Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
May 13 th , 2021
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 13 th , 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, Hall, Heltsley,
Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell.
Public comments: Doug Hawkins from Ste. Marie Precinct #2 spoke how they are on the other side of the
river and have had over 70 years a voting place on the other side of the river. The polling place is in case
the river gets out. Took around petitions and presented to Warfel. Bernard Boyd Grandville Township
welcomed the 5 minutes would like to be able to create a dialog. He would like to be able to ask
questions and board to answer questions, during the public comments.
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.
Geier made a motion to approve the agenda. Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Committee Reports: Standing Committees
Ambulance Department: The Jasper County Ambulance Committee met on Wednesday May, 5 th , 2021.
Equipment update: Unit 2358 is having brake work done, unit 2357 will be having regular service done
later this month. Due to the Covid-19 clinics have ended at the High School and the Health Department
will no longer need the use of old 2356 we will now move forward with the bidding process. The ABC360
conference was done via Webinar on Wednesday April, 28th and Thursday April, 29th. The service was
in need of a Sonic Firewall to be HIPAA complaint, and it was discovered by joining the County’s WIFI
we would be behind a Sonic Firewall. Closed Session: Kerner made a motion to enter closed session for
personnel, seconded by Hall – all in favor. Entered closed session at 8:41. At 10:19 the committee came
out of closed session at 10:19, no actions was taken. The next meeting will be June, 2nd 2021 at 8:30
am.
Buildings: The Building Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, May 10 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm. Tom’s
Report: Tom’s Report: Tom’s Report: Contents of the jail were discussed. A cockroach infestation that
occurred in the process of moving things from the jail to the county building is under control. Tom plans
to purchase a dolly from Steve Jones. Tom has a vacation planned for June 7-11. The committee agreed
that mowing prior to the week of June 7th will suffice. Tom received a quote of $3,000 from Wayne’s
Tree Service to remove and plant 3 hard maple trees on the courthouse lawn. Hickox made a motion to
hire Wayne’s Tree Service to remove and plant the three trees. Leffler seconded the motion, and it
carried on a voice vote. An issue with the water pit in the courthouse elevator was discovered. Tom and
the committee made plans to resolve this issue. Old Business: Evapco agreed to help with supply cost
for the pavilion project. Location possibilities were discussed. The contractor who was hired to build the
courtroom wall failed to meet the deadline that was set. Pickens plans to contact other contractors to get
quotes. Quotes for concrete pads for courthouse lawn picnic tables were reviewed by the committee.
Kerner made a motion to pay $2,971.07 to cover the cost of one picnic table pad and replace the
courthouse north entrance door apron at the bottom of the steps. Leffler seconded the motion, and it
carried on a voice vote. The committee agreed to table the second picnic table pad until the pavilion
project plans are finalized. Plans are still in the works for record protection. New Business: The
County’s CINTAS contract for rugs will expire at the end of June and will not be renewed. Flower pots to
decorate the exterior of the county building were purchased and planted. The committee approved a
request from Newton Elite Fitness to use the courthouse lawn on Saturday, June 22, 2021. Next meeting
June 7 th at 7:00 pm.
Finance: The Jasper County Finance Committee met on Monday, May 10 th , 2021. Treasurer’s Report:
Bigard reported the general fund income of $270,856.33 and the expenses of $484,250.06. Fiscal year
to date totals are State/General Fund Income $994,723.57, Personal property income is $117,751.06,
total income $1,112,474.63. Expenses to date $1,472,611.41 with a net loss of $360,136.78. Bigard went
over the Jail construction expenses occurred of $278,185.74. He has not transferred any money from
working cash to the general fund in April. The money is already sitting there, but have not had an official
approval of funds. Bigard went over the available funds for the jail project. Bigard presented a letter to
sign for People’s State Bank for a line of credit in the amount of one million dollars. Heltsley made a
motion to approve the $1,000,000 line of credit with People State Bank. Swick seconded the motion.
