Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
February 11 th , 2021
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, February 11th, 2021. 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 Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall,
Heltsley, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell. Hickox was absent.
Public comments: No Public comments
Francis commented Catholic Schools week was last week. Jill Bierman the school principal gave
Francis something to give each of the board members to recognize and show their appreciation for their
community service.
Herb Meeker spoke if there is a closed session in committee meetings to include reason for closed
session in minutes.
Warfel asked all board members to review the items on the consent agenda, if any one member wishes
to have an item removed from the consent agenda to discuss and vote on separately, they may request
it.
Pickens made a motion to approve the agenda. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a
voice vote.
Committee Reports: Standing Committees
Ambulance Department: The Jasper County Ambulance Committee met on Wednesday February
3rd, 2021. Informational Items: Station updates: The generator maintenance agreement was renewed
for 2021, Jesse Yager had to remove the snow once so far from the parking lot, the new phones have
been dropped off and are still in their boxes. Equipment updates: A programmable scanner was
purchased to assist with the I am Responding App, three mobile chargers have been ordered for the
Star-Com radios so they can be mounted in the units. The COVID-19 vaccination clinics have started
and by the CDC guidelines an ALS ambulance needs to stand by for the possibility of anaphylaxis. Due
to the size of the clinic we have staffed an extra ALS ambulance at these clinics, it will cost the service
an extra $69.10 per hour for the stand by. If a private service was to provide the stand-by coverage it
could range from $150.00 to $250.00 an hour. So far during each Thursday clinics both 911
ambulances have had calls so by staffing an ambulance just for the clinic there was no interruption. The
use of the old ambulance during the clinic has proven to be useful at the insurance checkpoint. The
next scheduled meeting will be held March 3 rd 2021 at 8:30 am. Runs are attached.
Buildings: The Building Committee of Jasper County met on Monday, February 8 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Tom’s Report: The handrail on the north side of the building has been fixed. Barlow Lock & Security
delivered the wire for the camera systems in the courthouse. Tom would like to upgrade to a larger
dumpster for the County Building. It gets full too quickly and it’s only a $15 dollar difference to upgrade
the size. Tom recommends placing a display case at both entrances, front and back. Tom spoke with a
representative from EvapCo who showed interest in assisting with material for the proposed pavilion
project. Projects at the Courthouse Barlow Lock & Security delivered the wire for the camera systems in
the courthouse. The estimate for the work in the Courtroom will be approximately $5,239. Further
discussion regarding the proposed pavilion project was tabled until the March meeting. Projects at the
County Building. The estimate to do the work in the Assessor’s Office will be approximately $5,395.
Steel shelving has been found to use for the records when they are moved into the basement. Display
Case for Agendas It was decided to place a case at the front for handicap accessibility. Outside
Electrical Wiring at Courthouse a request was made for more outside electrical outlets along the
courthouse property to help with the various lighted displays, such as around Christmas time. An
inquiry will be made with the City Electrical Department. Next meeting March 8 th at 7:00 pm.
Finance: The Jasper County Finance Committee met on Monday, February 8 th , 2021. Treasurer’s
Report: Bigard reported the general fund income and the expenses. Fiscal year to date totals are
State/General Fund Income $407,087, Personal property income is $43,718, total income $450,805.
Expenses to date $542,611 with a net loss of $91,805. Bigard is going to check and see why expenses
are up compared to last year. Swick made a motion to approve 6 month reports for Sheriff, Treasurer,
Circuit Clerk, and County Clerk. Bollman seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
County Clerk’s required responsibilities is to attend board meetings. There are currently three evening
committee meetings; County Building (Monday Prior to Board Meeting 7pm), Public Safety (3 rd Monday
of the Month at 6pm) and County Operations (Last Wednesday of the Month 6pm). Warfel approached
the school if they would recommend a student who would be willing to become the board secretary to
take notes at the evening meetings, type the minutes and send to clerk. Templates have been created
for the committees. Abbie Fitzmaurice was recommended and Warfel, Heltsley and Tarr met with Abbie
and went over the requirements. She would be paid out of the county board account for board
secretary. It would be contract work and would be a per diem fee for each meeting. Bollman made a
motion to pay a per diem of $50 per meeting for board secretary. Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion
carried on a voice vote. ASL (Dog House Factory) in Ste. Marie is looking to expand their warehouse.
