White County Board met Sept. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the White County Board begun and holden this 14th day of September 2023 in the Courtroom of the White County Courthouse in the City of Carmi.
Chairman Pigg called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Clerk Heil took roll call with Spencer, Cannon, Usery, and Pigg present. South was absent.
Chairman Pigg led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Pigg stated the first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous board meeting. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion carried 4-0 on roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to approve payments of the County’s bills. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the payments, seconded by Mrs. Cannon. Motion carried 4-0 on roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg asked if any County Officers had anything to report. Clerk Heil stated that only 3 people had picked up petitions. There were 2 County Board seats up for election and precinct committeepersons for each precinct. She also stated that she leaves for the conference on that coming Sunday. The Treasurer, Mike Baxley, stated that tax bills have gone out. He gave his report of funds on hand. Circuit Clerk, Kelly Fulkerson, stated that she was going to get a technology grant and was going to get roughly $43,000 for the grant. Ambulance Director, Adam Allen, stated that he has submitted their report and that they had a pretty big loss. He stated that it was $24,359.22 was the amount and was a continuance of the Medicare/Medicad issue that they were having in the previous month. Mr. Allen stated that he received an email letting him know of the mistake that got made but are working to get it corrected. States Attorney, Denton Aud, stated that Chris Neal’s last day will be on September 15, 2023 and his new Assistant States Attorney first day will be that Monday and will coincide with the start of the Pretrial Services Act that went into effect. He also stated that he is on the States Attorney Appellate Board of Prosecutor board meeting. Sheriff, Jordan Weiss, stated that his office has all the new firearm’s order and that they are back up to full staff. He stated that they hired Ethan Jones to fill the vacancy left by Officer Poole retiring. He also stated that both squad cars that were in the shop were now out. Supervisor of Assessments, Gary Baxley, stated that he got the sales ratio back from the State of Illinois and it does not look good. He stated that it is looking like an equalizer of 9%. Highway Engineer, Brian Ray, did not have anything to report. Mr. Marsh, Coroner, submitted his report in writing.
Visitors: Ryan Ruble, White County Probation, stated that earlier this year the phone system for the County was updated. Mr. Ruble stated that they were left out. He stated that Midwest Telcom reached out to them and with the updated connection the Probation office was kicked out of the Circuit Clerk’s system. He stated that they do not have any access and it is making it more difficult to get the information that they need. He stated that they do not have intercom capabilities with the phone system that they are on now. Mr. Ruble submitted a quote to the Board on what it would cost to hook them to the internet and telephone system. Mr. Ruble stated that after talking to Chairman Pigg that there was some concern with having to pay for this twice if they had to move offices with the possibility of a new courthouse. Midwest Telecom told them that if they did have to move to a new location then there would be no cost. The cost is $7800 to upgrade phone and hooked into the internet. Mr. Ruble said that currently Probation covers the cost of their phone and internet and if they are added to the Counties internet and telephone it would be no additional cost to the County. However, he stated that there is a bill going through the State of Illinois that is going to limit their funds on anything not involving client services. He said that the statute states it is the County’s responsibility to cover that cost. Mr. Aud asked for the bill number so he could review it.
Communications: None
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was the White County Soil & Water Conservation District to request the annual donation of $2,500.00. Chairman Pigg stated that this something that is done every year and Mr. Tomm was in attendance to thank the County Board. Mr. Usery made a motion to approve the donation, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion carried on a 4-0 roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was discussion of 2 properties that have burnt outside Enfield needing to be demolished. Chariman Pigg stated that they got a letter from the Enfield Police Department that 2 houses that have burnt were located outside the city limits and would like for the County to clean them up. Sheriff Weiss stated that one of the homeowners has left. Mr. Spencer stated that the township could clean it up and put a lien against the property. Mr. Aud stated that he would investigate the liability that the County has for this situation.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the approval on an ordinance to pay the final payment to ADG Architecture for the former Carmi Times Building out of the ARPA funds. The amount to be paid is $38,878.00. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried on a 4-0 roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the approval an Ordinance to pay for the final payment to Johannes Construction for the former Carmi Times Building out of the APRA funds. The final amount is $85160.00. Mr. Baxley told the Board that there was an issue with drainage that needs to be addressed. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the ordinance for the final payment, seconded by Mr. Usery. Motion carried on a 4-0 roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the approval of the revised Big River Solar Landscape Plan. Chairman Pigg stated there was a request by individuals for different species of trees and locations. Mr. Ray stated that he has looked over the revised plan and everything has been changed that needed to be done. Mr. Usery made the motion to approve the landscape plan, seconded by Mrs. Cannon. Motion carried on a 4-0 roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to Pam Barbee with Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board to address the County Board. Mrs. Barbee stated that a couple of times a year the board must approve their allocations. She gave the Board a report card for them to look over and informed them about the training that they provide. She also informed the Board of how they handle work experience as well. They can do the training for any age, but typically focus on the ages 21-30. She stated that there is some other training that they offer as well.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was to consider the approval of sick and vacation for the Ambulance Director and effective start date of approval. Mr. Allen stated that he is in a salary position, but also works as an EMT. He stated that all the EMT’s receive sick time and he approached his committee about it. He stated that for him for holding 2 positions if he would be available to get accrue sick and vacation for hours worked on the Ambulance. Circuit Clerk, Kelly Fulkerson, stated that she works over her required hours but does not get to accrue any other time. Mr. Allen stated that he works over 60 hours a week on the Ambulance and if he is off that is finances that are coming away from him. The Board stated that this is a unique situation, and they will try to investigate other counties to see if they ever encounter this problem. Mr. Marsh explained that he was in a similar situation with his full-time court security job and Coroner position, but it was still different. The board decided to table this issue till the next board meeting. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to table the item, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion Carried 4-0 on roll call, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg stated the next item on the agenda was discussion and possible approval from the building committee on payment of necessary steps to move forward to start the process of building a new Courthouse. Chairman Pigg stated that this was discussed in the building committee meeting. It is to do a feasibility study on the site. There was a long list of what would be covered in the cost. Mrs. Cannon made the motion to approve the process, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion Carried 4-0 on roll call, with South counted as absent.
Chairman Pigg asked if anyone had anything for the Executive Session.
Executive Session: None
Other Business: Sheriff Weiss stated that they had the jail inspection the other day. The County passed and the State liked all the improvements that have been made.
Mr. Usery made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Motion carried 4-0 on roll call vote, with South counted as absent.
Other business: Next meeting will be October 17, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
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