Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
December 15, 2022
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, December15 th , 2022. 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. Warfel explained attendance by means other than physical
presence. If a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present as required by the Open
Meetings Act, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by
other means (Defined as video or Audio Conference) if the member is prevented from physically
attending because of one of the following reasons: 1) Personal Illness or Disability, 2) Employment
Purposes or the Business of the Public Body, 3) A Family or other Emergency. Mr. Bollman because of
personal illness is unable to attend in person this evening since we need majority consent to allow him to
attend by “other means,” no one objected to his attendance by Zoom. State’s Attorney Treccia is
attending a State’s Attorney’s conference and is unable to be here in person this evening, he is also
joining us by Zoom. Members present were Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Spiker,
Warfel, and Weddell.
Public comments: Lindsay Vogt, Tony Trimble and Mike Evans with the Jasper County Farm Bureau
presented a plaque in recognition of being the first county board in the State of Illinois to sign a
Resolution to Support Agriculture. Open house for Tony Trimble’s retirement as Manager will be Monday
1-4 pm.
Herb Meeker asked about the open house on the jail and congratulated us on getting to this point.
Geier made a motion to approve the agenda. Deckard seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice
vote.
Reports:
County Departments
Ambulance: Jennifer Hargave gave the report. 127 calls for service. 68 911’s; 18 pt refusal to transport; 2
MVA’s; 20 Transfers; 10 Standby; and 9 Mutual aid assists. She has spoken with Jason and Clinton to
start paying claims twice a month as we are still receiving multiple late fees. Applied for one but have not
heard yet if grant will be awarded. Clay Cutright and John Phillips are watching for grants to see which
grants apply and applying to the ones eligible for. She is getting a quote for new 2358 to be re-mounted
as it is in the shop monthly due to the def system. Since this ambulance is costly to the department,
needs to be replaced with or without grant. Decisions will need to be made about replacing the other 2
ambulances and when we will need to do that by as a new ambulance take approx. 2 to 2.5 years to
receive. CMS is requiring all ambulance services to report data to them by May of 2023. This is a
requirement of all ambulance services in the United States. Noncompliance will result in decrease in
every payment made to the ambulance. Jan 10-May 1 st an EMT class will be offered at the ambulance
service. 15 students with 2 classes Tuesday and Thursday nights. Jasper County Ambulance service is
fully staffed. There was discussion on taking the def system off the ambulance.
Highway Department: A.C and James met with Andrew and Denise at the highway department on
Monday. Going to meet with them every Monday before the board meeting. The resolution for 2023
County Maintenance is paid with County Motor Fuel Funds. Two guardrail construction remain out of the
26 locations. West of Gila, approximately ¼ mile east of 400E on 1800N and Run around Road,
approximately ¾ mile west of 500E on 750N. The last 2 guardrail locations will not be completed until
early next year, due to waiting on materials.
Board of Health: Next Meeting January 23 at 5:30 pm. Mental Health building is almost complete by end
of month and be in by the first of the year.
County Positions/Services
Building Maintenance: Francis stated Rex Shew is working part time to help. Interviews will be held
Monday, hopefully will be able to hire someone. SL Contractors came Wednesday and talked to them.
The bid for 6 windows in courthouse to remove all the old caulking, replace with new backer rod and
caulking and repair interior damage is $6,250. They also came to the county building in the county board
room and looked at the windows and the quote is $2,400. Lawrenceville Roofing will be fix roofing over
the staircase in courthouse. Discussion for January will be the agreement with Olney Bank on the sign,
pavilion and 5-year plan. Judson stated the courthouse needs a lot of work and there needs to be a long-
term plan.
County Jail and Sheriff Office: Woodard stated final punch list is complete. Contractor is working to
complete the list. Everything needs to be done for final payment. Open house will December 21 st from 4-
6 pm a tour will be given, recommend everyone to attend. Sheriff thanked the board for the building and
see where we have come from June 2021 was the start of the building. Geier said it has been an
interesting process. Weddell stated overall a very nice building. The conversation started in 2017 and
has continued. The building has been completed without having to raising the taxes. Geier stated the
county would not have a jail if a new building was not built because of state requirements.