The property they are building on is not in the enterprise zone (previously residential) nor in a TIFF
zone. Tax abatement for industrial projects is an option as stated in this 1998 County Board
Resolution. Warfel proposed a change in the language of the resolution. The current language in
section four (4) reads as follows: There is hereby created a seven (7) person committee composed of
one representative each from the Jasper County Board, Jasper County Unit School District #1, Jasper
Jobs, Inc. (JJI), Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Newton City Council, Wade Township, and
Wade Fire District, which shall review and approve or deny all applications for tax abatement in Jasper
County. The problem Warfel foresee with this language is you have two entities Newton City Council
and Wade Township which are not taxing bodies of the property in Ste. Maire and you have two others
Jasper Jobs, Inc. and the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce that are not taxing bodies. Initially this
resolution sought to deal with tax abatement in and around the City of Newton. Warfel proposed the
following language: Proposed [Upon written request to consider tax abatement, a Joint Tax Abatement
Committee shall be formed composed of one representative each from the taxing bodies having taxing
authority over the property abatement is sought. The committee shall review and approve or deny the
application for tax abatement of that particular property. This committee shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the County Board with the approval of the County Board.] This proposed language would
allow for moving forward the creation of a committee when a request is received made of the taxing
bodies that are impacted by that specific property. Warfel pointed out that this is a tool that can be used
for any industry that is seeking to construct, expand or rehabilitate a business in Jasper County and in
doing so add economic impact into the community. Heltsley made a motion to take the resolution
authorizing tax abatement to the full board. Fehrenbacher seconded the motion. Motion carried on a
voice vote. The phones for Metro have been delivered but not installed and in service yet. 2020 Cures
Act Grant has been paid to the county. The question of what to do with the money, it is in the General
Fund. Some departments had additional expense due to COVID. There is no time limit on spending the
funds. Next meeting Monday, March 8 th , 2021 at 8:30 am at the County Building
Highway Department: Road and Bridge met February 8 th , 2021 at 7:00 am. Discussion was held again
on the Renewal of the Material Tax Levy being placed on the April 6, 2021 ballot. The committee
recommended bringing up for discussion at County Board for any new discussion about this renewal.
Discussion was held on video surveillance. An estimate was received from Barlow Lock & Security,
Inc., Effingham in the amount of $1985. Ron Swick made a motion and was seconded by A.C. Pickens
to request payment from the Tort Fund. The motion carried on a voice vote. Payment will need Full
Board approval. Bids were received for a new Tandem Cab & Chassis Truck and Dump Bed. County
Engineer recommended all Tandem Axle Truck Bids be rejected and new bids due on March 5 at 10:30
a.m. Committee recommends accepting the Truck Bed Bid submitted by BM Truck Equipment of
Olney, IL with a low bid of $31,930.00. This Truck Bed Bid will need Full Board approval. Foreman’s
mileage for January 2021 was 1,300 miles. The next scheduled meeting will be on March, 8 th 2021 at
7:00am.
Operations: The County Operations Committee of Jasper County met January 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
FOP negotiations with the County start on Friday, January 29th at 6 pm. Next negotiation meeting will
be March 3 rd . Personnel hired from other departments and department cell phone use was discussed.
An economic impact of the proposal will be done by the county. Summary of House Bill 3653. The
committee was given a copy of the UCCI summary of house bill 3653. This bill is the law enforcement
bill. UCCI will hold a zoom meeting regarding the bill on Friday, February 5th. A panel will discuss the
economic impact to Counties. Insurance discuss meeting with department heads. Safety meeting at the
March Operations meeting, Risk Management and all department heads in the county will discuss
safety issues. At the February operations meeting, health insurance will be discussed. The committee
would like to review health insurance plans offered by the health insurance provider. The County
Personnel policy reviewed and revised as needed. County Board Rules revise the committee structure
of the county board has changed and the board rules need updated. Ron Heltsley will make the
revisions to the document. The next monthly meeting will be February 24 th , 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Safety: Public Safety met January 18 th , 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Sheriff made commits about the new
jail project and possible temporary locations for the Sheriff’s office, if new jail is done in one phase.
EMA Director Ed Francis talked about discussions with Building Committee on possibly storing or
constructing a new building to house the EMA vehicles. 911 Director Mike Swick advised the committee
about the boring process of the fiber line from City Hall, to the Fire Station and then to the new jail site.
Mike Ochs will be starting this project as soon as possible. Animal Control Warden Austin Ferguson
advised he had a bid from A-J Welding to build a new cage for his vehicle. The bid was $494.22. The
bid was agreed to by the Public Safety Committee, with claim forward to the County Clerk for payment.
Email Update: the Public Safety Agenda will be sent to Rosie at City Hall for posting. There were no
reports from Coroner or Judicial for the January meeting. Next meeting will be February 15 th , 2021 at
6:00 pm.
Special Committee
Law Enforcement Center Planning Committee: No meeting but Heltsley has spoken to Shannon,
they are meeting in morning to finalize the plans to send out for bids.
Informative
Board of Health- Individuals tested for Covid-19 in testing trailer Oct. – Dec. 3,059 Total / 620 positive
Jan 1,153 Total / 191 positive Covid vaccines given Jan 1,205 Feb. 473 / 36 second doses Holding
weekly vaccine clinics on Thursday from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the bus garage. Report in packet.
Chamber of Commerce- Meeting last Monday talked about summer activities and the Fall Festival will
be held September 11 th .
