*Editors Note: The Flowers on the Square received the yard of the month NOT the courthouse lawn.
Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
August 21, 2025
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, August 21, 2025. 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. The members present were Francis, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell. Schackmann and Judson were absent.
Public Comments: Dust Wright asked if the board was aware of property tax exemption with disabled veterans.
Adoption of the agenda. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.
Reports:
County Departments:
Ambulance Department – 911 transport- 64; Transfer- 27; Accidents- 7; Refusals- 19; Discharges- 4; Mutal Aid Standby- 44; Fire Standby – 1 The ambulance department received Mary Heath Grant to help pay for new video laryngoscope equipment to assist with intubation of unresponsive patients.
Paramedic John Curtright started with the Jasper County Ambulance Service in the mid-80s as a basic, then after becoming a paramedic in 2000 he continued to serve our community until his retirement in 2023. Words cannot begin to describe his dedication to helping others with over 40 years in EMS, and his service to our community!
Highway Department – A reminder that there will be no Electronic Recycling Event in August. The next one will be scheduled in March of 2026. The townships are finishing up on their oiling program and approximately 41 miles of county roads are left to be oiled. We will be putting out bids for a new tandem dump truck and a new solid waste truck.
Health Department – The Board of Health met on July 28th. Building Updates – The east end of the building, Phase 1, is mostly completed. Wohltman started on the west end of the building, Phase 2, on July 21, 2025. All staff have moved into the renovated, east end, of the building. The nurses are set up in the conference room. Three additional offices are set up, one office for Sandy, the second office as a treatment room and the third room as a WIC room. Clerical, IT and Admin are sharing the clerical office and clerical storage room. U of I extension has moved to their new location in the old Marshall brothers building. Call for 2025 Flu Clinics. Cancer Support Bingo will be October 2nd, doors open at 5 pm and Bingo starts at 6 pm. Theme Basket Raffle – 50/50 Drawing – Raffle Items – Concessions All proceeds will be donated to the Jasper County Cancer Support Fund. There will also be a quilt raffle. Environmental tested mosquitoes and tested positive for West Nile. Next Board of Health meeting will be Sept 22, 5:30 pm at the Health Department.
County Positions/Services:
Building Maintenance – Congrats to Jeremy Haycraft, the courthouse lawn was chosen “Yard of the Month.” The semi-trailer was removed from the county storage building lot. Jeremy cleaned out the gutter on the south side of the building.
Jasper County Courthouse – State Historical Preservation Office process is complete and pending a signature. Haycraft went around with them over the weekend to let them into the courthouse and around to the different rooms. Floor plans are waiting to be approved by chief judge.
Information Technology – Quarterly Report Maintenance & Support
Support Tickets (Last 90 Days): A total of 484 tickets were resolved, including alerts from our newly implemented SIEM tool, which was provided at no cost to the county. This reflects strong operational efficiency and proactive threat management.
Infrastructure
Windows 11 Migration: 110 out of 114 devices have been successfully upgraded to Windows 11. Remaining devices are scheduled for upgrade before Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025. This ensures continued support, improved performance, and enhanced security.
Continuity & Disaster Recovery
Upcoming Server Replacement: Plan to replace jasperserv02, which is now 8 years old. This upgrade will improve reliability, performance, and reduce the risk of hardware failure.
Network Segmentation Initiative: All sites will be segmented to improve redundancy, resilience, and security. This supports better disaster recovery and limits exposure in case of cyber incidents.
Cybersecurity
SIEM Tool Implementation: Provides real-time monitoring and alerting potential threats. Enhances visibility across systems and supports faster incident response.
Microsoft 365 Login Integration: Strengthens account security through multi-factor authentication. Simplifies access management and improves user experience with single sign-on (SSO).
Last 90 Days Projects: Windows 11 upgrade rollout (96% complete). SIEM tool deployment and integration. Microsoft 365 login implementation. Introduction of Technical Account Manager role for on-site support and strategic planning.
Next 90 Days Projects: Complete Windows 11 upgrades for remaining devices. Prepare to replace jasperserv02 server. Prepare for network segmentation across all sites. Introduce a free easy to use, Magoo managed solution to replace the current paid Splash Top application.
Recommendations: Replace jaspersrv02 and create redundancy of servers via Virtual & Physical Machines. Prioritize network segmentation to enhance overall system resilience and security posture.
Animal Control – Alisha Wise had WTWO TV station, and they did a piece for Clearing the Shelter Campaign. City of Newton came and fixed the road, mowed the lane and the sign has been installed. Wondering about fees for rabies citations.
Elected Officials:
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for July was $617,914.15. The expenses for July were $453,996.95. Total income less expenses for July a net income of $163,917.20. Fiscal year 2024/2025 income was $2,624,823.64. Less Expenses were $3,098,307.10 with a net loss of $473,483.46. $15 million dollars of $20 million to be collected has been collected for the taxing bodies. 75% of taxes have been paid. General fund has received $500,000. Spoke on the resolution. First Financial Bank is closing in September, and the county has 17 accounts with the bank, and the accounts will be moved to other local banks.
