Members of the Jasper County Board held their monthly meeting on February 11th. During the meeting the board members heard several committee reports.
One of the committee reports, Economic Development Committee, was given by committee chairman Bill Weber. Weber commented that they had had two meetings - one on January 19th and the second on February 9th. Weber said that the committee had talked with school officials regarding the budget problems that the district is facing.
He also talked about the Extension budget and how it is being hurt by the lack of state support. He said that Extension is lookng for feedback at a regional meeting which will be held February 26th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Effingham Extension Center. He added that Travis Farley had agreed to serve as the spokesperson.
Board member Everett Miller had attended a meeting concerning the County Extension. He told the board that the State is behind on reimbursements. He also said that the State wants to combine Extension workers to work in four to five counties instead of just one.
Weber also commented that there had been two meetings concerning the comprehensive plan for future goals for the City of Newton. He said that Trisha Borgic Mason with Planning Success along with the U of I Extension is organizing the effort.
In his report, Weber also informed the board that Dr. Saliba's Open House at his new office will be March 11th from 3 to 6 p.m.
Earlier in the meeting Lawrence Pilman, chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee, gave his report. He said that the new weight limit law is in place. An engineering agreement with Connor and Connor for the Ste. Marie Twp. was presented. This is for two bridges and two box culverts south of Ste. Marie. He said that 30 % of the project will be paid by township and 70% by FEMA. By 10-0 vote this was passed. Board members Jerry Kinder and Ron Swick were not present at the meeting.
County Engineer Dick Patterson gave the Solid Waste report. He said that the new truck is getting a hoist. He also told the board that every five years the board has to adopt an ordinance concerning the solid waste ordinance. This was passed 10-0.
Brian Leffler, chairman of the Sheriff Committee, gave the next report. He said the committee had met on January 27th. He said that they were planning to have sealed bids to sell the 2003 Crown Victoria squad car.
He said that they had also talked about having solicitors get permits before they sell in the county. He and Sheriff Ed Francis commented that they had had some 'scams' in the county with solicitors wanting to sell frozen meat, lightning rods, and to cut tree limbs. By 10-0 vote the board approved to adopt the ordinance to have, especially out of county solicitors, get permits.
Dale Haskett gave the Finance Committee report in the absence of committee chairman Jerry Kinder. He said that the six month reports for sheriff's department, circuit clerk and county clerk had been presented. By voice vote the board approved these reports.
Haskett also said that Bill Weber reported on the last 911 meeting and that sketches for a new 911 building had been presented, adding that no cost estimate was given.
Following this report, Haskett, who is chairman of the Building Committee, gave the committee report. He said that the Jury Room has some heat and that they will use an electric heater if they need more heat. He said that the furnaces and elevator had been inspected and had passed the inspections. He also said that Venturing crew from Mattoon will be touring the Courthouse and Jesse will be giving the tour.
Final item in this report was that the north door of the Office Building needs to be repaired. He said that Quality Glass will do the work.
Joe Bierman, chairman of the Ambulance Committee, said that the committee had discussed transporting prisoners. The cost will be deferred until the end of the year.
He also said the committee discussed the generator purchase and the the purchase of a new ambulance. The new ambulance would be approximately $125,000. By voice vote this was approved.
The board also approved to donate an unused stretcher to Lakeland College to EMS classes.
The last item in his report, Bierman said that they had received applications for the part time help.
Mark Smithenry, chairman of the Personnel/Policy committee gave the next report. He said that the committee had met on January 22nd and discussed the personnel policy. He said that the beginning pay scale is no longer in the policy but a free standing document. Longevity bonus was also disuccsed. They commented that this is confusing so will be re-written by the state's attorney.
He said the committee also discussed but made no decision concerning vacation time when someone retires, if that will be pro-rated and also time off if it should be taken half day or full days. The committee and the full board will continue to discuss these issues.
Board Chairman Ed Mitchell informed the board members about four upcoming meetings. These were the following: Post Oaks Flat will have a meeting on wind and solar on February 17th at Parklanes starting at 9 a.m.; the Illinois County Board Association will have their annual meeting at Mt. Vernon on February 20th; UCCI will meet in Springfield February 23-24 with a 5 p.m. reception on February 23rd and an educational seminar on February 24th; and on February 23rd there will be a meeting in Rockford on wind towers.
