Community Continues to Speak about Jail – County Board July

Unofficial Minutes of the Jasper County Board Meeting for July 11. After the minutes, there will be additional notes from the meeting that are not part of the unofficial minutes.

The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Members present were Bollman, Leffler, Fehrenbacher, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Warfel, Pickens, and Weddell. Swick and Kerner was absent. 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.
Public comments:
Heltsley read from UCCI practical Guide to County Government Law on what the board has control over and does not.
David Michl approached board about the location of new jail. He is part of the New Beginnings
Church and has concerns about location of the new jail. Andre Leachman is also from New Beginnings Church and spoke on the location of the jail also. Christy Wagner wants more openness about the jail. Marla Reynolds was the administrative assistant at the Health Department for over 20 years. She was presented a plaque for her retirement and her years of service. A speech was given about her years of service.
Warfel made a motion to approve the agenda. Michl seconded the motion. Motion carried a voice vote.
Committee Reports:
The Road and Bridge Committee met on July 8 th at the Highway Office. Bridge Aid Petition with Smallwood Township was approved. Location: 100N, ¼ mile east of 900E. Foreman’s mileage for June was 1,458 miles.
The Sheriff’s Committee met on July 1st. Sheriff Francis advised the committee that Casandra Charters has been hired as the Full-Time Office Manager at the Sheriff’s Office. Charters has previously worked at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office as a Dispatcher. Charters first day will be July 8th . Francis advised the committee that Madonna Bunton will work part-time to help train Casandra Charters during the month of July and will help part-time when needed in the future. Francis advised the committee that the Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for part-time Correctional Officer. The deadline for these applications are July 12 th . Francis advised the committee that Garrett Finn is in Week 5 of Training at the University of Illinois Police
Training Institute. Finn is scheduled to graduate on August 20 th . Francis advised the committee that during the last 3 Wednesdays in July Sheriff’s Deputies will be participating in Active Shooter Training at Newton High
School. The training is free. Training Instructors are Mark Flach and Wesley Hamilton with the Illinois State Police. Francis advised the committee that one of the patrol units is going to need a new motor. The price of a new motor is roughly $7,000. At this time Sheriff Francis is not in favor of fixing the patrol unit. Francis advised the committee that he has received quotes for new patrol units from Pennington Ford and McClane Motors. Francis also advised that he has received quotes for used Ford Explorers from the Kansas Highway Patrol. These units have just under 50,000 miles and come equipped with lights and sirens for $21,000. The Sheriff advised the committee that he is considering purchasing 2 of these patrol units instead of 1 new unit. The committee and the Sheriff discussed these options. Leffler made a motion to approve the purchase of 2 used Ford Explorers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Weddell seconded the motion. All in favor Motion carried. Francis advised the committee that he had previously looked into a possible grant for a new patrol car
but will probably wait until next year before applying for that grant.
The Finance Committee met on July 8 th . Clinton Bigard reported on the General Fund Income and General Fund Expenses. Clinton reported the expenses were higher. The Tax Bills have went out and the 1st distribution will go out after the 1st due date. A motion was passed to sign a Jasper County Trustee Resolution to accept full payment of the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs from owner. Bigard spoke on the 2020 IMRF Rates. He gave a report on the history of the IMRF rates from 2004 to present. IMRF requires Salary and Benefits over $75,000 to be disclosed and handed out a copy and it is posted in the entrances of the building.
Tarr gave the cost of different phone provider options. The committee would like to have more information and have department heads to give their input. Tarr spoke the cost study of the County Clerk fees was completed by Kemper CPA Group. A cost study has not been done since 2008. The predictable fee schedule was to be in place by January 1, 2019 but the cost study had not been completed after it was approved in June 2018. She gave out a spread sheet showing the cost, the current fee, recommended fee and fees from surrounding counties.
A motion was passed to increase rates for the County Clerk’s fees. Hall mentioned having a cost study again in 3 to 4 years.
The Building Committee met on July 3 rd . The sidewalk on the north side of the County Building has not been done, waiting on Smithenry Trenching to start the work. Ron Diel said he would not put a hole in side of the county building for escape doors. Pickens is going to talk to Jeff Zumbahlen to see what he says and possibly talk to Randy McClure also. Approved $575 to put a window in county clerk’s office to see out into office. The committee will go and look at the lactation room and see how it has turned out. The new outside doors to the
north and south of the courthouse will be installed by Dan’s Glass July 17 th and 19 th . Pickens spoke with Henry Carpenter and he agreed to seal the south and lower east side of the courthouse for $12,000, not sure when he would complete this. 5 year plan – The plaster in the courtroom is getting worse and needs to be addressed with drywall and possibly as soon as December on the new budget. Hickox also brought up that the lobby courthouse
trim work needs to be brightened up and possibly refinishing the trim work. Pickens said he would try to meet with Sheriff Francis and Judge Koester on possibly the court helping fund the fixing of the courtroom. Sheriff’s Department Project – A Zone meeting is planned for July 15 th . A Special Board meeting may need to take place after this meeting. A decision needs to be made in the next 60 days on the direction to go because it will take 6 months for planning before any work can be done to be ready by next spring. Other sites are not feasible money wise. Hickox wants the committee to make a recommendation to the county board on a direction to go. Not sure what is going to happen at Zone meeting or if any legal problems arise but something needs to be done.
GIS committee did not meet.
The Ambulance Committee met on July 3 rd . Approved increase the ambulance base and mileage rates in 2 steps, this will allow the Ambulance Service to collect the full amount possible from the insurance companies. Daniel installed radio speakers in the sleep rooms to replace the pagers in the future. 2357 has had major service completed. Daniel and Lusas are scheduled to attend the ISAA Conference on September 17 th and 18 th in Peoria, IL. Lucas Ruholl has accepted the role of assistant manager.
The Insurance Committee did not meet.
EMA met July 11 th . 2 landings in June. The landing zones were inspected. The drone has been used drone, met with for Corvette Funrun will be helping with it.
The Animal Control met June 17 th . Approved to have Superior to pick up propane tank and have FS to set a
smaller tank. Approved to install 2 new doors and latch.
JEDI met on July 2 nd .
Personnel Committee did not meet.
Health Department report is in the board packet.
Weddell moved to approve the County Clerk’s report. Bollman seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Old Business:
The Building Permit meeting for the Sheriff’s Department is scheduled for July 15 at 6:00 pm.
New Business:

