Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
December 20, 2025
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, December 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 Francis, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell.
Public Comments: None
Adoption of the agenda. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.
Reports:
County Departments:
Ambulance Department – November Ambulance Report -911 Transports- 45; Transfers – 27; Accidents – 6; Fire Standby – 4; Refusals – 20; Mutual Aid Standby – 40. Ambulance Year Report 12/1/2024-11/30/2025 -Total Incidents 2,229- -911 Transports- 748; Transfers – 394; Accidents – 61; Refusals – 274. Zoll Cardiac Monitors had maintenance this month by Zoll service representative. They all checked out good.
Highway Department – The new tandem and solid waste trucks are scheduled to be built in the first part of January. 2026 Solid Waste schedule is available on the county website – services – solid waste.
Health Department – Total Number of clients served for the month of November 1,108. Nursing – 620; Behavioral Health – 449; Environmental Health – 39. Flu vaccinations are available. Please call the Health Department for an appointment. Walk-in’s welcome if a nurse is available. Covid vaccinations are also still available. We are ordering on a supply and demand basis so please call for an appointment. Next Cancer Support group meeting is on January 8th from 5-6 pm at the Health Department. February 5, 2026, will be the American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Knights of Columbus Hall hosted by the health department. February 10, 2026, will be the annual Free PSA and Lipid clinic from 7 am to 1 pm open to the public at the health department. 3 new grants –1. Adult and Pediatric Grant to boost vaccination levels by promoting health department and offering extended vaccination clinics. This ends this December 2025. 2. Oral Health grant for WIC clients starts January 2026 and ends December 2027. 3. IL Vaccine Access program grant ends June 2026. Next BOH meeting is January 26th at 5:30pm
County Positions/Services:
Building Maintenance – December 3rd Kirchners Building Centers measured the health department annex building for carpet. December 20th at 10:00 am Nick Seabaugh will be at the courthouse to determine an estimate on moving the contents to new offices and/or the storage building.
Jasper County Courthouse – Mechanical blueprints are being developed. Next month ground bore testing is planned.
Information Technology – Bill has been received for the new server for the county building. Spiker added that we need to keep the warranty up to date, it comes with 3 year warranty.
Animal Control – Alisia Wise had 10 calls in the county and 7 calls in the city. Impounded 5 dogs. Collected $296 in pound fees. Female dog euthanized for behavioral due to bite history. Tranquilizers were ordered. Cats are being left in homes with no food and water. Will be prosecuting them. Saved by Grace has been taking the cats that are not deceased.
Elected Officials:
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for November was $270,326.56. The expenses for November were $315,841.86. Total income less expenses for November a net loss of $45,515.30. Fiscal year 2024/2025 income was $4,585,967.53. Less Expenses were $4,514,690.67 with a net profit of $71,276.86.
Other Elected Officials/Offices –
County Clerk – In Packet
Tom Matson informed the vacancy of the Multi township assessor due Jolyn Bigard taking a new job not allowing her to complete this job. Pam Burnell filled the position. December 31 Sharon Rauch will be retiring. 25 years of experience. Next Tuesday a retirement party in the boardroom 1 pm – 3 pm. The Governor signed SB642 into law; a direct link to the changes in the Senior Freeze Household Income Threshold are:2025 (payable 2026): $65,000, based on household income for 2024. 2026 (payable 2027): $75,000, based on household income for 2025. 2027 (payable 2028): $77,000, based on household income for 2026. 2028 (payable 2029): $79,000, based on household income for 2027. After the 2028 (payable 2029) tax year, the threshold remains unchanged at $79,000 unless the legislature takes action to change it; it has not been indexed for inflation.
Consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening: Approval of Jasper County Board, November 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes; Approval of Jasper County Board, November 20, 2025, Budget Meeting Minutes; Reappointment of Ron Heltsley to a 3-Year Term on the Jasper County Board of Health; Appointment of Mike Hall as Jasper County Representative to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA); File County Reports; and Allow Claims. There was no objection, the Consent Agenda was adopted.
Old Business:
No Old Business
New Business:
Item A. – Approval Of 2026 Jasper County Board Meeting Schedule
2026 Jasper County Board Meetings will continue to be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Jasper County Building located at 204 W Washington Street, Newton, IL 62448. Dates, Times, and locations of meetings are subject to change with notice. Items for the agenda/packet must be submitted by noon on Monday, the week of the meeting. Geier moved to Approve the 2026 Jasper County Board Meeting Schedule. Francis seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The 2026 Jasper County Board Meeting Schedule has been approved.
Item B. – Adoption of Jasper County FY2026 Annual Levy Ordinance
As part of its statutory duties, the County Board is required to review the annual tax levy and make any changes or adjustments for the coming year. Please find those 14 funds and the proposed amounts listed in the packet. Proposed changes from FY2025 to FY2026 include lowering 062 Workers’ Compensation by $3,000. Increasing 059 Special Highway by $10,000; 025 Garbage Disposal by $12,500; 022 County Health Department by $9,072; 021 Federal Aid Matching by $5,000; 008 Bridge Construction by $5,000; 006 County Highway by $10,000; and 001 Corporate by $122,017. The proposed overall County Levy would be increased by $170,589. These levies are subject to County Board changes and approval.
Over the past decade, we have worked hard to tighten our belts as a County and live within our means. The proposed levy is still below what the levy was 8 years ago. Past 8 Years:
FY2019 $3,755,000; FY2020 $3,622,053; FY2021 $3,536,470; FY2022 $3,516,488; FY2023 $3,412,988; FY2024 $3,412,478; FY2025 $3,412,478; FY2026 $3,583,067
Geier moved to Adopt the Jasper County FY2026 Annual Levy Ordinance. Weddell seconded the motion. Francis, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell voted yes with a roll call vote. Motion carried on a roll call vote. The Jasper County FY2026 Levy has been adopted.
Item C. – Health Department Annex Building Carpet Estimate
A carpet estimate has been received for the Health Department Annex Building. This building was previously used as the temporary location of the Sheriff’s Office during the construction of the new Sheriff’s Office and Jail. The plan is to use this building as the temporary location for the Jasper County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Jasper County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Jasper County Probation Department during the construction of the new Jasper County Courthouse. In anticipation of the office relocation, carpet replacement was identified as one of the upgrades being undertaken for the building. Estimate for material $7,600 and for labor $3,300 for a grant total of $10,972.75. This would be paid out of the courthouse move line item in the budget. Spiker moved to Approve the Carpet Estimate for the Jasper County Health Department Annex Building for up to $6,000. Judson seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The carpet estimate has been approved.
Board Comments:
Geier wanted to clear up about the alleged county board imposing any additional tax for groceries, the county has not imposed any additional tax on groceries. Weddell said Illinois is not using the marketplace for health insurance but Get Covered Illinois. Weddell will be paying $1,646 a month just for himself for health insurance.
Chairman’s Comments:
Upcoming County Holidays:
Non-emergency County Offices and Departments will be closed:
Wednesday, December 24 & Thursday, December 25, 2025, for the Christmas Holiday.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 & Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year’s Holiday.
A listing of the 2026 Jasper County Holiday Calendar and Board Meeting Schedule is included in the packet on page 288.
Warfel wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Executive/Closed Session
The Board does not have an executive/closed session this evening.
Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at pm. Francis seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, January 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
