Jasper County Illinois Board February 9, 2017
The County Board of Jasper County met in regular session on Thursday, February 9, 2017. The meeting was held in the
Board Room, Jasper County Office Building in Newton. Members present were Michl, Fehrenbacher, Kerner, Leffler,
Heltsley, Weddell, Swick, Hall, Warfel, Hickox, Smithenry and Pickens. Also present was Clinton Bigard, Jamie Blake,
Daniel Alzate, Rick Britton and Linda Huth. The meeting was called to order by Proclamation according to law by Sheriff
Britton. The board observed a moment of silence. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sheriff Britton.
The Chairman asked for Public Comments. There were none. Swick moved to approve the agenda. Hickox seconded the
motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Committee Reports:
The Road and Bridge Committee met on February 3. Several township road commissioners were present to show their
support in sharing a County Highway Engineer with Cumberland County.
There was no Solid Waste Committee meeting.
The Sheriff's Committee met on January 25. There has been two part time dispatchers hired. The Sheriff is working on a
grant for safety vest replacement for the department. It could pay fifty percent of the $7,000 cost. There is an intern from
Olney Central College riding with some of the deputies. The new doors are installed. The salary for Court Security
employees has been increased $2 per hour. The Sheriff and some of the deputies will attend some trainings in March. The
new guns have been purchased. The cost was $159 per gun with trade in. The deputies will be given a chance to
purchases their guns. The new car is in. The light bar was ordered and arrived in the wrong color, so it is being returned.
There is a need to replace the phone system at the.jail.
The Finance Committee met on February 6. The Treasurer has researched obtaining the sales tax information for the
townships, etc. The Treasurer has contacted Dev Net to enable the taxpayers to pay their real estate taxes with debit and
credit cards. The current contract with Dev Net will have to be amended. The Treasurer wants to speed up the tax cycle as
he feels rushed to get his part completed. The committee discussed the bank securities with two representatives from the
Dieterich Bank. They also discussed file cabinet purchase for the County Clerk's office and a replacement phone line at
the jail. The committee approved the six month reports for the County Offices.
The Building Committee met on February 2. It was decided to purchase a new dehumidifier for the County Office Building
from Steve Jones Hardware at a cost of $272.31. The heat in the Courthouse was discussed. The lights on the flag poles
at the Courthouse will be replaced. The insulating of the wall in the Supervisor of Assessment's Office was tabled until the
March meeting.
The Ambulance Committee met on February 1. Kyle Shell addressed the committee with different trainings the IMPG has to
offer the County. The committee is taking bids on the parking lot until February 24. One paramedic has resigned. There is
some slight damage to two ambulances from small accidents.
The Animal Control Committee met on January 21. The mileage driven is down from earlier years. The Animal Control
Officer was encouraged to train someone to give him some time off. It was suggested he purchase a tape recorder to use
on the job.
The Health Department report is in the Board packet.
The Treasurer reported on the General Fund balance which is up $300,000 from this time last year. The Treasurer
reported on the recent Worker's Compensation Audit and discussed the Letters of Credit for the securities for County
Funds.
Leffler moved to approve the County Clerk's monthly report. Smithenry seconded the motion. The motion carried on a
voice vote.
There was no old business
New Business:
Fehrenbacher moved to allow the Peoples State Bank and the Dieterich Bank to replace the County's public deposits from
the current pledged securities to a public unit of deposit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank, to be reviewed by the
bank on a quarterly basis. Hall seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Swick moved to approve the purchase of 5 file cabinets for the County Clerk's Office at a cost of $2845. Fehrenbacher
seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Leffler moved to replace the current phone system in the jail at a cost of $6942.20 to be paid from the Jail Phone Line.
Kerner seconded the motion. The motion carried on a roll call vote with all members voting yes.
Fehrenbacher moved to approve the six month reports of the County Offices. Warfel seconded the motion. The motion
carried on a voice vote.
Smithenry moved to approve the purchase and installation of two electric heaters in the Courthouse lobby at a cost
of$2161.31 for both heaters. Michl seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Kerner moved to approve the resolution approving funds for the salary of the County Engineer in the amount of $5,345,
Motor Fuel Tax money. Smithenry seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote
Weddell moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Swick seconded the motion. The motion carried on a
voice vote.
County Board Comments:
Weddell discussed the possibility of an email server for County Board use. Technical Partners from Effingham quoted the
cost at $119 per year for the server account that could be set up for up to 1,000 emails. If the county would take a five year
plan, it saves $20 per year. The board directed Weddell bring this to the Finance Committee. Heltsley discussed the
possible County Board guideline document and would like to have this on the agenda next month. Hall commented he liked
the new accounts payable software and the printouts for the claims.
Chairman's Comments:
Lynn Brown with the Veteran's Administration donated a new American Flag to the County Office Building. The Board
received a Thank You card from the Donald Long Family. The City of Newton and the County will be researching an off
road ordinance for use out in the County and in the City limits. A meeting for the public and township road commissioners
will be scheduled soon.
Swick moved to enter closed session regarding personnel at 8:02 pm. Kerner seconded the motion. The motion carried on
a roll call vote with all members voting yes. The board returned to open session at 9 pm. No action will be taken regarding
the County Highway Engineer position.
Kerner moved to allow the claims. Hickox seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 9:05 pm. Smithenry seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Linda Huth, Jasper County Clerk