The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. The meeting was called to
order at 7:00 pm by proclamation according to law by Sheriff Francis. Sheriff Francis led a moment in
silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Heltsley,
Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell.
Public comments: Herb Meeker questioned the board about what was brought up at the City Election
Forum about animal control. He asked what the agreement was with the city and county responsibilities
and financial. Miller noted the Animal Control Act requires the county to provide administrator and
animal officer. The agreement and act would take a great amount of time to explain.
Warfel asked all board members to review the items on the consent agenda, if any one member wishes
to have an item removed from the consent agenda to discuss and vote on separately, they may request
it.
Swick made a motion to approve the agenda. Kerner seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice
vote.
Committee Reports: Standing Committees
Ambulance Department: The Jasper County Ambulance Committee met on Wednesday March 3rd,
2021. Informational Items: Building and Grounds: Jesse Yager had to clear snow off the parking twice
during the have snow fall on the 15th of February. Daniel spoke with Ben at the Highway Department
about doing a maintenance coat on the parking lot and Ben said he would get it scheduled. Equipment
updates: The fuel neck on the fuel tank on unit 2357 will have to be repaired. The annual state
inspections have been completed and all units have passed. Next scheduled meeting will be
Wednesday, April, 7th 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Runs are attached.
Buildings: The Building Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, March 8 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Tom’s Report: The bigger dumpster has been delivered. Fiberglass posts for the bulletin board have
been ordered. The basement door lock has been replaced at courthouse. The trash cans from DM
Welding are finished, and plans for installation have been made. There has been a request to build a
wall around the furnace in the courthouse. The city will fix the wash out in the county building drive
through. Closers for the emergency exits still need to be installed. Tom plans to install a door between
Clinton’s lobby and office. Old Business: Donna Code handed out material with gazebo options and
prices for the courthouse lawn. This gazebo could be used for entertainment, such as bands and
festivals, but the structure could serve many purposes. Different ideas for the structure were discussed
but no permanent decisions have been made. Possible location and handicap accessibility were two
topics that were considered. Currently, there is no figure present, but the committee expressed interest
in involving local businesses. No progress has been made on the courtroom wall or the assessor’ office
wall. A deadline should be set, and if the current carpenter fails to make this deadline, another
carpenter should be located. The installation of the courthouse surveillance system is expected to be
done within the next week or two. Tom only has the wires at present. Danny expressed plans of picking
up shelving for record protection. Help will be needed. On March 25th, sealed bids will be opened for
the sheriff building project. New Business: A request has been made to change the courthouse light
bulbs to blue in April for Autism Awareness Month, as well as putting things on the courthouse lawn.
Tom will contact Tiffany Keller to address it. The mower blade cannot handle large amounts of snow.
The new plan for large snowfalls is to use a side by side with a blade. The courthouse lawn needs lawn
care. The current generator will be too small for the new sheriff’s department building. Plans to donate
the current generator have been mentioned. Discussion for the five-year plan has been moved to next
month’s meeting. Next meeting April 12 th at 7:00 pm.
Finance: The Jasper County Finance Committee met on Monday, March 8 th , 2021. Carl Baker from
the U of I Extension comes every year to address the committee. The U of I Extension staff were all
sent home to work on March 17 th , 2020 due to Covid. No increase in funding is requested from the
board. Starting in April the offices will be fully open. The 2020 4-H Exhibition was virtual throughout the
state of Illinois. They are developing programing for the alternative education located in Willow Hill. A
horticulture educator has been hired and grow the master gardeners. SNAP helped write a grant for
Master Hands to help improve the food bank and to offer food education information. They are
relocating the extension office by June 30th due to the sale of the building they are currently in.
Treasurer’s Report: Bigard reported the general fund income and the expenses. Fiscal year to date
totals are State/General Fund Income $581,294.89, Personal property income is $43,718.04, total
income $625,012.93. Expenses to date $766,893.66 with a net loss of $141,880.73. Bigard stated the
Law Enforcement Center has already started with expenses, but until money is moved over, it will look
this way. Clinton asked how the committee would like to handle the moving of the money. Clinton will
transfer funds and report monthly. Clinton stated plan on real estate taxes not to be on time. The board
of review is a month late. It will affect all taxing bodies and not sure how this would affect the school
district. Statute states June 1, but it is currently August 15 th and September 15 th , the previous due date
was August 1st and September 1st for many years until 10 years ago. Bigard is also concerned about
the cost of the audits because it would cross over two fiscal years. Other counties have an established
committee to keep discussion going. Public needs to be aware it puts pressure on the treasurer’s and
county clerk’s office to get things completed by working late nights and on weekends to get tax bills out
without moving the due dates. It also does not allow Bigard to plan for part-time help during tax
collection. Bigard also brought up address changes that come in the mail on cards when someone
changes address to where a tax bill is getting sent. The county is paying $ 0.62 to get the updated
address change cards. The assessor’s office is refusing the cards when they are received and wanting
the Treasurer’s office to type them up on a spreadsheet. This is creating work that is not needed.
