The Jasper County Board will meet Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. at the Jasper County Office Building, 204 W. Washington St. in Newton. The meeting will also be available by phone and Zoom.
The September meeting agenda includes reports from county departments and elected officials, action items involving drainage districts and county claims, an updated Animal Control Warden agreement, funding for a Wade Township road project and discussion of the county’s 2027 health insurance rates.
According to the September 2026 board meeting packet, Wade Township was selected by the Illinois Department of Transportation to receive $150,000 through the Local Project Funding Program for construction of MVP Road. The project will consist of an aggregate base and oil-and-chip surface. The funding will be administered through the County Highway Department, with 95% expected in advance and the remaining 5% upon completion. The county budget will need to be amended to accommodate the funding.
The board’s packet indicates approximately $50,000 of the Wade Township project funding is anticipated to be expended during FY2026, with the remaining project expenditures occurring in a subsequent fiscal year.
The Highway Department also reports that right-of-way mowing began at the beginning of September. In addition, the department plans to solicit Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications from professional engineering consultants for engineering services and assistance with obtaining funding for a Yager Bridge project. The existing Yager Bridge is currently the only bridge on a Jasper County Highway that is load posted.
Animal Control Agreement
Old business includes consideration of an updated Independent Contractor Agreement for Jasper County Animal Control Warden Alisha Wise. The chairman’s briefing says the agreement is intended to establish the position as an independent contractor and outline responsibilities, expectations, accountability and termination provisions.
The Animal Control report for August lists 16 county calls, nine city calls, 1,437 miles driven, two dogs impounded, no pets relinquished, no abuse/neglect reports and no bite reports. The report also notes that two dogs were impounded during August, with one later reclaimed by its owner.
The packet also includes recognition from the Best Friends Animal Society for Jasper County Animal Control achieving a no-kill status, defined in the recognition as maintaining a save rate of 90% or more for cats and dogs.
County Finances and Department Reports
The Treasurer’s August 31 report shows $1,040,000.26 in General Fund income for the month and $474,004.26 in General Fund expenses, leaving an over/under figure of $565,996.00. For the fiscal year, General Fund income totaled $3,395,900.90 against expenses of $3,609,734.08, resulting in a net loss of $213,833.18.
The meeting packet’s executive dashboard also reports an August General Fund revenue figure of $1,040,000.26 and expenses of $474,004.26. The dashboard lists the General Fund balance at $3,177,512, compared with $3,534,479 in August 2025.
The August Ambulance Service report lists 72 911 transports, 40 transfers, four accidents, 17 refusals and 10 mutual-aid standby calls. The manager’s report notes that an ambulance struck a deer while transporting a patient. The ambulance was taken to a body shop, repaired and returned to service.
The Health Department’s August dashboard reports 364 nursing clients served, 476 behavioral health clients served, 102 WIC office visits, 57 immunizations given, 18 tuberculosis skin tests and 10 lead screenings.
2027 Health Insurance
New business also includes discussion of the HopeTrust 2027 County Health Insurance Rates. The chairman’s briefing states the board will review renewal rates, available health plan options and the county’s employer contribution toward employee health insurance. Board direction will be needed regarding plan selection and 2027 contribution levels.
The meeting packet lists no executive or closed session as anticipated for Thursday’s meeting.
Jasper County Board Agenda
Thursday, September 17, 2026 — 6:00 P.M.
County Office Building • 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
1. SHERIFF’S PROCLAMATION, MOMENT OF SILENCE & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
*2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
5. REPORTS
COUNTY DEPARTMENTS
A. AMBULANCE SERVICE
B. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
C. HEALTH DEPARTMENT
COUNTY POSITIONS/SERVICES
D. BUILDING MAINTENANCE
E. JASPER COUNTY COURTHOUSE
F. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
G. ANIMAL CONTROL
ELECTED OFFICIALS
H. TREASURER
I. OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS/OFFICES
6. CONSENT AGENDA – A single vote to approve the following items:
A. Approval of Jasper County Board, August 20, 2026 and September 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes
B. Reappointment of Dwight Sappenfield as Commissioner of the Mint Creek Drainage District [2029]
C. Appointment of Steven Smith as Trustee of the North Fork Conservancy District [2031]
D. Reappointment of Aaron Ochs as Commissioner of the Sainte Marie Drainage and Levee District [2029]
E. File County Reports
F. Allow Claims
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Adoption of Jasper County Animal Control Warden Independent Contractor Agreement
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Adoption of Resolution to Amend FY2026 Budget for Wade Twp. MVP Road Local Project Funding Program
B. HopeTrust 2027 County Health Insurance Rates
9. BOARD & CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
*10. EXECUTIVE / CLOSED SESSION
11. ADJOURNMENT
Next Board Meeting — Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Except as otherwise stated, approval requires the voice vote of a majority of those County Board members present.
The Jasper County Board members listed on the agenda are Chairman Jason Warfel, Vice-Chairman Ron Heltsley, Austin Francis, Michael Geier, James Judson, A.C. Pickens, Jessica Schackmann, Eric Spiker and Doug Weddell.
