Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
September 18, 2025
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, September 18, 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 Geier,
Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell. Francis was absent.
Adoption of the agenda. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.
Public Comments:
Warfel spoke on behalf of Jennifer Hinterscher and Anthea Zumbahlen from the Jasper County
Museum to update the County Board/Community on recent updates including their move to 201
E. Washington Street Newton, IL. Formerly the Museum was located in the back room at the
Newton Public Library, more space was needed, and they located an available building. The
Museum was originally set up in March 1960 but did not formally open until Summer of 1966. It
began with a private collection of Early Americana items, donated by Newton druggists Henry
and Frank Schackmann, stored in the empty room behind the library, formerly the Star Movie
Theater. In 2000, Friends of the Museum was established, with the aim of increasing
understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Jasper County, and to keep an inventory of
items, and to update the displays from time to time. In 2022 this group ceased to meet, and the
library staff closed the museum doors, as the space was becoming unsafe for visitors. In 2024,
Hinterscher and Zumbahlen began planning to move the Museum to a new, stand-alone
location, which also freed up more space for the library. They anticipate a Grand Opening this
October, which will be their 60th anniversary. They are requesting $5,000 annual donations.
The board will take up this item later.
Reports:
County Departments:
Ambulance Department – 911 transports 52; Transfers 22; Accidents 9; Refusals 22; Mutual Aid Standby
37
Highway Department – The mowing of the right way has begun ¼ way around the county. The
summer oil and chipping for townships, villages and county are complete, including the County’s
Pavement Preservation consisting of 21.78 miles and the county building parking lot was
completed today.
Health Department – 1102 clients served in August. East end building main phase is mostly
complete. Upcoming Flu Clinics will be offered and call for an appointment, walk-ins will be accepted if
a nurse is available. October 2 nd Cancer Support Bingo at St. Thomas Parish doors open at 5 Bingo
starts at 6 pm. Quilt raffle will be the night of the bingo. Cancer Support meeting October 9 th 5-6 pm at
the West End Event Center there will be a speaker on nutrition. Final tick drag of the season will be
completed shortly. The next board of health meeting will be September 22 at 5:30. Weddell commented
the building is very nice.
County Positions/Services:
Building Maintenance – There may be an issue with the doors on the new storage building.
heater is finished being installed. County building brick work will be inspected to see if it needs
tuck pointed. If needed will plan to have it completed over a few years.
Jasper County Courthouse – Almost ready to pass the Illinois EPA waiting for a signature.
Chief Judge sent an email referencing minimum court standards to ensure we comply. ADG and
Stone & Waggoner met to go over the email, no issues.
Information Technology – Continuing to update computers. Mention of new server to make
plans for.
Animal Control – She will be going over some minor issues with the animal control building and
fees.
Elected Officials:
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for August was
$789,322.46. The expenses for August were $397,603.06. Total income less expenses for
August a net of $391,719.40. Fiscal year 2024/2025 income was $3,414,201.10. Less Expenses
were $3,495,910.16 with a net loss of $81,709.06.
Other Elected Officials/Offices –
County Clerk – In Packet
Consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening: Approval of
County Board August 21, 2025, Minutes; Reappointment of James Nix as Commissioner of the
Sainte Marie Drainage and Levee District [2028]; Reappointment of Donald F. Clark as
Commissioner of the Mint Creek Drainage District [2028]; File County 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. Flags have been received from Judy
McClure’s Sign and Graphics, Inc., and Borgic Designs. The County will work with the Chamber
of Commerce to have a flag raising ceremony for the new County Flag and get flags to all
County Office/Department buildings.
New Business:
Item A. – Approval to Close Non-Emergency County Offices on Wednesday, October 15, 2025,
From 8:00 A.M. Until 1:00 P.M. For All County Employee Training
During the period of open enrollment for Health Insurance (beginning October 1 st ),
representatives from the HopeTrust have made themselves available either by hosting a
luncheon or visiting individual offices. This year, the plan is to host a half-day training
session to review a little more in-depth the County’s Health Insurance, provide mandated
Sexual Harassment and Cyber Security Training, review frequently asked questions
relating to the Personnel Policy, IMRF & Additional Benefits, and address any additional
employee/HR related matters. The plan would be for this to take place on Wednesday,
October 15 th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with lunch being provided, and
offices/departments would reopen at 1:00 p.m. All non-emergency offices would be closed
for this period (the board would need to approve). The Jasper County Community Unit #1
School District is willing to let us use the Unit Office (old Sunrise Community Center) for the
training session. Any emergency offices/departments that are unable to attend would be
offered the chance to watch in real time via Zoom or watch a recording of the presentation.
Weddell said employees must be there if not a vacation or personal time would need to be
used. Schackmann moved to approve the closing of Non-Emergency County Offices on
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 8am until 1pm for all-County Employee Training.
Geier seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. All Non-Emergency County
Offices will be closed on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 8am until 1p for an all-County
Employee Training.
Board Comments: None
Chairman’s Comments: Warfel along with 21 other counties attended the UCCI Washington
DC trip.
Upcoming Meetings
United Counties Council of Illinois Meeting – September 22, 2025 – Springfield, IL
SRM (Snedeker Risk Management) Fall Conference – September 24 & 25 – Peoria, IL
FY2026 Jasper County Budget Meetings – Thursday, September 25, 2025
Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Regional Meeting – October 2, 2025 – Lawrenceville, IL
County All Staff Training – October 15, 2025 from 8am – 1pm
Illinois Association of County Board Members Meeting – October 17, 2025 – Springfield, IL
United Counties Council of Illinois Fall Conference – October 24-25, 2025 – Springfield, IL
Executive/Closed Session – The Board does have an executive/closed session to discuss:
Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). There will be no action taken following the executive/closed
session. Pickens moved for the board to enter an executive session under the following
exception: Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). Spiker seconded the motion. Geier, Heltsley, Judson,
Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell voted yes with a roll call vote. Francis was
absent. The Board entered an Executive Session at 6:17 pm.
Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm. Schackmann seconded the motion. Motion
carried on a voice vote.
The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