Bigard said by the time the assessor’s office wants them there is a possibility the address is no longer a
current address. CIC the county’s accounting and budget software renewal agreement is due, the
pricing did not change from last year. Swick made a motion to approve the CIC Agreement renewal for
$12,600. Bollman seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. SDS has presented quotes
for cloud storage for $41 a month for the treasurer’s and county clerk’s office and $270 for the
assessor’s office. Going to look into alternatives, possibly put another server elsewhere. 2020 IMRF
statements have been received. The start of last year the Regular Reserve Account started with $5.6
million and ended the year at $7.6million. The investment income was good. One person retired and
their retirement was paid. Rates are low and caught up and good. A raise over 6% was given to an
employee who was going to retire, creating an accelerated payment. The department was made aware
this was going to create an accelerated payment. The department head choose to still give the raise
and said they would pay for the accelerated payment. The accelerated payment is $20,465.96 and will
need to be paid to IMRF. Clinton will let the department know they owe this amount. Bigard also raised
concern that a department was contacting IMRF and he is the authorized agent for the county
otherwise no one should be able to get information other than for themselves. He will speak to IMRF
about this. Next meeting Monday, April 12 th , 2021 at 8:30 am at the County Building
Highway Department: Road and Bridge met March 8, 2021 at 7:00 am. Old Business: Discussion
was held again on the Renewal of the Material Tax Levy being placed on the April 6, 2021 ballot. The
committee recommended bringing up for discussion at County Board for any new discussion about this
renewal. New Business: Discussion was held on the bids that were received for a new tandem cab &
chassis truck. The low bid was received from Truck Center, Inc., Effingham, IL for a New 2022 Tandem
Axle Freightliner in the amount of $57,621 with a trade in of our 2002 International. Pickens made a
motion and was seconded by Hickox to accept the bid of $57,621 with Truck Centers, Inc. The motion
carried on a voice vote. Motion will need Full Board approval. Engineering Services Agreement with
Connor & Connor, Inc. for Crooked Creek Township, Section 21-01131-00-DR was also discussed.
Rebuild Illinois Funds are being used to improve an existing concrete bridge with a new aluminum box
culvert. This location is on 2000N approximately 1 mile east of State Highway 130. Hickox made a
motion and was seconded by Pickens to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Connor &
Connor, Inc. The motion carried on a voice vote. These Engineering Agreements will need Full Board
approval. Foreman’s mileage for February 2021 was 1,568 miles. The next scheduled meeting will be
on April, 12 th 2021 at 7:00 am.
Operations: The Operations Committee of Jasper County met on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at
6:00 pm. In new business, Jason Boothe spoke on the Hope Trust healthcare plan, which is the plan
that the county is currently on. The three plans that are currently available in Jasper County are the
Hope 1500, Hope 4000, and Hope 5000 as well as the HRP plan for employees on another major
medical plan. A list of providers that are contracted with Hope Trust was handed out. Employees that
go to these preferred providers should only be expected to pay $1,400. In addition to this, employees
can expect no out-of-pocket expenses at health departments. No out-of-pocket expenses can also be
expected for primary care if employees are seen by Dr. Scherer. Under the Affordable Care Act,
employers have to maintain less than a 9.83% cost of health insurance of employee income. Failure to
do this will result in penalties from the IRS. Plans were made for Hope Trust to educate employees
about their plans on March 15 th . Heltsley made the comment that other healthcare plans should be
explored. Old business was held in closed session to discuss FOP negotiations with the county.
Heltsley made a motion to go into closed session. Geier seconded the motion. The motion carried on a
voice vote. We went into closed session at 7:17 and came out of closed session at 8:09. Next
meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Department heads are invited to the meeting.
Public Safety: Public Safety did not met February 15 th , 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Due to snow storm. Next
meeting will be March 15 th , 2021 at 6:00 pm.
