East Central Reporter

Jasper County Board met May 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Jasper County Board met on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Jasper County Building, Board Room, 204 West Washington Street, Newton, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by proclamation according to law by Sheriff Francis. Sheriff Francis led a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. The following board members were present: Chairman Jason Warfel, Vice-Chairman Ron Heltsley, A.C. Pickens, Doug Weddelll, Michael Geier, James Judson, Eric Spiker, Jessica Schackmann, and Austin Francis.

Public Comments: None

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

County Departments:

Ambulance Department – 911 Transports 64; Transfers 48; Refusals 27; Discharges 7; Mutual Aid Standby 29; Fire Standby 3. Jasper County Ambulance Service participated in Safety Day, and 4-H Health Rocks at Scott Avenue Church, and Newton Community High School Mock DUI Crash.

Highway Department – We are planning to replace the Solid Waste Truck and one 10-wheeler for County Highway. We will be taking bids in the next couple of months. We are planning on delivery and payment for each of these in the 2026 budget year. The guys will start mowing the county highway right of way before Memorial Day. In November of last year county engineers received information from IDOT regarding an Off System (Local Roads/ Minor Collector Roads) bridge bundling project. This was an IDOT innovative solutions project trying to complete more bridge projects in less time and reduce costs by bundling some bridge projects which were near each other. IDOT had a screening process developed to gather data on bridges with low condition ratings. In January, a GIS screening tool was provided by IDOT and County Engineers were able to answer questions and input information regarding the bridges in their counties which met the requirements for the projects. I received an email on April 24th regarding the selection of 3 (township) bridges for this project. It is expected that preliminary engineering, acquiring of any additional right of way, and construction of the bridges will take place over the next three MYP programming cycles. All items are managed and funded by IDOT through the Off System bridge program and no funding is required by either the county or townships. The 3 bridges selected are as follows: Hunt City Township bridge, 3 miles NE of Hunt City, on N 2175th St. Hunt City Township bridge, 3/4 of a mile West of the Mound Cemetery, on E 1200th Ave. Ste. Marie Township bridge, 1 mile NW of Ste. Marie, on N 1775th St. Indiana railroad will be replacing railroad ties and intersections will be closed as they are replaced.

Health Department – Building update east end of building complete drywall and estimated to be complete by the middle of July. May 28th will be the Health Fair at the West End Event Center from 10 am – 1 pm. There will be around thirty vendors. Food will be available for purchase with proceeds going to the Jasper County Support Group. A safe sitter program will be offered May 29th for students who are entering the 6th through 8th grade coming this fall. June 7th Cancer Support Rally 11 am – 1 pm. June 10 will be the next Cancer Support Group meeting 5-6 pm at the Health Department. The next meeting will be on June 2nd at 5:30.

County Positions/Services:

Building Maintenance – Pickens spoke with Jared Wagner the first part of the month. He said he would be out of the county storage building in a few days. Pickens got the key this past Tuesday. Schackmann Insulation is responsible for moving the semi-trailer. Dustin Schackmann is getting it moved.

Jasper County Courthouse – 3D image was presented the color of the image is not what it will be, but the design will be looking from Washington Street. The next phase will be to go out for bids.

Information Technology Consultant – John Maguire from Magoo & Associates spoke on the transition, 138 tickets have been made during this transition.

Animal Control – An inspection was completed by the state of the facility and everything was in compliance. The auditor has brought it to the attention that it is not clearly stated in the animal control contract that the position is contractual, so the state’s attorney will revise the contract, and it will be presented to the board at the next meeting.

Elected Officials:

Elected Officials

Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for April was $253,725.13. The expenses for April were $389,338.08. Total income less expenses for April a net loss of $135,612.95. Year to Date income was $1,343,770.36. Less Expenses were $1,817,417.47 with a net loss of $473,647.11.

Other Elected Officials/Offices- Francis clarified one of the bills was not billed for a month but 2 months on this bill.

Consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening Approval of County Board April 17, 2025 Minutes; Adoption of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 18-24 Proclamation; Appointment of Jerry Rubsam as a Trustee of Wade Comm. Fire Prot. Dist. 3-Year Term; Appointment of Mindy Hartke to the Downstate Illinois Tourism Board (unexpired term); Appointment of Jason Warfel to the Downstate Illinois Tourism Board (unexpired term); File County Reports and Allow Claims. There was no objection, the Consent Agenda was adopted.

Old Business:

Item A. – Jasper County Flag

An official Jasper County Flag was adopted at the March 20, 2025, meeting. Flag production quotes were emailed to the board members today. Board members review the quotes and decide at the June meeting.

