’ Community Mental Health Act. Those funds support mental health, substance-use and developmental-disability programs through grants to area service providers. Each year, agencies apply for funding, which the 708 board reviews according to its published guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Debate centers on funding distribution

Although the mental health report was not up for board approval, several members expressed disappointment in the process for distributing Knox County 708 Mental Health funding. The board was informed that the funding for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, included $2,223,904 in approved funding and $1,843,393 in denied funding, for a total of $4,067,297 requested. The figures show that while many local agencies applied for support, some were denied because their proposals did not meet the 708 board’s funding guidelines.

Chairman calls for stronger accountability

Board Chairman Jared Hawkinson questioned the lack of a follow-up procedure to ensure the funds were spent for their intended purposes.

“The folks that are receiving the funding are not required to provide any documentation that the money they did receive was utilized in the effect that it was awarded,” he said. “I expressed my concern [last year] and, really, I was kind of angry that, look at the ARPA grants that we gave out. We were super strict on those; you have to provide us with this before you get the money.”

According to the 708 board’s own funding guidelines, agencies are required to maintain records and submit evaluation reports. But Hawkinson and others said those provisions appear to lack consistent enforcement at the county level.

Hawkinson said he would follow up with the 708 board to ensure the money is being used as intended.

“And if it’s not, give it back because there’s plenty of other organizations out there that could use the funding,” he added.

Board questions repeated funding

Pamela Davidson, a board member from District 3, said she was concerned about the organizations that are regularly funded while others are not.

“I say this every year, I think the 708 board is a wonderful thing because of the mental health services we have,” she said. “If you see our streets, we have a lot of mental health people, people that need the services that are provided.”

Part of the reason that happens, she was told, is that some organizations or requests do not fit the guidelines to qualify for the funding.

Landfill expansion and fee increase

Following the mental health debate, the board approved raising the fee for landfill dumping by $20 per ton, from about $43 to $63 per ton, beginning in January 2026. The increase is part of a $30 million project to expand the new Landfill Cell 4 and properly close Cell 3.

“I know we have to do what we have to do,” said District 1 board member Cheryl Nache in response to the increase. “I realize this. But I do want the little guy to know that I don’t want it, but I will still vote for it because we have to have this done, and we can’t do it ourselves.”

District 4 board member Todd Olinger said the increase is unavoidable, stating the alternative is simply “no landfill,” because the work to build the new cell must now be done by outside contractors. Even with the new rate, the facility will remain the cheapest option in the region, he said.

Economic development and new businesses

Ken Springer, president of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, reported that full production is now underway at the Western Smokehouse Partners project at 1801 Monmouth Blvd. after less than a year of construction.

This development, at the former Maytag facility, is expected to create 150 to 180 new manufacturing jobs and generate $45 million to $50 million in investment, according to a City of Galesburg release.

Springer also told the board that three new businesses have occupied formerly vacant buildings in downtown Galesburg. Dante and Dory’s Pet Emporium is open at the intersection of Main and Seminary streets in the former Dollar General building. Judy’s Kitchen is now open at 5 N. Prairie St., and The Orange Cup Sidecar project at 337 E. Main St. is preparing to open as the fourth location for Orange Cup.

In other business

• The board approved placing the tentative 2025–26 county budget and tax levy on display for public viewing before it comes to the board for final approval next month.
• The board approved a memorandum of understanding with Scott County, Iowa, to house 20 prisoners at a cost of $60 per day.
• The board approved a fuel bid with Trillium for $560,658 and an agreement with Foth for the landfill project for $369,200.