Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
February 15, 2024
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, February 15, 2024. The meeting was called to
order at 6:00 pm by proclamation according to law by Kurt Long. Kurt Long led a moment in silence and
the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens,
Spiker, Warfel, and Weddell.
193 Anniversary of the County and City of Newton on today’s date.
Public comments:
Sarah Diel Kinkade from the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation. The Hometown
Hero Award for February 2024 was awarded to Al Thompson. Micheal Geier nominated him for the work
for the patriotic display for the annual Veterans Day. Geier nominated Al Thompson for this award for
obvious reasons. The amount of time and energy he put into the Veteran’s Day program every year
cannot be understated. There have been times when Geier has been working, Geier has driven past the
square and has seen Al out on the lawn marking and driving stakes for the flags into the ground, by
himself. Because of his dedication and selfless sacrifice, Jasper County has a beautiful, patriotic display
that honors our veterans every November 11th. When Geier spoke as guest speaker during the
Veteran’s Day program in 2021, Geier read a quote from George Washington. “The willingness with
which our young people are likely to serve in any wars, no matter how justified, shall be directly
proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their
nation.” Geier can assure you; Jasper County veterans feel appreciated, and the community is
appreciative of everything Al does. So, on behalf of the citizens of Jasper County Geier wanted to
express gratitude for all the work Al put forth regarding the annual Veteran’s Day Program. Geier cannot
think of anyone more deserving of this award.
Geier moved to approve the agenda. Deckard seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Reports:
County Departments
Ambulance – January 2024 Run Report; 911 – 89; Transfers – 36; Refusals/no patient contact/
canceled en route – 16; Mutal Aid assists – 15 Total: 156
Highway Department – The Rock & Pipe Letting for the County & Townships was held on January 22,
- Pipe and rock prices were up approximately 5% on average. County Highway is putting together
the 2024 Pavement Preservation project which consists of 28.6 miles of chip and seal work using
Federal and State Funds. The roads programed this year are the Run Around Road, Bogota, and Rose
Hill East Road. We are also putting together the plans and paperwork for the West Liberty Soil Cement
Project which consists of 2.75 miles. The Electronic Recycling event is scheduled for Saturday, March
23, 2024. Please see the attachment for this event. Randy Kistner is asking for a variance to the County
Set-Back Ordinance along County Highway #4 (1100E – Buck Grove Road). He is requesting a 70’ set-
back. County Engineer visited the site and finds no issue with the 70’ set-back and recommends
discussion and approval by the Full County Board.
Board of Health – January meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will be February 26 th at 4:30 pm.
The health department building renovations are at 75% complete.
County Positions/Services
Building Maintenance – Jan 19 Pickens took an insurance inspector to all the county buildings and the
communications tower for inspection. Feb 2 Pickens met with Tiffany Keller and Lee Beckman about a
federal grant for courthouse sidewalks and light poles.
Animal Control – In Packet
IT Consultant – Logan will be in contact with FieldWrxs, so fiber work should be started in the future.
Elected Officials
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The general fund income of $245,181.65,
and the personal property income of $61,957.61 with a total income for January were $307,139.26. The
expenses for January were $354,537.26. Total income less expenses for January a net loss of
$47,398.17. Year to Date State/General Fund income is $444,918.91, Personal Property Income
$89,976.19 with a grand total of $534,895.10. Less Expenses were $644,984.36 with a net loss of
$110,089.26.
Other Elected Officials/Offices
The County Clerk’s office is open for early voting. There has been a total of 42 voters, and it has been a
week to date. The office is open for early voting 8 am – 4 pm. M-F and will be open the Saturday before
the election 9 am to 12 pm. If anyone knows of anyone who is not able to get out and vote an application
for a ballot can be requested and then a ballot will be sent to the voter.
Bollman moved to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of County Board
January 11, 2024, and February 1, 2024, Minutes; Approval of Variance to County Set-Back Ordinance
along County Highway #4 (1100E-Buck Grove Road); File County Reports; and Allow Claims
Pickens seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old Business:
Item A – County of Jasper/City of Newton Website
Imaginethis! is continuing to work on the County of Jasper/City of Newton website. A sitemap will be
included in the packet and content submission forms will be distributed to all County
Offices/Departments. The content submission forms are due back by February 29. On the proposed
timeline considering time for review and feedback, 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 if all goes well.
Item B – Energy Transition Community Grant
The Grant has been awarded and the State is awaiting decisions from the County regarding how we wish
to proceed forward. With the help of the South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development
Commission, we have begun the process of applying for Year 2 of the Grant. Additional information on
the Year 2 cycle will be sent to board members are updates are received.
