Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
May16, 2024
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 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, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Spiker, Warfel, and Weddell. Pickens was absent.
Public comments: None
Adoption of the agenda. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.
Reports:
County Departments
Ambulance – April Runs 911 – 69; Refusal/no pt contact – 22; Transfers – 17; Discharges – 4; Mutual Aid assists – 17; Total 129. 3 EMTs have successfully passed Medic class – Hopefully by end of June they will have all the national testing completed and state license in hand and start training with another medic on a truck before being released to run on their own. EMS WEEK is May 19-25. If you have time, send them a thank you.
Highway Department – The 2023 Compliance Review was received from IDOT for County MFT, Township MFT and Township Bridge Funds. They certified the receipts and disbursements of these funds as documented by the county highway department and agree with the records maintained by the Department of Transportation. This must be reported to the Full Board and kept on file at the county highway office. The 2004 Peterbilt Solid Waste truck is listed on Trent Schmidt’s annual online equipment, truck, vehicle, and tool auction which ends on June 4, 2024. The guys will start mowing the county highway right of way before Memorial Day. Crooked Creek Township is utilizing the balance of their Rebuild Illinois Funds for a soil cement project. The letting for this construction is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2024. This is strictly a township funded project. Larry Stutzman is asking for a variance to the County Set-Back Ordinance along County Highway #14 (1375N – Hunt City East). He is requesting a variance of 45’ setback instead of the 80’. County Engineer visited the site. There was a discussion with the board. A location map is attached. A letting is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for a Fox Township Bridge. This bridge is located on township road 400N approximately 1 mile west of State Hwy 130. The West Liberty soil cement project is set for June 14, 2024 State Letting and Andrew will report on the results at next month’s board meeting.
Board of Health – Waiting on breaker boxes later this month and will finish exterior. Jason Wright is planning to fix the interior. A Health Fair will be held May 22 at West End Event Center 10 am – 1 pm. Safe Sitter Course will be held May 23. Next board of health meeting will be held June 3rd.
County Positions/Services
Building Maintenance – Nothing to report.
Technology – No fiber installation due to weather.
Animal Control – In Packet
Elected Officials
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for April was $251,615.77. The expenses for April were $240877.73. Total income less expenses for April a net of $10,738.04. Year to Date income was $1,260,030.95. Less Expenses were $1,553,362.29 with a net loss of $293,331.34.
Other Elected Officials/Offices
Consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening: Approval of County Board April 18, 2024 Minutes; Appointment of Ron Zwilling to a 2-Year (June 2026) Term
on the Jasper County Board of Review; Approval of Variance to County Set-Back Ordinance along
County Highway #14 (1375N – Hunt City East) 50 feet; Adoption of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week May 19-25, 2024 Proclamation; File County Reports and Allow Claims. There was no objection, the Consent Agenda was adopted.
Old Business
Adoption Of Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Offices (Coroner) For Fy2025-2028 – At least 180 days before December 1, 2024 (June 4, 2024) the Jasper County Board must decide the compensation for the County Coroner (FY2024 $20,000 salary with $109,908.25 in total earnings and benefits). Total earnings and benefits include the salary, retirement match, county-paid life, and health insurance, cell phone expenses, and employer share of withholdings. The $109,908.25 in total earnings and benefits does not include the state stipend of $6,500 that the coroner receives, it does however include the required benefits the County pays because of that stipend. Attached to the board packet is a resolution (the amount of compensation has not been inputted) for consideration as well as current compensation and salary compared to other counties. The comparables in counties with a population under 10,000, which would include Jasper County the average salary for a coroner is $14,597. At the current $20,000 salary we are well above that average. In counties with a population between 15,000 and 10,000, the average salary for a coroner is $17,712. At the current $20,000 salary we are above that average as well. In counites with a population between 15,000 and 20,000 the average salary for a coroner is $20,106. At the current $20,000 salary Jasper County is on par with a salary for a coroner that is twice our size in population. These numbers only speak to salary and not total compensation. No county under 30,000 in population in the State of Illinois pays the County Coroner a salary that would be considered a full-time position. (55 out of 102 counties are under 30,000 in population). Warfel felt the County Coroner position like all positions should be subject to an increase in salary over time, Warfel also pointed out that based on the comparables and the total compensation package for the position which included a $500 increase in the cell phone expense last fiscal year that the County of Jasper has been very generous to the County Coroner position in terms of salary and compensation. Before board members, this evening are projections on a few options in terms of salary increases. Projections have been calculated for a $250, $500, and $1,000 per year raise. A $250 per year raise would result in a $9,896.26 total additional cost to the county over 4 years with total earnings and benefits for the position being $113,866.75 in 2028. A $500 per year raise would result in a $19,792.50 total additional cost to the county over 4 years with total earnings and benefits for the position being $117,825.25 in 2028. A $1,000 per year raise would result in a $39,585 total additional cost to the county over 4 years with total earnings and benefits for the position being $125,742.25 in 2028. In addition to setting the coroner’s compensation for FY2025-FY2028, the resolution also rescinds the following clause from the 2022 Resolution Establishing the Compensation for County Officers for FY2023-FY2026: “That beginning after but not applying to the general election to be held on November 8, 2022, any appointment to fill a vacancy or newly elected county office in the Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Clerk, County Sheriff, County Treasurer, or Supervisor of Assessments salary shall be 6% less than the salary otherwise listed above.” Because the County Coroner was absent during the discussion of this item at the April Board Meeting it was postponed until the May meeting and no discussion on the matter occurred. Mr. Meyer addressed the board regarding his compensation. He cannot help but he is on the ECO program for retirement that costs the county more. Meyer argued that his job is 24 hour 7 days a week job and the only one who has this this. He says the taxes pay the retirement. Meyer asked for $2,600 raise per year for the next 4 years. Meyer argued with the board. He did not want to remove himself from the ECO retirement program so the cost would not be as much for the retirement. Weddell argued the retirement costs. If would be a big enough emergency other elected officials would be called to work. Warfel pointed out that he is still paid a salary above other counties in similar size. It was intensely discussed.