Economic Development (JEDI) – Amber Volk update with numbers 2020. TIF helped 10 parcels with
$206,000. Enterprise Zone 2 projects saving $33,291. Vista Relief Grant helped 10 local businesses
totaling $15,000. Assisted Newton Rotary with grants to help 4 businesses for $3000. Helped one local
business to get a grant for $8600. Able to create 1 new full-time job and 6 part-time jobs. JEDI held
their annual celebration and recognized Nucor Skyline Steel, LLC as business of the year. They have
32 employees and create annually 10,000 tons of rolled and welded casing producer. March 2 will be
the next meeting. Couple projects; senior living project saving $171,618 being in Enterprise Zone.
AgriTech saving $181,624 with TIF and Enterprise Zone. Creating 11 new full-time jobs.
Swick made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of
County Board January 14, 2021 Minutes, Approval of January and February Standing Committee
Minutes, Approval of ILLINOISouth Tourism as Jasper County’s “State Certified Tourism Bureau, File
County Reports, Allow Claims; Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old business: None
New Business
Warfel explained ASL (Dog House Factory) in Ste. Marie is looking to expand their warehouse. The
property they are building on is not in the enterprise zone (previously residential) nor in a TIFF zone.
Tax abatement for industrial projects is an option as stated in this 1998 County Board Resolution. I
proposed a change in the language of the resolution to the finance committee. The current language in
section four (4) reads as follows: There is hereby created a seven (7) person committee composed of
one representative each from the Jasper County Board, Jasper County Unit School District #1, Jasper
Jobs, Inc. (JJI), Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Newton City Council, Wade Township, and
Wade Fire District, which shall review and approve or deny all applications for tax abatement in Jasper
County. The problem that I foresee with this language is you have two entities Newton City Council and
Wade Township which are not taxing bodies of the property in Ste. Maire and you have two others
Jasper Jobs, Inc. and the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce that are not taxing bodies. Initially this
resolution sought to deal with tax abatement in and around the City of Newton. I propose the following
language: Proposed [Upon written request to consider tax abatement, a Joint Tax Abatement
Committee shall be formed composed of one representative each from the taxing bodies having taxing
authority over the property abatement is sought. The committee shall review and approve or deny the
application for tax abatement of that particular property. This committee shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the County Board with the approval of the County Board.] This proposed language would
allow for moving forward the creation of a committee when a request is received made of the taxing
bodies that are impacted by that specific property. I would also like to point out that this is a tool that
can be used for any industry that is seeking to construct, expand or rehabilitate a business in Jasper
County and in doing so add economic impact into the community.
Leffler made a motion to Adopt Changes to 1998 Resolution Authorizing Tax Abatement within Jasper
County. Weddell seconded the motion. Motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Fehrenbacher,
Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell voting yes. Hickox was
absent.
ASL (Dog House Factory) in Ste. Marie submitted a written request for Tax Abatement in December of
2020. Having revised the resolution for tax abatement I submit the following individuals for appoint to
the Joint Tax Abatement Committee for the purpose of hearing the request from ASL. I will point out
that this committee meets for the sole purpose of hearing that request. Additional request from any
other entity would trigger the formation of a Joint Tax Abatement committee made up of the taxing
bodies that have taxing authority over that property.
Heltsley made a motion to Appointment of Joint Tax Abatement Committee Jack Thompson, Ste. Marie
Village President, David Ochs, Ste. Marie Township Clerk, Andrew Johnson, Jasper County
Community Unit #1 Schools Superintendent, Ryan Hawkins, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges #529
CFO/Treasurer, Galen Mendenhall, Wade Fire Protection District Board Member and Jason Warfel,
Jasper County Board Chairman. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Swick made a motion to approve the estimate from Barlow Lock & Security, Inc. for the amount of
$1,985 for video surveillance for the Highway Department. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion
carried on a voice vote.
Renewal of Material Tax Levy will be on the April 6 ballot. Renewal of the Material Tax is very important
for the county. In 1991 the Material Tax was on the ballot for the first time, this will be the 6 th time on
ballot. The tax is used for materials only. This is not a new tax; it is a renewal. The tax rate has not
increased since 1991.
Miller commented on the County 2021 Tax Schedule to get tax bills out on time. He represents all
elected officials. Initial work is through assessor’s office, addressing value, assessing. Then passing to
County Clerk’s office enter tax levy amounts. Then printing of the tax bills to the treasurer to send them
out. Board of Review is meeting a month behind. Field work in 2020 was delayed some. Pulled field
workers and negations with Power Plant has been started. No indication that tax bills will be late. If late
we would be only pushed back one month. Make public aware, hoping doesn’t happen.
County Board Secretary will be held over until we return from Closed Session.
Board Comments: None
Chairman’s Comments:
The UCCI Annual Conference will be held July 26-27 in Galena. Board members if you are interested
in attending please save those dates and we will make reservations in the upcoming months.
Health Department Covid Vaccine. Please check with the Health Department on eligibility and