Information Technology Consultant: Corey plans to consolidate camera system.
Supervisor of Assessment Office: Matson has been on the job for 2 weeks. He is not sure on dates. The
staff has been working very well. He has visited Cumberland and Clay County Assessor Offices. He was
able to sign up for the 4 tests beginning May 2 nd finishing on the May 24 th . February and March classes
are already full and now the May class is full also. Everyone is working together. All the scans have been
uploaded to VanGuard.
Animal Control: Austin is not here but report is included in the packet.
Elected Officials
Treasurer: Reports from Bigard was sent in the board packet. The month of November is the end of the
new fiscal year so the expenses are more than the income because offices trying spend part of their
budgeted money before the start of the new budget. Bigard stated the end of fiscal year 2021/2022
income for state/general fund income of $3,842,355.57, and the personal property income of
$717,588.96 with a total income for the year of $4,559,944.53. The expenses for the fiscal ending
$3,189,717.74. Total income less expenses for the year fiscal year in the positive $1,370,226.79.
Other Elected Officials/Offices
Tarr thanked the board for approving the digitalization of records. This should be completed sometime
this spring. Currently the county has available to the public to search recorded documents from 2009
forward. The website is https://recordhub.cottsystems.com/ . Sign up and can use for free only have to
pay if print copies of the documents.
Geier made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of County
Board November 17, 2022 & December 1, 2022, Minutes; Adoption of Resolution for 2023 County
Highway Maintenance Using Motor Fuel Tax Monies; Accept Fourth Judicial Circuit Appointment of
Lindsay A. Wantuck as County Public Defender; Appointment of Ron Heltsley to the Jasper County
Board of Health for a 3-Year Term [Dec 2025]; File County Reports; and Allow Claims. Pickens
seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Item A – Adoption of County FY2023 Annual Levy Ordinance
December is the month the County’s Annual Levy for all funds that County oversees is approved. Please
find those 14 funds and proposed amounts attached, the previous finance committee had worked on the
proposed amounts. The County is seeing increasing expenses in Audit Fees, Tort Judgements, Liability,
Social Security, and Worker’s Compensation. These increases can be offset by decreases in
Unemployment Insurance and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (I.M.R.F.) Over a decade ago the
County offered an Early Retirement Option to employees something that was viewed as a necessity at
the time during the recession. Since that time the I.M.R.F. rates have leveled off and the County now
has adequate funds in the account that the levy can be reduced. The Highway Department & Solid
Waste recently working with the County Clerk’s office reviewed their levied funds. Their funds are set at
the max amounts and have been for several years. However, the five funds (County Highway, Bridge
Construction within County, Federal Aid Matching, Garbage Disposal, and Special County Highway) all
show increases this year totaling $130,000. Anticipating that the Equalized Assessed Value has
increased and continues to increase the Highway Department would be entitled to potential money they
are not collecting. The Proposed County Levy was $3,412,988 that is $103,500 less than the previous
year. The proposed levy is in keeping with the history of the past 6 years plus of lowering the levy.
During the last 5 years the County has lowered the County’s levy by $342,012. Please note this board
does not control all tax levies that are on the tax bills. Schools, Community Colleges, Municipalities,
Townships, Fire Protection Districts, and Libraries all control their own individual tax levies that account
for a substantial portion of your annual property tax bill. County’s Tax Levy Past 5 Years: FY2019
$3,755,000; FY2020 $3,622,053; FY2021 $3,536,470; FY2022 $3,516,488; FY2023 $3,412,988
Judson made motion to adopt the FY2023 Annual Levy Ordinance. Heltsley seconded the motion. A roll
call vote was taken with Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Spiker, Warfel, and
Weddell voting yes. The FY2023 Levy was Adopted.