Weddell move to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $1,000 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. Spiker seconded the motion. The motion failed on roll call vote. With Bollman, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, and Warfel voting no. Weddell, Deckard, and Spiker voted yes. Pickens was absent.
Judson moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $500 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. No Second.
Deckard moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $250 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. Judson seconded the motion. The motion failed on roll call vote. With Weddell, Bollman, Geier, and Heltsley voting no. Judson, Deckard, and Spiker, and Warfel voted yes. Pickens was absent.
Bollman moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with no increase in the salary of the County Coroner. No second.
Weddell moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $750 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. Spiker seconded the motion. The motion failed on roll call vote. With Bollman, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, and Warfel voting no. Weddell, Deckard, and Spiker voted yes. Pickens was absent.
Judson moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $501 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. No second.
Geier moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $100 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. Bollman seconded the motion. The motion failed on roll call vote. With Weddell, Spiker, Warfel, Deckard, Judson, and Heltsley voting no. Geier and Bollman voted yes. Pickens was absent.
Heltsley moved to adopt the Resolution Establishing the Compensation of County Officers for FY2025-2028 with a $250 increase in the salary of the County Coroner. Geier seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call vote. With Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Spiker, and Warfel voting yes. Weddell voted no. Pickens was absent. The Resolution has been adopted.
County Of Jasper/City of Newton Website – Imaginethis! is continuing to work on the County of Jasper/City of Newton website. We are on pace to have a test site completed by the first part of June with a website going live by the end of June/first of July if all goes well.
Energy Transition Community Grant – The Deadline for Year 2 of the Energy Transition Community Grant was Friday, March 15, 2024. The next step will be review and approval by the State. A stakeholder/public meeting was held prior to the April 18, 2024, County Board meeting. Additional information will be passed along once received.
2024 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Courthouse Square Streetscape Improvements – At the March 21, 2024, meeting the board voted unanimously to proceed forward with a grant that would upgrade the street lighting and sidewalks on the county property of the courthouse square to look like the city property around the square. Applications for the grant are accepted starting later this year. The timing of the grant would coincide with any plans for the courthouse, and most likely take place after work on the building had been completed.
Jasper County Courthouse – At the February 15, 2024, meeting the board voted unanimously to proceed forward with the demolition and new construction of the Jasper County Courthouse on the current site. At the March 21, 2024, meeting, the board voted unanimously to select Architecture & Design Group, LTD. (ADG) and Stone & Waggoner Consulting Engineers as the Architectural & Engineering firm for the project. At the April 18, 2024, meeting the board voted unanimously to enter into an agreement for Architectural & Engineering services with ADG and Stone & Waggoner. Preliminary plans for the new Courthouse are currently underway and under New Business will be the consideration of moving forward with just a replacement Courthouse for the Judicial Offices (current courthouse offices) or an all-inclusive Courthouse that would combine the offices in the County Building as well. In addition, under New Business is the formation of a Special Courthouse Design Committee that will aid in this process.
New Business:
Preliminary Cost Considerations Jasper County Courthouse – Warfel provided all Board Members with the “Preliminary Cost Considerations” from ADG and Stone & Waggoner. The first big decision the board faces regarding the new Courthouse is the decision on whether the building should be an all-inclusive courthouse meaning bringing in the offices from the County Building or will it just be a replacement of the existing Courthouse that houses the current judicial offices. The cost consideration has broken down how ADG and Stone & Waggoner came up with the per square footage costs of the new structure including the CPI increases since we built the Sheriff’s Office and Jail. Warfel asked all board members to take time to think about these two options prior to tonight’s meeting.
New Courthouse Direct Replacement – Judicial Offices Only
$5,299,800 Calculated Costs $529,980 10% Contingency $5,829,780 Budget Consideration
New Courthouse Adding County Offices – All Inclusive
$8,037,300 Calculated Costs $803,730 10% Contingency $8,841,030 Budget Consideration
Geier moved that the County Board proceed forward with plans for the replacement of the Jasper County Courthouse with a Judicial Offices Only on the existing Courthouse site. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The County Board will proceed forward with plans for a Judicial Offices Only courthouse.
