White County Board met Sept. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the White County Board begun and holden this 11th day of September, 2018 in the Courtroom of the White County Courthouse.
Chairman Dosher called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Clerk Dozier called the roll with McAnulty, Usery, Puckett and Dosher all present and Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher asked Clerk Dozier to lead us in the pledge of allegiance and he asked the audience to remain standing for a moment of silence to honor all the victims of 9-1-1 and our military and all individuals that have suffered since the September 11th attack.
Chairman Dosher asked the Board if they had any additions, changes or deletions to the minutes of the previous meetings, August 14th and August 29th. Mr. Usery made a motion to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and approve the minutes of both of the previous meetings as proposed in writing. Motion seconded McAnulty. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher asked for a motion to pay all current bills. Mr. McAnulty made a motion to pay all current bills, seconded by Usery. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher asked for reports from County Officers:
Mr. Denton Aud, State’s Attorney, said he usually doesn’t give many figures or statistics but he has to commend his staff because last year they filed 226 felony cases that is more than has been filed since 1996. He said that there were 178 misdemeanors filed that year and his office is on track to file over 277 felonies for 2018. Mr. Aud stated that this was almost double of those filed by the surrounding counties of Edwards, Hamilton, and Gallatin. Chairman Dosher stated that he didn’t want to give the public the idea that White County was more deviate that the other counties, it is just that White County has more population than those other county’s combined.
Mr. Brian Ray stated that oil and chipping will begin for the season. He also wanted to let the Board know that the rural reference signs are in and they have slowly begun putting those signs up in Carmi Township and are moving west. Adam Allen said the ambulance service is willing to help in any way they can because the signs help them tremendously.
Mr. Adam Allen, Director of the White County Ambulance Service, stated that they had a significant loss this month because a cot payment was due in the amount of $34,000.00. The loss for the month was $24,090.99 but, there is still a positive balance of around $30,000.00 in the bank.
Mr. Doug Maier, White County Sheriff, stated that he had submitted his report in writing.
Mrs. Pam Armstrong, Treasurer, stated that the first disbursement had been mailed to the taxing districts and her office was extremely busy collecting taxes because the first payment due date is September 17th.
Mrs. Julie Irwin, 9-1-1 Coordinator stated that the next 9-1-1 meeting would be held on Monday, September 17th at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Chris Marsh, Coroner, stated that he had submitted his report in writing.
Chairman Dosher stated that there is nothing to report from Emergency Management.
Chairman Dosher stated that he had received notification that a company by the name of Prairie Research will be in the area doing a study. Mr. Brian Ray stated that this company would be doing a study of elevation and hydraulics in flood prone areas around Elliott Creek and the Crossville area.
Chairman Dosher stated that the first item on the agenda was to consider a surrender fee at the dog pound. Chairman Dosher turned the floor over to Wayne Spicer, Animal Control Officer. Mr. Spicer stated that most pounds have a surrender fee between $35.00 and $50.00. The Board asked what is a surrender fee? Mr. Spicer explained that a surrender fee would be charged when someone turned over a dog to the pound that they no longer wanted to care for and at the time of surrender the individual would have to pay a fee to do so. The Board ask if the counties around us charged a fee and Mr. Spicer replied that most all of them do charge a fee. Mr. Puckett made a motion to implement a $50.00 surrender fee for the dog pound. Motion seconded by Usery. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher stated the next item was to consider air conditioning for the County’s side of the dog pound. Mr. Spicer stated that the pound was too hot to keep the dogs inside and he was still running six fans. The Board asked about the outside runs and he stated that he was running fans outside but when the runs were full he had to house some dogs on the inside. He stated that the State statutes address the temperature that the dogs must be kept at and the pound is way too warm. Mr. Spicer stated that he had a letter from Alex and Amber Carney that they would buy a $110.00 air conditioner for the pound. Chairman Dosher stated that this letter says nothing about their intent to pay the electric bill in the summer. Mr. McAnulty made a motion to table action on this air conditioning unit until such time everything was put in writing. Mr. Usery seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher stated that he had spoken with Brent Edwards of O’Daniel Trucking Company and that he had submitted a quote for repaving the area between the back of the jail and the annex. Mr. Dosher stated that O’Daniel would remove the asphalt , put down a rock base, asphalt over the base, remove and install rails and parking stops and paint the stripes for $19,935.00 for 2” asphalt. However if the Board preferred 3” asphalt it would cost an addition $5640.00. Mr. McAnulty made a motion to have O’Daniel perform the removal and replacement of the asphalt between the jail and the annex and do so with 3 inches of asphalt in the amount of $25,575.00. Motion seconded by Usery. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent
Chairman Dosher stated that the next item on the agenda was the Soil and Water Conservation District represented by Jewel Brooks. Ms. Brooks thanked the Board for their continued support. Chairman Dosher asked how their funding had been affected. Ms. Brooks stated that in 2015 the government had not funded them at all and they were still trying to recover. She stated that she was able to bring back a staff member this year in a part time status. Chairman Dosher stated that the Board usually contributes $2,500.00 to the Soil and Water Conservation District. Mr. Usery stated that the $2,500.00 was built in the current budget and he would make the motion to give that amount to the White County Soil and Water Conservation District. Motion seconded by Puckett. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote.