Hall made a motion to approve Bridge Aid Petition with Smallwood Township. Hall seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Some discussion on ambulance rates took place. Going to wait until next month after some questions are answered at the next ambulance committee meeting.
Pickens made a motion to approve the resolution to increase County Clerk fees. Weddell seconded the motion.
The motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Heltsley, Hickox, Warfel, Hall, Pickens and Weddell voting yes. Leffler, Fehrenbacher, and Michl voting no. Kerner and Swick was absent.
Warfel made a motion to reappoint Travis Farley (chairman), Brett Lesley, and Cindy Hinterscher to ethics committee for 2 year terms. Bollman seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Fehrenbacher made a motion to approve the prevailing wage resolution. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Heltsley, Fehrenbacher, Warfel, Hall, Pickens, Michl and Weddell voting yes. Leffler, and Hickox voting no. Kerner and Swick was absent.
Leffler made a motion to appoint Jeff Yoder to a 5 year term to North Fork Conservancy District. Hickox seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
There is going to be some costs involved with the Corvette Funrun and each government entity is going to help.
Some of the costs are permits, insurance, portable bathrooms, entertainment and transportation. It will be Thursday, September 19 th . Weddell made a motion to approve $1,500 donation to Chamber for Corvette Funrun out of Gaming Fund line item. Fehrenbacher seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Warfel moved to allow the claims. Pickens seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
County Board Comments:
Weddell stated the Chamber Jeep Run will be July 27 th and The Cruise Night will be August 2 nd . Warfel thanked the building committee for the use of the court house lawn for Elite Fitness. He also spoke of the upcoming
Cork and Pork Saturday, July 13 th in Sainte Marie. He also spoke on matter of personnel.
Chairman’s Comments:
United Counties Council of Illinois will pay up to $2,000 for a county board member from each county to go to Washington, DC. Let Heltsley know if interested.
No closed session.
The next board meeting is August 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 8:02 pm. Hickox seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk

Additional Notes not part of the unofficial minutes:
Public Comments:
Dave Michl spoke about the proposed jail location in near New Beginning Church. He cited the large amount of youth who attend their their church and concerns about the youth being outside with the jail so close. They have 70-80 kids that attend the youth activities and asked the board members if they would want it next to their church.

Andre Leachman spoke also about the locations near New Beginnings Church. He stated that is not the place it should be at and that next to the old jail would be a good start.
Christy Wagner asked the board to stop being so secretive and be more open about information. She cited the rumors spreading around about the jail.

In Board Comments Jason Warfel went more into depth about a recent personnel decision made in the County Clerk’s office and that the County Board has no say on the internal workings of the elected offices and he stated the inability to address the matter should not be taken as condoning or condemning the actions taken. The board members present have personal opinions on this matter and the way it was handled. He reminded that in Jasper County we are all neighbors and we should treat others the way we would want to be treated.