Jasper County Board
August 13, 2020
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, August 13, 2020. Members present were Bollman, Leffler, Fehrenbacher, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Kerner, Pickens, Warfel, Michl, Swick and Weddell. 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
Social distancing encouraged along with masks and hand sanitizer available.
Swick made a motion to approve the agenda. Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a
voice vote.
Committee Reports:
The Road and Bridge Committee met on August 10th. Discussion was held on the 2020 Projects. Foreman’s mileage for August was 2,000 miles. Electronics Recycling Event Saturday, August 29, 2020 7:00 am-? get there early because when semi full, have to turn items away.
Solid Waste Committee did not meet.
The Sheriff’s Committee met on July 29 th . Dispatch continues to operate out of the firehouse. This has worked well and we will continue to dispatch from the firehouse unless 2 are working. Then one will dispatch from the firehouse and one from the Sheriff’s Office, so we can better isolate the workers.
Four Correctional Officers are scheduled to attend training at the Macon County Law
Enforcement Center in October. The Correctional Officers are scheduled to complete the Basic Corrections Officer Academy. This is a 5-week basic training course. Sheriff Francis spoke with Crawford County Sheriff Bill Rutan about housing inmates while the Correctional Officers attend training in October. Sheriff Rutan advised that he believed they would be able to house prisoners. Sheriff Francis and Sheriff Rutan would discuss this again closer to October. They have received portable Starcom radios from Barbeck Communications. The Sheriff’s Office is
still waiting on the mobile radios for the patrol cars and the consolettes for dispatch. They received payment from the Mary Heath Foundation for a grant that was submitted for new tasers.
The Sheriff’s Office has also received the new tasers. Sheriff Francis spoke with Kevin Short about the Dodge Durango that was ordered in May. Short stated that the building of the vehicle
is to be completed on August 18 th and it usually takes about 30 days to ship to their dealership.
Chris Hankins has ordered equipment for the new squad and will be installing it when it arrives.
Shannon Woodard with Connor and Connor as well as other architects were at the Sheriff’s
Office on July 17 th to look over the current structure and the property. Sheriff Francis has lost
several employees in the last several months that are working for other law enforcement agencies
for better pay. Sheriff Francis stated that the training cost and overtime expense due to lack of
staff and the training of new employees has been very costly. Newton City Police Department’s
current hourly rate for a 30 month Officer is $25.35 per hour while the current hourly rate for a
County Deputy is nearly $5.00 an hour less at $20.56 per hour. Sheriff Francis wants to make
the board aware of this before the next contract negotiation.
The Finance Committee met on August 10 th . Amber Wakefield spoke on emailing a marketing list
monthly or bimonthly of a community calendar, including city, chamber, and public events. It will allow
the email list to see what is happening in townships and local areas of the county. Currently, Facebook
and the marque is where events are being presented to the community. The fee is shared and the county
portion is $125 and asking for $200 to cover the emailing of a marketing list. Other communities around
the area see what we are doing. Treasurer’s Report: Clinton compared July 2019 to 2020 sales tax and
income tax. Sales tax 2019 was $419,887 and 2020 is $381,214. Income tax 2019 was $500,987 and 2020
is $409,051. Went over budget percentages of each departments expenses. Old Business, Committee is
still meeting with department heads on budget. New Business: $16,000 out of personal property has to be
moved to IMRF yearly. Fehrenbacher made a motion to move $16,000 out of personal property to IMRF.
Swick seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. Cannabis Use Tax is supposed to be
deposited into a separate account, not a general fund account like video gaming. A new separate account
needs to be opened. The county has received $1,200 so far for this year. The money shall be used to fund
crime prevention programs, training, and interdiction efforts, including detection, enforcement, and
prevention efforts, relating to the illegal cannabis market and driving under the influence of cannabis. 30
ILCS 105/6z-107. Fehrenbacher made motion to approve to open an account and transfer existing funds.
Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. There was discussion on economic
development marketing. Committee feels like there needs to be accountability. A question was brought up
about will the email addresses be sold to others. Swick made a motion to send the request to the full
board. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The committee examined the
claims. Election Day November 3 rd will be a holiday for the county. Blake said the courthouse will be
closed orders came down from the Supreme Court. Chad Miller said state law, so it is to be recognized.