Item C – Jasper County Courthouse
Following the Public Meeting and with the Year 1 award from the Energy Transition Community Grant
pending we need direction from the board on the path forward. Both options New Construction or
Rehabilitation will be a lengthy process but the path starts with an initial step. Board votes to proceed
forward.; Request for Qualifications for Engineering and Architectural Services.; Selection of Engineering
and Architectural Services.; Preliminary cost estimates on Judicial or All-encompassing building.; Initial
Building Floorplan/Concept – Price Estimate.; Final Floorplan/Concept Approval.; Bid Process.; Board
approves or rejects Bids.; Board approves contract. The first step is a direction from the board so we can
proceed forward. This is far from the final step or vote in this process. Heltsley asked about the remodel
of the courthouse if this is an option. Bollman asked if we changed our minds, it would be able to be
changed up until the building is demolished. Warfel said once we hit 50% of the current value of the
building then we must bring up to code. Geier said Edgar County has run into a lot of problems and the
cost is more. Geier said need to look at the standing of the future of the building. Woodard commented
that the building needs to withstand the remodel. Judson said he would like to see all the offices under
one building. Pickens said to keep the county building and build a smaller courthouse. Treccia said the
chief judge must approve the courthouse. Geier moved to approve for the Board to move forward with
plans for replacement of the Jasper County Courthouse in the current location. Spiker seconded the
motion. Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Spiker, Warfel, and Weddell voted yes.
Motion carried on a roll call vote. The county will proceed forward with plans for the replacement of the
Jasper County Courthouse at the current location.
New Business:
Item A – 2024 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Courthouse Square
Streetscape Improvements
Tiffany Keller has been working with Milano Grunloh Engineers, LLC from Effingham on this grant. The
purpose of the grant would be to upgrade the street lighting and sidewalks on the county property of the
courthouse square to look like the city property around the square. In addition, plans would be to add a
handicapped parking space on the east side of the courthouse lawn. Applications for the grant are
accepted starting later this year but prior to that, a public hearing must be conducted on the proposed
grant. The timing of the grant would coincide with any future plans for the courthouse, and most likely
take place after work on the building had been completed. The grant is an 80/20 grant on the streetscape
improvements and a 50/50 grant on the streetlight improvements. If the grant moves forward the County
would be the sponsor and responsible for the cost not covered by the grant. An estimate of that cost will
be provided by Milano Grunloh Engineers and the County Board will need to vote in a subsequent
meeting on proceeding forward as the sponsor of the grant.
Item B – Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural & Engineering Services – Courthouse
Project
For the Sheriff’s Office and Jail Project, the County partnered with Architecture & Design Group ADG and
Connor & Connor for the Architectural & Engineering Services. Unlike other proposals the County may
seek, when it comes to the Architectural & Engineering Services on a project the services are based on a
% of the overall cost of the project. Therefore, architecture and engineering firms do not “compete” based
on price because the price is fixed % rather they are competing based on their reputation and
experience. If the board wishes to consider other firms for the project, we will need to issue an RFQ or
Request for Qualifications. A Request for Qualifications helps the County find architects or engineers
who have the necessary expertise, resources, and financial stability to complete the project based on
their experience, past performance, technical capabilities, and other relevant criteria. If we want to issue
a Request for Qualifications for the Courthouse project, Warfel suggested announcing that at the
February meeting and having the RFQs due back to the board by March 18, 2024, for review and
selection at the March meeting. Heltsley said he would like to see a request for qualifications. Geier said
he would not know what others would be like. Pickens said he would like to see local individuals involved
in the project. Heltsley moved to issue a Request for Qualifications for Architectural & Engineering
Services (RFQ) for the Jasper County Courthouse Project. Weddell seconded the motion. Motion carried
on a voice vote. An RFQ has been issued for Architectural & Engineering Services for the Jasper County
Courthouse Project.
Board Comments:
Judson said we have our work cut out for ourselves.
Chairman’s Comments: Jasper County Economic Development, Inc. will host a Meet-Greet-& Learn on
February 21 st beginning at 6pm at the Newton KC Hall. Kala Lambert with Illinois DCEO will be on hand.
The Jasper County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting “Bye Bye Miss American Pie, an Evening with
Mike Hartrich on Friday, March 1, 2024 starting at 5:30 p.m. Jasper County Highway Department will
hold an Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 7AM until 1:30PM (unless the
trailer is filled before). This is for Jasper County residents only and is free of charge. A reminder all Non-
Emergency County Offices/Departments will be closed this Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of
the President’s Day Holiday.
The board had an executive session with no action taken following the executive session, the board
adjourned from the executive/closed session.
Geier moved at 6:49 pm for the board to enter an executive session under the following exception:
Discussion of Property (exception 5). Bollman seconded the motion. Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley,
Judson, Pickens, Spiker, Warfel, and Weddell voted yes. Motion carried on a roll call vote. The Board
entered an Executive Session.
Geier moved to adjourn at 7:33 pm. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The Next Board Meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
