Ben Bland, County Engineer, was presented a plaque for his service to the county. 292 board meetings between the 2 counties. Ben said it was an honor working for the county.
Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
March 10th, 2022
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, March 10th, 2022. 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 Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell. Kerner and Bollman were absent. James Treccia, the new States Attorney, was present.
Corey McDonald with Kemper Technology Consulting spoke to the Finance Committee in February to discuss a possible Cyber Security Contract. County looking for someone to provide technology within all departments. Cyber Security for insurance has created a list of items that need to be improved. A yearlong agreement of managed services for a year has been created. It is a set amount but it covers mostly 95% of the technology costs. Cyber Security Contract was discussed as Item A of New Business.
Public comments: Tony Trimble with the Jasper County Farm Bureau spoke in favor of the Resolution showing the support of agriculture.
Geier made a motion to approve the agenda. Hall seconded the motion. Leffler asked to move Item E Approval of Engineering Services with Connor & Connor for Section 21-10131-00-FP (Highway Dept.) out of consent agenda. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Committee Reports: Standing Committees
Ambulance Department: The Jasper County Ambulance Committee was held on March 2nd, 2022. Old Business: Public meetings on Tax referendum are set for March 22nd and April 19th and 7pm. Both these meetings will be held at Newton High School. The school has said either the auditorium or cafeteria will be used. A room will be determined at a later time. J. Gracey and Greg Sidwell will be meeting with the Farm Bureau Board on March 21st. This meeting is set to give the Farm Bureau the information that they need regarding the tax referendum. Informational Items: Equipment Updates: 2357 had routine maintenance performed.
Billing Refusals: Since Oct 15th, 2021 when the decision was made to bill for non-transports. As of January 31st, 2022 the ambulance service has billed 86 non-transport calls for a total of $25,800.00. The Ambulance has been paid for 26 of those calls in full and has 3 calls with payments being made. For a total of $8,700.00. This is a payment rate of 33%. Staffing Concerns: The ambulance has had another full time Paramedic quit. This will put us at 4 full time Paramedics as of March 16th down from our current 5. That will put us at 4 Paramedics and 3 EMT-basics on the full time roster. The need to raise the hourly pay rate was discussed in length. J. Gracey presented spreadsheets showing what our current pay is with paying overtime due to the shortages and showing what the payroll would be with the proposed pay raise. After discussion on payroll a motion was made by D. Weddell and Second by D. Kerner to present a new pay scale to the county finance committee. The new starting pay rate would be for Full time staff $23.00/hr. for Paramedics and $18.00/hr. for EMT-basics. For part time employees the pay rates would be $20.00/hr. for Paramedics and $16.00 for EMT-basics. All Current employees would go up accordingly as well. All in favor -Motion passed. Closed Session: Closed session started at 10:00 am motion by M. Hall and Second by D. Weddell. Closed session ended at 10:15 am motion by D. Kerner and Second by M. Hall. Next scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 6h, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.
Buildings: The Building Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, March 8th, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Tom’s Report: Jason Bierman finished the work in the assessor’s office. The trees that are being planted in the courthouse lawn by Wayne’s Tree Service are being staked out. Tom rewired lights in the county building. The committee discussed the possibility of adding motion sensor light switches in the bathrooms. Old Business: Jason Bierman is assessing trim for the courthouse lobby. The treasurer is in the process of painting the treasurer’s office. Tom is continuing to work on the electrical projects. New Business: The committee reviewed a quote for a tractor for Tom’s use. The committee discussed this. The committee also reviewed quotes for automatic openers on the doors and handicap parking. Next meeting April 11th at 7:00 pm.