Sheriff department and ambulance will get holiday pay. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is
required on a yearly basis for all employees. Records would be maintained locally and it still needs to be
completed for 2020. Note change of the next meeting due to Labor Day, it will be Tuesday,
September 8 th at 6:00pm.
The Building Committee met on August 13 th . Bigard spoke about security in the board room,
possibly locking the door when the room is not in use. All doors are keyed differently and no
master key. Security costs could come out of the tort fund. Tom has a quote from Barlow Lock
and Security. The door access would be $950 per door. Each door can have multiple codes
programmed into the keypad. Cameras for the building was part of the security quote. The
system would have IP address so the cameras can be viewed by anyone with the address. Tom
will run any and all wires to camera locations. The cameras would run on a 30 day loop and only
records if motion is detected. It could be also saved and downloaded. Take to full board in
September. Tom’s Report: Wayne’s Tree Service quoted $350 an hour for removal of dead tree
and an ash tree and a limb on another tree. Cabinets are ordered for clerk’s office. Plexiglass was
installed on all teller windows in treasurer’s office. Bruce Ochs looked at concrete for courthouse
benches. Tom wants committee to look at placement of benches and the ground around the
benches. The county highway department will bring a backhoe to help remove the old benches.
Sump pump switch in the courthouse basement had to be replaced. The bathrooms in the county building was backing up. Plunged the pipes and replaced the toilets to use less water and changed toilet paper. AJ welding has not fixed the rusted out railings at the courthouse, Pickens will follow up with them. Windows at the courthouse need something done with them. Possibly fill in part of windows with something decorative and part stationary and part with windows that open. Add to the 5-year plan. Michl noticed electrical lights on court house lawn is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. Maybe run conduit and put outlets. Pickens will call Henry about sealing more of the courthouse. Emergency door are not insulated maybe have Schackmann drill hole and fill with foam. Hickox may ask someone for a quote to add emergency door to board room. Awing on county building not completed. Record protection was discussed and possibly look into a dry fire system. Tom will look into to see if get quote. 5-year plan get committee together and check off items completed and add new items. Worked on budget discussed what spent currently and made adjustments. Note: Next meeting September 1 st at 8:30 am, due to Tom being gone.
GIS committee did not meet.
The Ambulance Committee met on July 31 st . Air Medical Assistance: Danny Kerner made a motion to continue with the Air services as it stands, seconded by Doug Weddell. All were in favor. The AC unit on the west end of the building had to have the outside unit cleaned and the air filters changed. The ambulance service received the Mary Heath Grant for $2,200.00 for the purchase of four used Star-Com radios. The UV light had been delivered, the cost of the light was $3,995.00, IPMG will be giving a grant for $1,997.50 for the UV light. Unit 2357 is in the shop this week to have the Turbo replaced. Daniel advised the committee of the changes he has made to the 2021 ambulance budget. Daniel informed the committee of the need to increase the starting rate to fall in line with the full time employees. This will help draw additional part time help to help offset overtime shifts. Mike Hall made a motion to increase the starting rate of a part time paramedic from $15.00 an hour to $17.00 an hour, and part time EMT- Basics from $11.00 an hour to $13.00 an hour pending the approval of the 2021 budget, seconded by Doug Weddell. All were in favor. Daniel received a call from Abbott EMS about the possibility of private
EMS for Jasper County.
The Insurance Committee did not meet.
EMA did not meet.
The Animal Control did not meet.
JEDI met on August 4 th . JEDI toured the new 6,000 square feet location of Secondhand Dan’s located on the square at 100 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448. Danny Matson spoke about his business and how he already sees an increase in customers due to his new location. Opened at their new location this past June. Secondhand Dan’s offers used AND new furniture. They are able to order new furniture and mattresses which many people are not aware of. The product that sells the fastest is currently freezers due to the wait time for a new freezer. Their inventory comes from auctions, real-estate sales, and individuals. Their Facebook page is increasing in traffic and all inventory is updated on a regular bases:
https://www.facebook.com/secondhand.dans/ Their hours are Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm,
Saturday 10am-3pm, Closed Monday & Sunday. Monthly Updates: Amber Volk, Executive
Director Vistra Energy donated pandemic relief funds to JEDI for grants to Jasper County,
Illinois businesses. “Limited $1,500 grants will be available. Must be a business located in Jasper County, Illinois. Must currently be in business. Only one entry per business. Any grant awarded must be used towards the business. Deadline for application entries is August 31 st, 2020 by 5pm.