New Business:

Item A. – Approval of Pay Estimate #1 For County Building South Entrance ADA Improvements Project

Attached in the Board Packet for the County Board’s consideration is Pay Estimate #1 for the ADA Improvements Project on the South Entrance of the County Building. Total of the Pay Estimate is $86,683.89 ($9,952.11 increase over original bid). The pay estimate reflects additional handrail around the west side of the entryway area, extra rock needed for backfill under the new parking area, and some extra time for adjustments made to the entryway landing area and steps (shown as miscellaneous extras $3,030). The entryway area was enlarged to balance out the look on both sides of the doorway, also one of the steps leading up from the sidewalk was eliminated. Once the contractor had things dug out and formed up, it was decided that the bottom step was going to be too deep in the ground, and it was changed to two steps. The contractor had some time and backfill in making that change. Original Bid $76,731.78 and Total Pay Estimate $86,683.89. The total increase of the Pay Estimate is $9,952.11. Pickens moved to approve Pay Estimate #1 for the County Building South Entrance ADA Improvements Project. Spiker seconded the motion. Judson was not happy with how it turned out. The door opens towards the ramp. Judson would like to see someone besides the engineer to make sure everything is compliant. Pickens made a motion to recess the meeting to go out to the parking lot to look at it. Judson seconded the motion. The meeting was reconvened. Pickens said we are going to have to pay. Discussion about what percentage the grant will pay for the project. Motion carried on a voice vote. The Pay Estimate has been approved.

Item B. – Approval to Extend New Parking Pavement in County Building Parking Lot to the East Edge

A quote has been obtained to extend the new parking pavement to the east edge of the parking lot at the County Building, South Parking Lot. Based on the bid prices, the extra pavement would come out to around $11,000. Board input is sought on the proposal. Postponed until the next meeting for John Stone to come to the next meeting and to discuss.

Board Comments: Since this month is appreciation of sheriff, police, EMS, fire, and EMA Geier appreciates and is proud of their service. Francis informed everyone Friday Wade Community Fire Department will be having a pork burger sale at the KC Hall 10:30 until sold out. Also, it is planting season, so everyone needs to watch out, pay attention and keep an eye out for everyone.

Chairman’s Comments: Non-Emergency Jasper County Offices and Departments will be closed on Monday, May 26th and Thursday, June 19th, in observance of Memorial Day and Juneteenth. The June County Board Meeting will be on Thursday, June 19th. 5 ILCS 120/2.01 “Open Meetings Act” states that, “No meeting required by this Act to be public shall be held on a legal holiday unless the regular meeting day falls on that holiday.” The regular meeting of the Jasper County Board falls on that day.

Illinois Secretary of State Moblie DMV was in the county yesterday at the Jasper County Senior Center and will be continuing to come to the county. Real id is now required to fly. Wedell went and was able to get his complete his Real I.D. in 15 minutes.

Congratulations to all our Jasper County graduates! Your hard work and dedication have paid off. Best wishes for your future endeavors and the exciting new chapters ahead.

Where does $1 of Property Tax Go in Jasper County

City/Village Residents pay the same Property Tax Rate per Taxing Body as County (non-city/village) Residents. The addition of the municipal tax changes the rate per dollar a resident residing in a city/village pays. This results in a municipal resident paying more in property tax per assessed value. Taxes will be going out in the next couple of months, and the county is responsible for compiling the taxes, sending them, and collecting them. We are one of the taxing bodies.

Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Coffee & Conversation: Mayor & Chair - Each month, the Chamber will be bringing you a chat with County Board Chairman, Jason Warfel, and Mayor of Newton, Josh Kuhl. The first installment was filmed and shared in the final week of April and can be found on YouTube by typing in Mayor&Chair Jasper County. If you have questions for the Chairman, Mayor, or both, please email them to mayorandchair@gmail.com

The Indiana Rail Road Company – On Track Together - On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, The Indiana Rail Road Company hosted local leaders and community partners at the Palestine Yard in Palestine, Illinois, as part of their On Track Together engagement series. This event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and discuss future partnerships that support both the region’s economic development and the well-being of our communities. Thanks to Joe, Shae, LeDune, and the rest of the Indiana Rail Road Staff for their hospitality.

Warfel received a letter from Tom Brown. After 24 years of service on the South-Central Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission, Tom feels it is time to step down. Warfel thanked Tom for his dedicated service during the past 24 years. The South Central Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission (SCIRPDC) was established under the Illinois Planning Act by the join resolution of the Effingham, Fayette, and Marion County Boards. Later the neighboring counties of Clay and Jasper joined. The regional organization functions at the pleasure of local governments within its rural five-county service jurisdiction and has traditionally provided the area’s public and private sector leadership with more affordable, locally accessible forms of: Economic Research, Planning Assistance, Grant Services, Financial Services, and Human Servies Transportation Planning. He has spoken to an induvial and hopefully next month will have an appointment to make.

The board did not have an executive session.

Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm. Schackmann seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.

The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/May-15-2025-Jasper-County-Board-Minutes.pdf