Finance: The Jasper County Finance Committee met on Monday, March 7th, 2022. Public Comments: Greg Sidwell gave statistics on number of licenses for ambulance employees for the state of Illinois. The numbers are decreasing and wage increase needs to be considered. Treasurer’s Report: Bigard gave a handout of the Treasurer’s Report, Report of County Funds and the Jail construction expenses. The income for February was $244,901.64. Total expense excluding the jail payment was $238,249.07. Bigard pointed out we are in the positive for the fiscal year when normally the county is not, this is a positive thing. Old Business: None New Business: Jeremy Gracey gave a proposed pay raise for the ambulance department. The raise puts the department in the middle for the surrounding areas. There was discussion about possible ways to increase revenue. Swick made a motion for pay raises for the ambulance department. Fehrenbacher seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. Board of Review meets annually the last two years 2020 and 2021, they did not formally meet. They have not formally met in 2022. The board of review is Feb 15-March 15. Tax payers want to meet with the board of review to discuss their concerns. We have a new member to the board of review and he was just formally contacted last Friday by Woods. The board is to provide a service. Bigard and Tarr signs the check and does not want to sign unless the board approves. The board of review needs to meet during the tax payment season. Statute says they must meet but doesn’t give when they should meet. Bollman made a motion to direct the board of review to hold open meetings. Swick seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. ARPA Funding requests: Smithenry spoke on EMA building and handicap parking. Warfel gave an overview of requests referring to the handouts. EMA Building will be discussed in close session. Bigard handed out information for Scenario 1 and 2 for the Jail Project. If the board would approve Scenario #2 the county would not have to borrow money. ARPA funds would be used for the Law Enforcement HVAC System for $376,877.00 and 911 dispatch Systems Purchase for $436,361.00. Bigard would rather not borrow money for the jail project. The 911 console does not include the furniture which could total $132,000. Handouts were given on the furniture. Bollman made a motion to allocate $813,239 of ARPA Funds for the HVAC System and 911 dispatch system for the law enforcement center. Swick seconded the motion. Motion passed on a voice vote. Fehrenbacher made a motion to go into closed session at 9:32 am. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Next meeting Monday, April 11th, 2022 at 8:30 am at the County Building.
Highway Department: The Jasper County Road & Bridge Committee met on Monday, March 7, 2022. New Business: The Committee discussed the approval of a Resolution utilizing STR and RBI Funds – Section 20-00137-00-FP (soil cement). Danny Kerner made a motion to approve the Resolution utilizing STR and RBI Funds and bring it to Full Board for approval. A.C. Pickens seconded this motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Committee discussed the approval of the Resolution Appointing County Engineer and Employment Contract of the County Engineer. A.C. Pickens made a motion to approve the Resolution Appointing County Engineer and Employment Contract and bring it to the Full Board for approval. Ron Swick seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Committee discussed the approval of a Preliminary / Construction Engineering Services Agreement with Connor & Connor for Section 21-10131-00-FP, Wade Road District. Ron Swick made a motion to approve the Engineering Agreement and bring it to Full Board for approval. Danny Kerner seconded this motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. Foreman’s mileage for February 2022 was 1,425 miles. Next meeting is April 11.
Operations: The Operations Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Old Business: The committee reviewed information and quotes about Kemper Technology Consulting and agreed that it was the best option for the county. Bollman made a motion to send a recommendation of Kemper Technology Consulting to the finance committee. Geier seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. Fehrenbacher informed the committee of Employee Recognition project updates. New Business: The committee discussed ICRMT Risk Management information. The committee discussed possible dates of when ICRMT could inspect the new jail building, but no date has been set. Next meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Public Safety: The Public Safety Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Monthly Reports: Sheriff Francis reported that the jail building is approximately 70% complete. Dry walling for the jail is set to begin. Francis has quotes for 911 furnishing consoles and plans to submit the quotes to finance. Francis is still waiting for the Durango Pursuit from Kansas Highway Patrol. EMA is still working on the new building project, but no changes have been made. 911 chairman Evan Simple introduced himself to the committee. 911 is testing new apps that could be used for air evacuation. Old Business: The animal control projector rifle has been purchased and should arrive within the next few weeks. The committee discussed the remaining grant money for animal control use. Next meeting March 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm.
Informative
Law Enforcement Center Pay/Progress: The center is 78% complete with a completion projected in May. Exterior work is being completed along with interior. No solution to the generator being back ordered.
Board of Health – Statistics were given on the health
Chamber of Commerce – No Report
Economic Development (JEDI) – February met and plans to do quarterly meetings.
Swick made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of County Board February 10 and March 3 Special Meeting Minutes; Approval of February and March Standing Committee Minutes; Adoption of Agriculture Support Resolution (Farm Bureau); Adoption of Resolution Utilizing STR and RBI Funds for Section 20-00137-00-FP (Highway Dept.); File County Reports; Allow Claims. Weddell seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old business: None
New Business:
Corey addressed the Finance Committee in February about a site audit and remediation proposal for all county offices except the Health Department. This has been an ongoing topic discussed at both the Finance and Operations Committee. The contract will be addressed at the April meeting with the contract being viewed by the States Attorney.