Completed applications can be mailed to: Box 165, Newton, IL. 62448, emailed to:
jaspercountyjedi@gmail.com, dropped off at the City Hall’s drop box located at 108 N. Van
Buren St. #A, Newton, IL. 62448, or the drive up at the Jasper County Government building
located 204 W. Washington St. Newton, IL. 62448” Hard copies of the grant can be picked up at City Hall in Newton, Dieterich Bank drive-up, Peoples State Bank drive-up, Jasper County Government Building drive-up. Next Marketing meeting will be August 18 th at 10am at the Chamber building. Adrian Guzman has created a simple short virtual reality video to show how it can be used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6DYj6GnDfU Currently working on receiving a sample of a cardboard vr goggle that would be sent to potential businesses. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton The Marketing Committee has hired Amber Wakefield as our Marketing Director. Community Banks, Chamber, & JEDI worked hard to help our businesses during this pandemic. Thank you. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman Currently working on the budget. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1. School starts Tuesday the 11 th with staff and Wednesday the 12 th with students. Will have 90% of students attending in person. The District is offering remote learning. We are following mandates from the State. Working on purchasing 20 hotspots for students. Will be playing sports. Looking for 3 custodians and 1 part time secretary. Jason Warfel: Due to the early dismissal of school, should we consider changing the time for the monthly JEDI meetings? All were in aggreance. Motion to change the monthly JEDI meetings from the first Tuesday of the month at 1:15 pm to the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 am made by Jason Warfel, second by Doug Weddell, and motion
passed.
Personnel Committee did not meet.
Health Department report is in the board packet.
Law Enforcement Committee did not meet. Shannon Woodard gave update. Design work is
progressing. Soil boring is completed. Design has been completed and has been reviewed by
engineers. They are currently a month behind schedule. Biding around December through
January. Building materials and currently a lot of jobs available, so right now is not the best time to bid hopefully by end of year it will be a better time to bid project out. Bids on abatement will be later. Bored through sewer line may be our first contingency.
Kerner moved to approve the County Clerk’s report. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion
carried on a voice vote.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Weddell spoke about how Amber Wakefield has been promoting community through Facebook and
taking care of the marque. She would be in charge and she would spread the information out. All information would go to her. Currently it is $125 and there are 5 entities it would be $200 per entity for Economic Development Marketing. There is no long-term contract. Discussion was held among board members. If this is a considered a web presence, then does this create enough to have to have a website, it would open the open meetings act. No motion
The county gets part of the state’s sales tax from residents of the county who purchase cannabis from dispensaries. Fehrenbacher moved to approve Cannabis Tax Fund Account. Warfel seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Election Day Nov. 3 County Offices Closed, it is a one year only law from the state.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training to be completed by Dec. 31, it will have to completed online and certificate turned into county clerk’s office to place in employees folders.
Weddell moved to approve the minutes. Swick seconded the motion. The motion carried on a
voice vote.
County Board Comments:
Warfel read a thank you note to board from Ron Heltsley and family for lantern in remembrance of his father.
Hickox commented on maintenance/janitor, Tom Matson is doing a really good job. He is doing an excellent job keeping all the grounds and buildings maintained.
Chairman’s Comments:
Vistra Grant please take to small businesses out in the community effected from the Covid, get back to Amy Tarr, County Clerk’s office by the end of August.
Warfel made a motion to go into closed session at 7:59 pm. Kerner seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Leffler, Fehrenbacher, Hall, Heltsley, Kerner, Michl, Warfel, Hickox, Swick, Pickens and Weddell voting yes.
8:31 pm came out of closed session.
Kerner moved to allow the claims. Hickox seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
The next board meeting is September 10 th , 2020 at 7:00 pm.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 8:32 pm. Hall seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