Special Committee
Law Enforcement Center Planning Committee: Bid process is started and posted. March 16 th for
bidders to come over and look the jail over. March 25 th will open to the bids.
Informative
Board of Health- In Packet
Chamber of Commerce- Talked about the virtual tour, jeep run, fall festival. Chamber banquet moved to
fall.
Economic Development (JEDI) –The JEDItalks can be found on our website:
https://jaspercountyillinois.org/jeditalks 360 Videos: After speaking with Adrian Guzman, a simple video
with no talking would be $100-$150 and one with a voiceover will be $250-$300 per business. It would
take him 24-48hours to finish a video. JEDI has 20 brick-and-mortar businesses members and 2-3
other. If we look to do a 360 video for all the brick-and-mortar businesses on the high end would be
$6,000 and for the others doing a regular video high end $450 totaling around $6,450. JEDI has
recently received $11,500 in Enterprise Zone Fees due to two new projects. We also have 3 more new
businesses that will be looking to implement the Enterprise Zone this year. Motion to approve $6,450
for the business videos made by Johnson, second by Bolander. Roll call was taken: Yes: Dhom, Harris,
Brown, Ochs, Hartke, Johnson, Bolander. No: Warfel, Heltsley, Weddell, Bollman, Kindkade. Motion
passed. After discussion it was decided to have the Chamber be the first 360 video. JEDItalks: We will
start doing more JEDItalks. There is current discussion on if we should do them during a different time
than our monthly meetings via Zoom and invite the public or keep them at the first Tuesday of the
month. I am currently working on closing out the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. There
will be a public hearing on March 16 th at 5:30pm at the Newton City Hall. We will be meeting in person
starting April 6 th at 10:30am at the Chamber building with the option of Zoom.
Joint tax abatement: Meeting was held on February 23, 2021 at 5p.m. at the Ste. Marie Village Hall.
Howard Atkinson from ASL Solutions informed the committee of this warehouse expansion and
construction. The demand for Dog Houses is seasonal and the additional warehouse space would
allow ASL to produce and store more houses through the year and expand employment. Motion to
approve ASL solutions request for tax abatement on the new warehouse construction according the 5-
year tax abatement scheduled outlined by Jasper County’s resolution was made by Andrew Johnson
and seconded by Ryan Hawkins a roll call vote was taken with Thompson, Ochs, Johnson, Hawkins,
Mendenhall and Warfel all voting in favor, none voting in opposition. The committee adjourned and
was dissolved, a new committee will be formed when another request is received of the impacted
taxing bodies. I agree with Mr. Leffler’s recommendation that in the future the board member who
represents that area or district will serve as the county’s representative. This tax abatement for
business and industry growth is a resource we can use in the future to spur economic growth.
Hickox made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of
County Board February 11, 2021 Minutes, Approval of February and March Standing Committee
Minutes, Approval of University of Illinois Extension Annual Agreement, Approval of CIC Accounting
Software Annual Contract, Approval of Bid for a New 2022 Tandem Axle Freightliner for Highway
Department, Approval of Highway Department Engineering Service Agreement with Connor & Connor,
File County Reports, Allow Claims; Pickens seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old business:
Our County Engineer Ben Bland explained this is the final board meeting before the Renewal of
Material Tax Levy on the April 6 ballot. Renewal of the Material Tax is very important for the county. In
1991 the Material Tax was on the ballot for the first time, this will be the 6 th time on ballot. The tax is
used for materials only. This is not a new tax; it is a renewal. The tax rate has not increased since
1991. We would loose approximately 20 miles of road oiling if not passed. Vote Yes
New Business:
Heltsley pointed out the opening of the bids will take place on Thursday, March 25 th at 10 am in the
Board Room. Because the next regular board meeting will not occur for another 3 weeks it was
proposed to have a Special Board Meeting on the evening of Wednesday, March 31. The item to be
considered is the received bids on the Jasper County Law Enforcement Center Project and the next
step this board wishes to take regarding this project. Special Board Meeting Wednesday, March 31,
2021 at 8:00 p.m. [2/3 Vote Required] All board members signed the request for a special meeting.
Board Comments: None
Chairman’s Comments: None
No action will be taken after closed session.
Bollman made a motion to go into closed session at 7:31 pm to consider the following Discussion of
Litigation 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Geier seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote with
Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and
Weddell voting yes.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 8:30 pm. Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, April 15 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