Motion passed on a roll call vote. Go to full board. New Business: 2022 County Reapportionment Plan-
Every 10 years a reapportionment plan has to be completed by July but needs to be completed by June
for elections. The county code identifies the federal decennial census as the measure to determine the
number of inhabitants. Census data is delayed and will not be available till fall. Warfel and Tarr have
looked at voter data. All board seats are up in the fall. There are 2 proposals Option 1: 9 Member Board
Elected by Districts, Minor changes to districts, Combine Ste. Marie #1 & #2 Precincts, No changes to
Wade Precincts; Option 2: 9 Member Board Elected by Districts, Minor changes to districts, Changes to
Wade Precincts, Combine Ste. Marie #1 & #2 Precincts. County boards in the state are looking at
downsizing the board size. The board can never be larger than 12 board members. Warfel went over
some statistics on board sizes throughout the state and in the surrounding counties. Proposing cutting 1
board member for each district. Currently, District #1 has 28.9% of total voters, District #2 has 40.0% of
total voters and has greater than 10% difference than the other two districts, District #3 has 31.2% of
total voters. It is proposed to move Grove to District #1. A precinct having over 800 voters call for a
separation, if a precinct falls below 50 it calls for a consolidation. Both proposals call for consolidation of
Sainte Marie 1 & 2. Only have 84 registered voters. Currently with 12 board members the current
average yearly per diem including mileage per board member is $4,380. Option 1: Keep board
compensation the same under a per diem system with mileage. Option 2: With reduction in board size
this proposal calls for a fixed $4,500 per member salary with no mileage. County Board Chairman would
remain a $5,000 salary with a mileage. Mileage would be granted for any meetings outside of the County
boundaries. Move away from mileage-based system. Move away from per diem and go to flat fee.
Committees may not always have to meet on a monthly basis. Don’t want to compensation to where
board members would be there for an income and not for the right reasons. Miller stated decisions will be
need to be made if things are not addressed now, it will cause a bigger mess in 10 years, give it good
thought. The trend is to smaller boards, other areas going to smaller boards. Don’t want to see a huge
cut in 10 years. There was only one county board seat that had a competitive election in the last election,
there has been times to where parties have to appoint board members also. Miller said it really should be
7 board members based on population. Hall liked the idea of reducing to 9. With early voting and mail in
ballots, voters have options. Bollman said option 2 for redistricting would make easier to run and know
where the board members lines are located. Option 2 on redistricting and Option 2 of board
compensation. Miller said mileage to a meeting is not a traditional way, it is not traditional to pay to come
to work, cannot take off on taxes. The mileage does not take into where members are coming from for
meetings and carpooling. Swick made a motion for Option 2 Reapportionment plan which board size is
reduced to 9, board member salary fixed at $4,500, change county board districts, Changes to Wade
Precincts, and combine Ste. Marie 1 & 2. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a roll call
vote.Election judge compensation has been figured the same way for long time. After the first election,
after Tarr took office, she increased the election judge pay by $20, going from $130 to $150. The election
judge who picks up the supplies gets paid $5. After the election is over the election judges who bring
back supplies each get $2.50 and the election judge who drove receives mileage. Tarr commented this
has been like this for a long time and realizes this doesn’t make a lot of sense, but will try to figure out a
flat fee for every precinct for pick up and return of election supplies. TIF Joint Review meeting was last
Wednesday city is proposing to amend TIF district to encompass the acreage purchased by the City of
Newton. The land is not annexed into the city. It will not be tax exempted if it is still farmed. Alliance
Tractor is not in city limits also. The land has some residential so there is a protection so there will not be
a factory right next to them. County wants city to annex, city has ordnances that county does not have.
Old Business: IMRF accelerated payment, Health Department thinks there is an exemption, if receive the
county rates would increase and would be paid over time. Rate increase would be on every employee. If
don’t pay will be charged a 7.5% interest on the balance until pay. This is a fine and cannot be paid by
the grant. The county does have to pay. County is paying for something they had no control over,
because board of health has control over health department finances. Next meeting Monday, June 7 th ,
2021 at 8:30 am at the County Building.
Highway Department: The Jasper County Road & Bridge Committee met on Monday, May 10, 2021,
7:00 a.m. at the Highway Office. Ben informed the Committee about the 2021 Pavement Preservation
Day Labor Project using Federal Funds. Foreman’s mileage for April 2021 was 1,559 miles. The next
meeting will be Monday, June 7 th , 2021 at 7:00 am.
Operations: The Operations Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 6:00 pm.
Geier made a motion to go into closed session to discuss PBPA contract negotiations. Heltsey seconded
the motion and it carried on a roll call vote. The Operations Committee of Jasper County met on
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Old Business: The committee reviewed the county’s cost share
with HopeTrust and how it differed from other counties. Discussion was held but nothing was decided.
Plans to reschedule the safety meeting was discussed. Bollman made a motion to go into closed session
to discuss PBPA contract negotiations. Geier seconded the motion, and the motion carried on a roll call
vote. Next meeting is scheduled for May 26 th , 2021 at 6:00 pm.
Public Safety: The Public Safety Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, April 19 th , 2021 at 6:00
pm. Reports: Sheriff Francis sent the following message to update the committee. Jail Update: The
Sheriff Dept. has begun moving offices to the old environmental building west of the Health Dept. Internet
has been installed and most of the office equipment has been moved. Files will be stored in the
basement of the county office building. Appliances and other items will be stored in Danny Kerner's shed.