A proposal to increase the pay rate of paramedics and EMTs both full and part-time has been discussed and approved through the Ambulance and Finance Committee. Jeremy Gracey (Manager) presented handouts showing the proposed increase. If fully staffed the pay increase would be a saving to the County because it would eliminate extra overtime. This along with the inability to be competitive with current wages is the reason behind the proposed increase. The Ambulance Committee is bringing this to the full board to be fully transparent, normally an increase could be approved at the committee level unless an adjustment in the County Ambulance Budget was being requested. Hickox asked but what plan if this doesn’t work. Heltsley asked if the budget would handle the pay increase. Salary will be over what was budgeted, but other items could be under budget. Weddell made a motion to approve the Jasper County Ambulance Service Pay Rate Increase. Geier seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The Finance committee on Monday discussed the allocation of ARPA Funds. After reviewing the request that was submitted it was decided that to help with the cost of the Law Enforcement Center the Finance Committee approved the allocation of Funds $436,361 would cover reimbursement cost to Jasper County 911 for the purchase of a 7 Site Simulcast System as well as a Reimbursement to Jasper County 911 for the purchase of a Zetron 2 Position Dispatch Console. $376,878 would be allocated to cover the Law Enforcement Center #23001-Mechanical for the HVAC System. Including all labor and materials associated with duck work, compressors, condensers, heat pumps, filters, grills, thermostats, etc. The allocation of these funds as pointed out by the Treasurer should keep the County from having to borrow any money to pay off the remainder of the Law Enforcement Center Project while retaining $3,500,000 + in the County General Fund. Leffler would like to save the money to save on taxes. This money cannot be saved. The money has to be allocated. Geier made a motion to adopt the allocation of $813,239 from Jasper County’s ARPA Funds to the Law Enforcement Center HVAC & 911 Dispatch Systems/Consoles. Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell. Leffler voted no. Bollman and Kerner was absent.
If the above allocation is approved the County will be left with $1,053,391 once the 2nd payment is received this summer. It was discussed at the Finance Committee to regroup and reassess where we should allocate the remaining funds and have a proposal this summer. Items to consider include a proposed EMA Building, Clerk & Assessment Digitalizing Records, Equipment for Ambulance & Highway Department, and County Building Improvements to name a few.
Members of the public have sought to meet with the Board of Review. In years past the Board of Review would be available to the public during certain days. COVID changed that slightly but with restrictions lifted there are questions as to the availability of the Board of Review to the public. Mr. Woods addressed the board. The Board of Review sets their own rules. Woods passed out the rules of Jasper County Board of Review.
At the February meeting, the Board on the recommendation of the Highway Department Committee approved Andrew Deters as our next County Highway Engineer pending completion of test and contract agreement. Mr. Deters completed the necessary test and has agreed to a contract. This would be the official appointment and contract agreement to hire Andrew Deters as our next County Highway Engineer. Mr. Deters is here this evening to introduce himself and answer any questions. He spoke about himself and is happy to come here and get involved. Heltsley asked if it was contracted employment or an employee of the county. Deters would be an employee of the county and would receive the same benefits. Leffler made a motion to adopt the Jasper County Highway Engineer Appointment and Employment Contract Resolution thus hiring Mr. Andrew Deters as our next County Highway Engineer. Hickox seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Bland said this would be construction of a soil cement base course and bituminous surface treatment of the Hunt City Road. Hall made a motion for the approval of Engineering Services with Connor & Connor for Section 21-10131-00-FP (Highway Dept.). Swick seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Board Comments: Hickox wanted to thank Ben Bland and looks forward to working with the guy.
Weddell would like the board members to attend the ambulance meetings.
Chairman’s Comments: Warfel offered condolences to Mr. Bollman and his family on the passing of his Grandmother Joan Brown. Reminder Ambulance Tax Referendum Town Hall Meeting March 22nd at 7pm at High School Thank you to Ben Bland – County Engineer was presented a plaque for his service to the county. 292 board meetings between the 2 counties. Ben said it was an honor working for the county.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 7:50 pm. Hickox seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The next regular Jasper County Board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