Chairman Dosher stated that the next item on the agenda was to consider a resolution that would direct the sales tax monies collected from the public safety tax to be used for an ambulance service only. Mr. Denton Aud stated that he thought that was over kill and that would prohibit the monies from being used any place else such as the jail. He said the Board is always talking about the jail needing funds and they shouldn’t limit themselves to what it should be spent for. Chairman Dosher also stated that most voters would like to see this resolution passed before they vote on the referendum on November 6th. Chairman Dosher stated that he didn’t feel that there would be an abundance of funds after trying to bring the ambulance service back to an ALS service, but he guessed that if there was an abundance the Board to come back and amend the resolution to include other areas. The resolution is as follows:
Mr. Usery made a motion to have the State’s Attorney to draft a resolution to direct all monies from the public safety tax to be used solely for an ambulance service. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION REGARD PUBLIC SAFETY TAX REFERENDUM
WHEREAS, the White County Board previously passed a resolution on May 8, 2018 that submits a proposition to the voters at the November 6, 2018 General Election regarding the imposition of a public safety tax at the rate of 0.50% upon all persons engaged in the business of the selling tangible personal property at retail with said tax to be used for public safety purposes as provided at 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the White County Board that any tax revenue collected from a public safety tax imposed pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5, if said referendum passes at the November 6, 2018 General Election, be used solely for ambulance purposes;
WHEREAS, the White County Board is tasked with the management of county funds;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the White County Board hereby declares that if the Public Safety Referendum passes in the affirmative at the November 6, 2018 General Election, any tax revenue generated from said Public Safety Tax will be used solely for ambulance purposes until and unless otherwise determined.
Approved this 11th day of September, 2018 Members Present: Four
Dosher: Aye McAnulty: Aye Usery: Aye Puckett: Aye Trout: Absent
ADOPTED this 11th day of September, 2018
ATTEST: Paula Dozier
White County Clerk
Motion seconded by Puckett. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
Mr. Mark Kelly, agent of record for the County’s dental insurance, stated that the premium for the County’s dental, vision and life insurance would remain the same. He stated that he had a new product that he would like to introduce to the County but the presentation would take 35 or 40 minutes and he would like to meet with the Board when they had time. Chairman Dosher stated that after the meeting they could speak with Mr. McAnulty and set up a date and time to discuss the product with the insurance committee and they could report back to the full Board.
Chairman Dosher stated that the next item on the agenda was to consider borrowing $150,000.00 for the ambulance service to bring paramedics back and upgrade the service to ALS before the November 6th election. Chairman Dosher stated that we definitely need to have some discussion. He stated that he hated to start borrowing money. Mr. Puckett and Mr. Usery stated, how can we put a price on saving lives. Chairman Dosher asked if paramedics would return to work for the County since the election was more than six weeks away? Mr. Allen stated that he had some people interested in putting themselves back on the schedule just to help the service out. Mr. Doug Hays, a City Councilman, asked the Board to lead by example. He stated if you are asking the public to pass a sales tax then borrow the money. Have faith in the voter’s that they will be in support of the Board and the Ambulance Service by passing the sales tax. Chairman Dosher stated that he thought that Mr. Hays was correct and yes they needed to lead by example. Mr. Usery made a motion to borrow $150,000.00 which would allow the ambulance service to operate until the end of the year. Motion seconded by Puckett. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
Chairman Dosher stated that the next item on the agenda was to consider the renewal of the Hope Trust. Mr. Ray Diel representative of the Hope Trust stated that the renewal submitted for Hope 2500 plan which is what the County currently has for coverage will be increased by a 9.96% for the coming calendar year. He stated that there are other plans that the county can consider but open enrollment is in October for new members wishing to add to or change their enrollment. The Board stated that they would like to look at other avenues and Mr. Diel stated that was always an option. Chairman Dosher suggested that they also meet with the insurance committee and they could bring recommendations back to the Board.
Chairman Dosher stated that the solar application had been completed by State’s Attorney Denton Aud and was currently posted on the web site. He stated that the application along with a nonrefundable check was to be submitted to the County Clerk’s Office. The Clerk would turn over funds to be deposited in the General Fund under miscellaneous income and then the solar committee would be notified. Terry Abell, Supervisor of Assessments stated that the Department of Revenue has finalized the guidelines on assessing the solar project and before a permit can be approved a survey must be completed of the territory and a metes and bound legal description must be provided for the area. Chairman Dosher stated that along with Supervisor of Assessments, 9-1-1 must be notified and also the Highway Engineer. He said that Ranger Power is in the process of submitting an application for a solar permit. That project would be the guinea pig for the County since we have never dealt with this area before.
Chairman Dosher stated that the next meeting would be October 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom.
Mr. Usery made a motion to recess this meeting until November 13th for purpose of adopting the appropriation ordinance and tax levy. Motion seconded by Puckett. Motion passed 4-0-1 on roll call vote with Trout recorded as absent.
http://www.whitecounty-il.gov/Data/Sites/1/countyboard/09-11-2018-board-meeting.pdf
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