A pad has been poured for the old generator on the Northside of the Firehouse, plans are being made
with Wayne's Tree Service to move the generator with their crane. Tyler Goode will be taking down the
radio tower at the Sheriff's office starting tomorrow (weather permitting). The County Highway Dept. will
be hauling the tower to Matt Burgner's residence. Matt has agreed to lease the property to Jasper
County 911. GTSI has looked over the site and advised it would be a good site to improve radio service
in the south part of the county. The inmates were transported to the Richland Count Sheriff's Office to
Richland County housing our inmates until the new building is complete. The car that EMA purchased
through a Covid Grant has been obtained and is in service. EMA is continuing to help with the Health
Department vaccination clinics. A Code Red for a missing person was sent out on Sunday, April 18th,
2021. The person was located, and the Code Red worked successfully. The Hazard Mitigation Plan has
been completed but has not yet been approved. Without this plan, the county would not be able to
receive federal money after a disaster. To prepare for the demolition of the jail, 911 has begun to move
things to the firehouse. 2 residents struggled to get through to 911 on April 18th, 2021. Mike Swick will
investigate the issue. The dog cage project has yet to be completed. If the company hasn’t built the cage
by May, a new company will be contacted. The animal control report was reviewed. The committee
agreed that more communication between Austin and the dispatchers would be beneficial, but nothing
permanent was decided on. Old Business: Storage for the EMA trailer is still undetermined. Next
meeting will be May17 th , 2021 at 6:00 pm.
Special Committee
Law Enforcement Center Planning Committee: Woodard gave an update and will continue monthly.
Asbestos has been removed. There is a grace period, the EPA could come and inspect. Freon and
mercury has been removed. Demo will start at the end of the month and equipment will start showing up
in the middle of next week. If interested in touring the cite contact Woodard for the safety of individuals
and the size of the work area. If any problems contact Connor & Connor and they will document and
contact the contractor to correct.
Informative
Board of Health- In Packet – Went over the number of Covid tests and vaccines given. Vaccines will
now be given at the Health Department. Annex building will need the air conditioning unit replaced.
Chamber of Commerce- Talked about 618 Tour and Chamber Jeep Run and talked about the future of
the Chamber.
Economic Development (JEDI) – Tuesday, May 4 th , 2021 Discussed the direction of JEDI and what
members would like to see. There was discussion on consolidating entities to have all under one
“umbrella”. Those entities will go and talk with their boards and also send Jason Warfel their bylaws to be
reviewed by State’s Attorney Chad Miller.
TIF Joint Review Board – Meeting Wednesday, May 5 at City Hall. What is TIF?
A TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District is an area within a city that, after study by the city and
consultants, is found to be "blighted" and without hope of attracting private investment without some
governmental intervention. A city is not free to slap the TIF label on any property it wants, and what
constitutes "blight" is specifically defined in the TIF statute. If an area does not meet the definition of
blight under the statute, the city will not be able to create a TIF there. A TIF district essentially reallocates
funds from property taxes to encourage investment within the district. The way TIFs shift funds around to
encourage development is by freezing the allocations to various taxing bodies at their levels as of the
start of the TIF. For the life of the TIF, the amount received by these taxing bodies from property taxes
collected within the TIF will remain constant unless the city decides to redirect TIF funds back to one or
more taxing bodies because of an increased need for that body's services. Any increased tax revenues
collected as a result of an increase in property values then go into the TIF fund and can be used by the
city for a wide range of purposes within the TIF to promote redevelopment.
Swick made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of County
Board April 15, 2021 Minutes, Approval of April and May Standing Committee Minutes, Appointment of
Dr. Jacy Ghast (At-Large) to a 3 Year Term (July 2021) Board of Health, Appointment of Tom Clark (At-
Large) to a 3 Year Term (July 2021) Board of Health, File County Reports, Allow Claims; Geier seconded
the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old business: No Old Business
New Business:
Update of Jasper County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution. This Hazard Mitigation
Plan was developed with the fundamental goal of informing State and local leaders of the risk and
impacts natural hazard events could have on Jasper County, Illinois and further examine how to best
lessen the adverse impacts that these hazard events can have on the local community. Special thanks
to South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission, Luke Eastin, James Patrick,
City of Newton, Village of Ste. Marie, Illinois Emergency Management Association, all those involved in
these meetings, Ken Larimore, Angela Fehrenbacher, Mike Hall, and Ron Heltsley just to name a few.
County would lose funds if the county does not have a plan in place.
Weddell made a motion to adopt the update of Jasper County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Resolution. Fehrenbacher seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Jasper County Law Enforcement Construction Line of Credit was discussed at the Finance Committee.
