East Central Reporter

Jasper County Board met Oct. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A special meeting of the Jasper County Board was held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Jasper County Building, Board Room, 204 West Washington Street, Newton, Illinois. The following board members were present: Chairman Jason Warfel, Vice-Chairman Ron Heltsley, A.C. Pickens, Michael Geier, Eric Spiker, Jessica Schackmann and Doug Weddell. Board Members Ben Bollman and James Judson were absent. Chairman Warfel called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a moment of silence and pledge of allegiance.

Public comments: None

Adoption of the agenda. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.

EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION

The board had an executive/closed session to consider the following subject: Personnel. The open session of the meeting was recorded and made available on the county’s website following the meeting.

Spiker moved for the board to enter an executive session under the following exceptions: Personnel (exception 1). Geier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with Geier, Heltsley, Pickens, Schackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell voting yes. Bollman and Judson were absent. The Board entered an Executive Session at 5:03 pm.

The board came out of executive session at 8:15 pm.

ITEM #7 SPECIAL MEETING TOPIC

Following a vacancy in the Ambulance manager position the County of Jasper in August 2022 entered into a management agreement with United Life Care Ambulance Service, Inc. to manage the Jasper County Ambulance Service. This agreement was to remain in place until the County of Jasper found a new manager. Under the terms of that agreement, “the agreement shall expire once the County has found a replacement manager and given notification to Manager.” The County of Jasper on Monday, September 23, 2024, gave notice that it is seeking applicants for the full-time ambulance manager position. An applicant must be a fully licensed paramedic in the State of Illinois; have institutional knowledge of Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) mandates and guidelines in relation to EMS; maintain office hours; and possess a willingness to work with other agencies and attend meetings/trainings outside of normal business hours. Salary for the position will be commensurate with one’s experience, and a final decision will be made by the county board. Interested applicants were asked to submit a resume to by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024. In-person interviews were conducted this evening.

Geier moved to hire Lori Guerrettaz as the interim manager of the Jasper County Ambulance Service. Spiker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. Lori Guerrettaz was hired as the manager of the Jasper County Ambulance Service.

Under the terms of the management agreement with United Life Care Ambulance Service, Inc., “the agreement shall expire once the County has found a replacement manager and given notification to Manager.” A new manager has been hired. Weddell moved to give notification to United Life Care Ambulance Service, Inc. that effective immediately the County of Jasper terminates the management agreement. Heltsley seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. The management agreement with United Life Care Ambulance Service, Inc. will terminate effective immediately.

BOARD COMMENTS

Geier congratulated Lori and thanked the candidates. Weddell thanked the candidates also. Consensus among the board, the candidates were good candidates and made the decision very difficult.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS

Warfel could not have asked for a better group of candidates and so many interested. He hopes they remain interested in the Jasper County Ambulance Service. Warfel thanked United Life Services for turning around the ambulance service and it was to never be a permanent.

Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at 8 pm. Pickens seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned.

The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/October-3-2024-Special-Meeting-Minutes.pdf