East Central Reporter

Jasper County Board met Sept. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Jasper County Board met in regular session on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 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 in silence and the Pledge of Allegiance The following board members were present: Chairman Jason Warfel, Vice-Chairman Ron Heltsley, A.C. Pickens, Doug Weddell, Michael Geier, James Judson, Eric Spiker, and Jessica Schackmann. Austin Francis was absent.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA. There was no objection, the agenda was adopted as distributed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Warfel spoke on behalf of Jennifer Hinterscher and Anthea Zumbahlen from the Jasper County Museum to update the County Board/Community on recent updates including their move to 201 E. Washington Street Newton, IL. Formerly the Museum was located in the back room at the Newton Public Library, more space was needed, and they located an available building. The Museum was originally set up in March 1960 but did not formally open until Summer of 1966. It began with a private collection of Early Americana items, donated by Newton druggists Henry and Frank Schackmann, stored in the empty room behind the library, formerly the Star Movie Theater. In 2000, Friends of the Museum was established, with the aim of increasing understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Jasper County, and to keep an inventory of items, and to update the displays from time to time. In 2022 this group ceased to meet, and the library staff closed the museum doors, as the space was becoming unsafe for visitors. In 2024, Hinterscher and Zumbahlen began planning to move the Museum to a new, stand-alone location, which also freed up more space for the library. They anticipate a Grand Opening this October, which will be their 60th anniversary. They are requesting $5,000 annual donations. The board will take up this item later.

REPORTS:

County Departments:

Ambulance Department - 911 transports 52; Transfers 22; Accidents 9; Refusals 22; Mutual Aid Standby 37

Highway Department – The mowing of the right way has begun ¼ way around the county. The summer oil and chipping for townships, villages and county are complete, including the County’s Pavement Preservation consisting of 21.78 miles and the county building parking lot was completed today.

Health Department – 1102 clients served in August. East end building main phase is mostly complete. Upcoming Flu Clinics will be offered and call for an appointment, walk-ins will be accepted if a nurse is available. October 2nd Cancer Support Bingo at St. Thomas Parish doors open at 5 Bingo starts at 6 pm. Quilt raffle will be the night of the bingo. Cancer Support meeting October 9th 5-6 pm at the West End Event Center there will be a speaker on nutrition. Final tick drag of the season will be completed shortly. The next board of health meeting will be September 22 at 5:30. Weddell commented the building is very nice.

County Positions/Services:

Building Maintenance – There may be an issue with the doors on the new storage building. heater is finished being installed. County building brick work will be inspected to see if it needs tuck pointed. If needed will plan to have it completed over a few years.

Jasper County Courthouse – Almost ready to pass the Illinois EPA waiting for a signature. Chief Judge sent an email referencing minimum court standards to ensure we comply. ADG and Stone & Waggoner met to go over the email, no issues.

Information Technology – Continuing to update computers. Mention of new server to make plans for.

Animal Control – She will be going over some minor issues with the animal control building and fees.

Elected Officials:

Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The total income for August was $789,322.46. The expenses for August were $397,603.06. Total income less expenses for August a net of $391,719.40. Fiscal year 2024/2025 income was $3,414,201.10. Less Expenses were $3,495,910.16 with a net loss of $81,709.06.

Other Elected Officials/Offices –

County Clerk – In Packet

CONSENT AGENDA. The following items were on the consent agenda this evening: Approval of County Board August 21, 2025, Minutes; Reappointment of James Nix as Commissioner of the Sainte Marie Drainage and Levee District [2028]; Reappointment of Donald F. Clark as Commissioner of the Mint Creek Drainage District [2028]; File County Reports; and Allow Claims. There was no objection, the Consent Agenda was adopted.

OLD BUSINESS:

Item A. – Jasper County Flag

The Jasper County Flag was adopted on March 20, 2025. Flags have been received from Judy McClure’s Sign and Graphics, Inc., and Borgic Designs. The County will work with the Chamber of Commerce to have a flag raising ceremony for the new County Flag and get flags to all County Office/Department buildings.

NEW BUSINESS:

Item A. – Approval to Close Non-Emergency County Offices on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, From 8:00 A.M. Until 1:00 P.M. For All County Employee Training. During the period of open enrollment for Health Insurance (beginning October 1st), representatives from the HopeTrust have made themselves available either by hosting a luncheon or visiting individual offices. This year, the plan is to host a half-day training session to review a little more in-depth the County’s Health Insurance, provide mandated Sexual Harassment and Cyber Security Training, review frequently asked questions relating to the Personnel Policy, IMRF & Additional Benefits, and address any additional employee/HR related matters. The plan would be for this to take place on Wednesday, October 15th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with lunch being provided, and offices/departments would reopen at 1:00 p.m. All non-emergency offices would be closed for this period (the board would need to approve). The Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District is willing to let us use the Unit Office (old Sunrise Community Center) for the training session. Any emergency offices/departments that are unable to attend would be offered the chance to watch in real time via Zoom or watch a recording of the presentation. Weddell said employees must be there if not a vacation or personal time would need to be used. Schackmann moved to approve the closing of Non-Emergency County Offices on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 8am until 1pm for all County Employee Training. Geier seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. All Non Emergency County Offices will be closed on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 8am until 1p for an all-County Employee Training.

BOARD COMMENTS: None

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:

Upcoming Meetings

United Counties Council of Illinois Meeting – September 22, 2025 – Springfield, IL SRM (Snedeker Risk Management) Fall Conference – September 24 & 25 – Peoria, IL FY2026 Jasper County Budget Meetings – Thursday, September 25, 2025 Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Regional Meeting – October 2, 2025 – Lawrenceville, IL County All Staff Training – October 15, 2025 from 8am – 1pm

Illinois Association of County Board Members Meeting – October 17, 2025 – Springfield, IL United Counties Council of Illinois Fall Conference – October 24-25, 2025 – Springfield, IL

EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION - The Board does have an executive/closed session to discuss: Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). There will be no action taken following the executive/closed session. Pickens moved for the board to enter an executive session under the following exception: Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12). Spiker seconded the motion. Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Shackmann, Spiker, Warfel and Weddell voted yes with a roll call vote. Francis was absent. The Board entered an Executive Session at 6:17 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: Geier moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm. Schackmann seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.

The Next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sept182025BoardMins.pdf