Proposed $1,000,000 loan secured with existing County Certificate of Deposits as collateral through
Peoples State Bank. Terms of the loan would be the following: term of 1 year renewed annually, the
interest rate on this loan will be fixed at the annual percentage yield of the pledged certificate of deposit +
1.75%. Repayment of the loan would be from Personal Property Replacement Tax funds received from
the State.
Pickens made a motion for approval of the Jasper County Law Enforcement Construction Line of Credit.
Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Ste. Marie Precincts Consolidation Resolution, North Muddy and Fox was the last consolidated precincts,
only one township has 2 precincts. Wade has 5 because of 800 registered voters are allowed in
precincts. 84 registered voters in Ste. Marie #2 and Hunt City would be the next smallest size. Is the river
a reason for a second precinct? Every township has to have a voting precinct. It would add to Ste. Marie
#1. Tarr spoke about the reasons to consolidate, having to replace election equipment, and presented
the river flood stages and dates compared to election dates. State has availability to early voting and
ballot by mail. If precinct drops below 50 voters a consolidation does not need board approval. There
was discussion on this topic. Heltsley made a motion to adopt Ste. Marie Precincts Consolidation
Resolution. Geier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with Bollman, Geier, Hall, Heltsley and
Warfel voting yes. Fehrenbacher, Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, and Weddell voting no. Motion
failed.
Every 10 years the county board is required to reapportion the county, so that each member of the board
represents the same number of people. In order to situate each precinct within a single district, the
county board shall change the boundaries of election precincts after each decennial census as soon as
is practicable. There are five steps: determine the size of the county board to be elected, determine if
board members are elected at-large or by districts, make boundary adjustments to election precincts,
must be completed by July 15, 2021 and changes to election precincts must be completed by June 10,
2021, determine method of compensation for board members. 2022 County Reapportionment Resolution
Calls for reduction of one board member per district. Warfel explained the reasoning for the reduction in
board size. Step two, reevaluate the county board districts population. Currently, District #1 has 1,995
voters (28.9%), District #2 has 2,764 voters (40.0%), District #3 has 2,155 voters (31.2%). Wards in city
are aligned with voters. City Wards overlapped 3 precincts. Proposed District #1: Wade #1 (Ward 1 in
City of Newton) & outside City of Newton, Crooked Creek, Willow Hill, Grandville, Hunt City, Ste. Marie
#2 and add Grove. District #2: Wade #2 (Ward 2) & outside City of Newton, Wade #4 (old Wade #3 and
part of Wade #4) (Ward 2) & outside City of Newton, North Muddy, and South Muddy. District #3: Wade
#5 (Ward 1) & outside City of Newton, Wade #3 (Ward 3 in city of Newton) & outside city of Newton, Ste.
Marie #1, Fox, and Smallwood.
Final component, Board compensation is currently based on per diem. The current average yearly per
diem including mileage per board members is $4,380. Move away from mileage to a flat salary. $4,500
flat fee per member salary with not mileage payable in the amount of $375 monthly. Board members
would be entitled to mileage outside of Jasper County. Chairman salary would remain $5,500 with no
mileage payable. Hickox does not think the board size should be reduced.
Swick made a motion to adopt the 2022 County Reapportionment Resolution. Heltsley seconded the
motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and
Weddell voting yes. Fehrenbacher, Hickox, Kerner, and Leffler voting no.
Mr. Leffler brought Election Judge Compensation to Warfel’s attention. Warfel asked the Clerk to
address this with the Finance Committee on Monday and Warfel asked that it be discussed before the
full board, so all board members are aware of election judge compensation in Jasper County. Tarr stated
that she knew there were issues with how election judges get paid to pick up and bring back supplies. It
has been this way as far back as 2004 and further. Currently, the election judge gets paid $5 for pick up
of election supplies and two people bring back election supplies and get paid $2.50 and who drove gets
paid mileage. The election judges received a $20 increase in pay from $130 to $150 in 2020. Tarr has
addressed the pay and Election Judges will have a base pay $150, training will be $20, Wade 1-5 $6 for
pick up and return, Fox $12, Crooked Creek, Hunt City, North Muddy, Sainte Marie, Smallwood, and
Willow Hill $18, Grandville, Grove and South Muddy $24.
Board Comments:
Swick received a letter from the President and commented he would not be voting democratic again.
Chairman’s Comments:
A thank you letter from the family of David Yaw thanking the county for the lantern in his passing.
Warfel received a letter from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that the Jasper County
Probation Department’s FY 2021 Annual Probation Plan was approved. Dora Griffith puts a lot of work
into filing this annually and Warfel presented the letter for the board members to review. If anyone has
questions, please contact Dora at the Jasper County Probation Department.
No closed session.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 8:28 pm. Kerner seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, June 10 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