Approval Of Special Courthouse Design Committee – The Jasper County Board Rules and Procedures (Resolution #22-12-1) allows a special committee to be established on the recommendation of the Board Chair and will approve of the full Board. This special committee will cease to function when they have completed their duties and made their final reports. In the event that a special committee’s activities are extended into the next Board term (December 1, 2024), the special committee will need to be reauthorized at the first regular business meeting of the new Board session. The Special Committee shall follow all applicable Board and Committee Rules and Procedures. The Board Chair shall appoint the Chair and all members of any committees. The name, purpose, and number of members serving on a Special Committee shall be determined by the Chair and presented for Board approval.
Special Committee: Courthouse Design – Purpose: To aid the Architectural & Engineering Firms in the design of the New Jasper County Courthouse Board Members appointed expressed an interest in serving on the design committee. Other advisory members are County Elected Officials who play an integral role in the operation of the Jasper County Court System and have detailed knowledge of the best layout/function of the Courtroom, Offices, and Courthouse. Mr. Michael Geier will serve as chair and point of contact for this committee and point of contact for all outside entities regarding the Courthouse project.
| COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS | ADVISORY MEMBERS |
| Chair Michael Geier | Judge Chad Miller |
| A.C. Pickens | Circuit Clerk Jamie Blake |
| James Judson | Sheriff Brandon Francis |
| Eric Spiker | State’s Attorney James Treccia |
Bollman moved to approve the formation of a Special Courthouse Design Committee. Geier seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Special Courthouse Design Committee has been approved.
Approval Of School Resource Officer Agreement Between Jccu#1 And the County of Jasper – The Jasper County Community Unit #1 School Board and Superintendent have made hiring a School Resource Officer a priority. The School District reached out to the County to see if the Sheriff’s Department and the County of Jasper would be open to a partnership to provide a School Resource Officer for the School District. Sheriff Francis obtained the agreement currently in place in Richland County between the County and School District. Attorneys for the School District made the needed revisions to bring that agreement in line with current standards. In Richland County, the costs are split 80/20 with the School District paying 80% of the employee compensation and other costs such as vehicle, equipment, etc. This agreement with the school district would be similar. The County would be responsible for the other 20%. The school would like to get a resource officer in place by the start of the next school year (August 2024). This agreement is subject to approval by the Jasper County School Board on Monday, May 20th. Superintendent Joe Sornberger answered questions regarding the School Resource Officer. Sheriff Francis and State’s Attorney Treccia also spoke on the topic. Heltsley moved to approve the School Resource Officer between Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District and the County of Jasper pending approval by the Jasper County School Board on Monday, May 20th. Deckard seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Agreement between the Jasper County School District and the County of Jasper for a Resource Officer has been approved by the County.
Approval To Display the Amended Fy2024 Jasper County Budget – Annually, about the 6-month time period in our fiscal year, the County Offices and Departments are asked to analyze their current budgets and report any changes/amendments that need to be considered. These amendments are submitted to the County Treasurer’s office along with a brief description of the request explaining to the County Board the reason for the change. The amended budget is displayed (a minimum of 15 days) before the board adopts amendments to the budget. This vote will be to display the amendments before a final vote is taken at the June 20, 2024, meeting. Currently, both the County Sheriff and State’s Attorney are requesting amendments to the FY2024 Budget. The Sheriff’s changes are a result of the Union agreement with the County in January and an increase in data maintenance cost. The State’s Attorney changes come with the anticipation of hiring a State’s Attorney Investigator. Currently, Jasper County has no dedicated investigator/detective as part of any branch of law enforcement. Both the State’s Attorney and Sheriff spoke to these budget amendments. Geier moved to display the Amended FY2024 Jasper County Budget until the June County Board Meeting with a vote to take place at that meeting. Judson seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Amendment to the FY2024 Jasper County Budget will be displayed until the June meeting.
Board Comments: None
Chairman’s Comments: Upcoming Ucci Dates: Annual Conference: July 21-23, 2024 Eagle Ridge Resort Galena, Illinois; Fall Conference: October 25-26, 2024 Presidential Library & Museum Springfield, Illinois. JEDI – Jasper County Economic Development Inc. Meet, Greet, and Learn using Social Media to Enhance Businesses, Organizations, and Events – Wednesday, June 5 at 6 PM at the Newton KC Hall. Newton Firefighters Porkburger Cookout Friday, May 17th from 10:30 until Sold Out at the Newton KC Hall. Chamber Of Commerce Jeep Run, May 18th Sign up is from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Run leaves the square at 1 pm with stops at many of our county establishments. Jasper County Cancer Support Porkburger Cookout 11 am-1pm, May 18th Before Jeep Run – Am
Executive/Closed Session – The board did not have an executive session.
With no further business to come before the board, Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 pm. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned.
The next board meeting will be on June 20, 2024, at 6 PM.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