Other Elected Officials/Offices –
County Clerk – In Packet
Consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening: Approval of County Board July 17, 2025 Minutes; Reappointment of Dave Gross to a Five-Year Term as Trustee for North Fork Conservancy District [2030]; Appointment of Michelle Schafer to the Jasper County Housing Authority Board; Adoption of Jasper County Trustee for Taxing Districts Resolutions Delinquent Mobile Home Taxes Program; Approval of Revised Jasper County Animal Control Adoption Agreement; File County Reports Including Six-Month Reports and Allow Claims. There was no objection, the Consent Agenda was adopted.
Old Business:
Item A. – Jasper County Flag
The Jasper County Flag was adopted on March 20, 2025. Flag quotes were obtained from Judy McClure’s Sign and Graphics, Inc., and Borgic Designs. At the July County Board meeting, it was approved to purchase 8 flags from each quote. Some additional discussion is required on the quantity since new estimates have been obtained for a quantity of 8 instead of 25 flags.
Have a ceremony and give a flag to Barb Eaton for helping with design of the flag. There will be sell of flags once we have a supply of them.
New Business:
Item A. – Construction Loan Agreement
Local banks are working on terms for a construction loan that will aid with the Courthouse Project for the County to enter into if they choose. The County Treasurer received the terms and agreements and presented them to board members for review before the meeting. The primary funding for the Courthouse Project will be the Energy Transition Community Grant. The grant is a reimbursement grant and would require the County to pay for expenses upfront. A construction loan would pay for these expenses while awaiting reimbursement and cover the project while waiting for additional years of funding. The loan would not commence until the start of the project. Bigard handed out a payment schedule based on 20 years. Pickens said this is to secure the money to build. It is a reimbursement grant, and we are going to be awarded this year, and we have been awarded for 2 years already. Francis asked if this would be a fixed rate on the loan. Geier moved to Approve the Construction Loan agreement with Peoples State Bank. Francis seconded the motion. Francis, Geier, Heltsley, Spiker, and Warfel voted yes with a roll call vote. Shareholders Pickens and Weddell have abstained from the vote. Judson and Schackmann were absent. Motion carried on a roll call vote. The Construction Loan Agreement with Peoples State Bank is approved.
Item B. – Wade Precinct Polling Location
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk/Recorder in her capacity as the County’s Election Authority has asked the County Board to approve moving the polling place for all Wade Township Precincts (Wade 1, Wade 2, Wade 3, & Wade 4) from the New Beginnings Church located at 8622 IL Hwy 130, Newton 62448 to the Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District Office Building located at 1401 Clayton Ave, Newton, Illinois 62448. If approved, the change would go into effect beginning with the March 2026 General Primary Election, and the new location would serve as the polling location for Wade Township Precincts moving forward. Background: For many years, the Wade Township Precincts polling location was St. Thomas Church gymnasium. Due to safety concerns when elections fell on school days, the polling location was relocated to the Sunrise Community Center (present JCCU#1 School District Office Building). Following the initial purchase of the building and plans to turn the facility into an elementary school (PreK-1st Grade), the polling location was relocated to New Beginnings Church. The school district no longer has plans to use the district office for classrooms, and the County Clerk/Recorder is recommending that the polling location be moved back to the building. Weddell thanked Tom Matson’s church for allowing the polling location to be in the church. Heltsley moved to Approve Relocation of Wade Township Precincts Polling Location to the Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District Office Building located at 1401 Clayton Ave. Newton, IL 62448, effective with the March 17, 2026, General Primary Election and all subsequent elections. Spiker seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Wade Township Precincts Polling Locations have been moved to the Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District Office Building at 1401 Clayton Ave. Newton, IL.
Board Comments:
Geier spoke about John Curtright on how he served this community. He has seen a lot of change, and he was a straight shooter and was one of a kind. Gave condolences to Clay his son who works for the ambulance department. Weddell gave condolences to the John Curtight family. Thanked New Beginning Church for hosting the first responder’s appreciation and Tom Matson. Spiker thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers for wife’s father’s passing.
Chairman’s Comments:
Upcoming Meetings
FY2026 Jasper County Budget Meetings – Thursday, September 25, 2025
SRM (Snedeker Risk Management) Fall Conference – September 24 & 25 – Peoria, IL
Jasper County Fall Festival – September 13th
Property Tax Bills
Property Tax bills have gone out in Jasper County and 2nd installment is due September 15, 2025. While the County is responsible for the Assessment, Calculation, and Collection of Property Taxes, the County is just one of the many taxing entities that receive the funds from property taxes.
Condolences to the John Curtright family
Thank you to Tom Matson and New Beginnings Church for allowing use of the church for Wade’s polling location.
Executive/Closed Session
Executive/Closed Session – The Board had an executive/closed session to discuss: Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). There will be no action taken following the executive/closed session and the board will adjourn the meeting from the executive/closed session. Geier moved for the board to enter an executive session under the following exceptions: Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). Francis seconded the motion. Francis, Geier, Heltsley, Pickens, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell voted yes with a roll call vote. Schackmann and Judson were absent. The Board entered an Executive Session at 6:44 pm.
Geier moved to adjourn from executive/closed session of the meeting at 7:36 pm. Weddell seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