Item B – Adoption of Resolution Personnel Policy of the County of Jasper
Every two years, board is required to review and make any necessary changes to the Jasper County
Personnel Policy. After sending the proposed personnel policy to the board members earlier in the
week, Warfel asked they take time to review the document. Department heads met on Monday
afternoon to review the changes in depth. The biggest changes dealt with Time Off (Vacation, Holidays,
Sick Leave) updating the Family Medical Leave Act, adding Operating County Owned Vehicle policy,
adding a nepotism policy, and some additional language changes and reformatting the document
throughout. If passed this evening this document would take effect beginning on Monday, December 19,
2022. Warfel thanked Mr. Geier, the previous Operations Committee, all the Department Heads and
elected officials that had a hand in revising the new policy. Geier made motion to adopt the Resolution
Personnel Policy of the County of Jasper #22-12-15. Weddell seconded the motion. The motion was
approved on a voice vote. The New Personnel Policy was adopted.
Item C – Approval of County Courthouse Word to Fix Water Leaks
At the request of some of the offices in the Courthouse, A.C. has been in contact with a company out of
Hillsboro, Illinois that specializes in Brick Masonry work and fixing water/moisture leaks. A.C. and James
met with the company on Wednesday. An estimate of $8650 was presented. There was some
discussion. Geier made motion to approve the county courthouse and county building work by SL
Contractors estimated at $8650. Spiker seconded the motion. The motion was approved on a voice vote.
Board Comments: Geier thanked chairman and clerk for the set up the Chromebooks. Can take with you
or can leave here. Copy of agenda will still be paper. Weddell said the appreciation meal was well
attended very appreciated and thinks it should be continued yearly. Jason, Angela and Doug for helping
to come up with the appreciation meal.
Chairman’s Comments: Points of Contact: In the absence of Board Committees 2 board members have
been assigned as points of contact for the various County Offices and Departments. Warfel asked that
board members and the various offices and departments remain in regular contact to address any issues
or concerns that may arise. Liquor Commissioner: In accordance and as permitted by the Liquor Control
Act of 1934, I hereby designate Ron Heltsley as the Liquor Control Commissioner for Jasper County.
This appointment shall last until the next County Board organizational meeting on December 1, 2024.
CPR & Defibrillator Training: In the past the Jasper County Ambulance Service offered CPR and
Defibrillator Training for the various County Buildings and offices. I spoke with Jennifer Hargrave,
Ambulance Service Manager and they would like to coordinate a time that works best for the various
buildings and offices. Working collectively within your specific building reach out to the Ambulance
Service to schedule a time. County Jail & Sheriff’s Office Open House: A Public Open House for the
Newly completed County Jail and Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for next Wednesday, December 21 st from
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Public will be able to tour the facility with a guided walk-through. 2031 will mark the
200th anniversary of the founding of Jasper County. This is only 8 years away. At the County Board
organizational meeting on December 1 st , Warfel challenged board members, county elected officials,
department heads and employees to think big and identify both short term and long-term goals. Far too
often we merely act in a reactive fashion combating issues and problems as they arise instead of taking
a proactive approach and work towards obtainable goals and solutions with a well thought out approach.
Over the next few months, Warfel challenges you individually, within your office/department and in talks
with others to think about where you envision Jasper County government and services in 2031. Work on
formulating both short-term (1-3 years) and long-term goals for your office and department and how
collectively the County and County Board can aid in achieving those goals. What will your specific
office/department look like in 2031 in terms of personnel, resources, public accessibility? As we enter
2023 these are the discussions, Warfel asks that you have within your offices/departments and with your
respective County Board points of contact.
County Offices closed on Monday, December 26 th & Monday, January 2: A public reminder that because
of the Christmas and New Year’s holiday falling on Sundays this year Jasper County Offices will be
closed on Monday, December 26 th and Monday, January 2 nd .
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Best Wishes to all Citizens of Jasper County, County Employees,
Elected Officials, and Board Members for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Executive/Closed Session: Not Needed
Geier moved to adjourn at 7:10 pm. Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Next Regular Board Meeting will be Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
