March 9th, 2004

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, March 9th, 2004 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, March 9th, 2004 in the County Board Chambers of the Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by County Board Chairman Mike Havera. Roll call was taken, 21 members present, 0 absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Mike Havera, Dave Heaton, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott. Members Absent: No members absent. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Aumann, second by Horn to approve the mileage and per diem. All in favor, motion carried. Approval of Minutes of Previous County Board Meeting: Motion by Painter, second by Myers to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, February 10th, 2004. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – submitted. 2. County Treasurer’s Report – Ron Jenkins was present for questions and stated that the County Surplus Property Auction will be held March 31st, 2004 at 4:30 PM in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse. Jenkins reported that there are 17 new properties on the list and catalogs are available in the Treasurer’s Office. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions and reported that the Election Judge training held March 4th, 2004 went well, and she invited members to a demonstration of the Optical Scan ballot system after the meeting. 4. Sheriff’s Report – submitted. 5. Health Department Report – submitted. 6. T.B. Department Report – submitted. 7. Public Defender’s Report – submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – submitted. 9. 911 Report – submitted. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Myers, second by Bone to approve the 9 office reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: Road & Bridge Tour Update: Branum reported that there will be a road and bridge tour on Wednesday, March 31st, 2004 at 8:00 AM, with members meeting at the Highway Department. Approval for Repairs of Cat End Loader: Branum stated that the Cat end loader is in need of repair, and an estimate of the repair was received from Altorfer for $21,790.00. Motion by Branum, second by Painter to approve the needed repairs to the Cat end loader for $21,790.00. All in favor, motion carried. Equipment Repair and Purchase Update: Branum stated that the committee approved the purchases of a leaf blower for $180.00 and for a hydraulic jack in the amount of $300.00. IDOT Road & Bridge Annual Audit Report Approval: Branum reported that the IDOT Road and Bridge Annual Audit report should be on file at the County Clerk’s office for public review. Motion by Branum, second by Durbin to place the IDOT Road and Bridge Annual Audit report on file. All in favor, motion carried. Resolution #01-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $4,500.00 for 993 B-CA, Location A, C.H. #18 (Witt Avenue)(Sec. 5), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($4,500.00). Motion by Durbin, second by Branum. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 235-236). Resolution #02-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,500.00 for 993 B-CA, Location B, C.H. #5 (Irving Road)(Sec.15), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($3,500.00). Motion by Komor, second by Hampton. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 237-238). Resolution #03-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $4,000.00 for 994 B-CA, Location A, C.H. #7 (Nokomis Road)(Sec.26), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($4,000.00). Motion by Aumann, second by Branum. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 239-240). Resolution #04-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $2,500.00 for 994 B-CA, Location B, C.H. #6 (Witt North)(Sec.30), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($2,500.00). Motion by Downs, second by Bone. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 241-242). Resolution #05-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $2,500.00 for 994 B-CA, Location C, C.H. #6 (Witt North)(Sec.29), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($2,500.00). Motion by Horn, second by Durbin. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 243-244). Resolution #06-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $6,500.00 for 994 B-CA, Location D, C.H. #6 (Witt North)(Sec.31), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($6,500.00). Motion by Painter, second by Jagodzinski. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 245-246). Resolution #07-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,000.00 for 995 B-CA, Location A, C.H. #20 (Ohlman Road)(Sec.5), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($3,000.00). Motion by Petty, second by Aumann. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 247-248). Resolution #08-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $2,500.00 for 995 B-CA, Location B, C.H. #20 (Ohlman Road)(Sec 20), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($2,500.00). Motion by Petty, second by Jackson. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 249-250). Resolution #09-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,000.00 for 996 B-CA, Location A, C.H. #6 (Witt Trail)(Sec 20), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($3,000.00). Motion by Durbin, second by Hampton. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 251-252). Resolution #10-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,500.00 for 996 B-CA, Location B, C.H. #6 (Witt Trail)(Sec 20), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($3,500.00). Motion by Painter, second by Branum. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 253-254). Resolution #11-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,000.00 for 997 B-CA, Location A, C.H. #3 (Black Diamond Trail)(Sec 7), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($3,000.00) Motion by Ogden, second by Horn. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 255-256). Resolution #12-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $4,000.00 for 997 B-CA, Location B, C.H. #3 (Black Diamond Trail)(Sec 7), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($4,000.00). Motion by Heaton, second by Hampton. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 257-258). Resolution #13-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $2,500.00 for 997 B-CA, Location C, C.H. #3 (Black Diamond Trail)(Sec19), Montgomery County, 100% County Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 1.0 ($2,500.00). Motion by Heaton, second by Ogden. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 259-260). Resolution #14-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $13,000.00 for 998 B-CA, (S. Pine Street)(Sec.22), Village of Irving/Montgomery County, 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = 0.5 ($6,500.00). Motion by Blankenship, second by Durbin. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 261-262). Resolution #15-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $8,000.00 for 999 B-CA, (Sec. 15)(W Franklin Street); Nokomis R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = .5 ($4,000.00). Motion by Petty, second by Aumann. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 263-264). Resolution #16-04: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $5,000.00 for 1000 B-CA, (Sec. 1)(N 23rd Avenue); Rountree R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = .5 ($2,500.00). Motion by Petty, second by Blankenship. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 265-266). PUBLIC COMMENTS AT CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION: Chairman Havera recognized Gary Miller of Miller’s Trucking, Fillmore, Illinois, who asked if it is true that trucks over 30,000 lbs. can not travel on county roads between the months of January to March, referring to the Nokomis/Fillmore Blacktop. Havera referred the inquiry to Engineer McNeal, who explained that this requirement is in place due to a law that has been in effect for some forty to fifty years. The Illinois Road and Bridge laws give counties the right to put a weight limit on county roads for three months out of the year. McNeal explained that due to the ground freezing and thawing in these months the ground under the county roads is not stable enough to maintain the degree of weight that some trucks carry and will break down the pavement faster than if they were restricted to a weight limit. Miller stated that he has contracts with vendors who need their product delivered in a timely fashion, and this county requirement negatively affects his business. Chairman Havera thanked Miller for attending the meeting, and referred further review of his concerns to the Road and Bridge Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: County Audit Approval: Sielschott referred members to County Auditor Whitey Patton, who presented the audit of the Circuit Clerk’s office and the County Audit for FY 2003 and reviewed the revenue and expenses of the General Fund. Patton stated that overall the county did well this past year, considering the rising deficits, but warned that this deficit will continue to grow unless measures are taken immediately to either increase revenue or decrease expenses. He commended the departments that have cut costs and raised fees, but also informed members that because Jail and Courthouse Complex bonds are paid the maintenance expense for those buildings will go into the General Fund, which will increase overall expenses. Patton also stated that Health insurance and Property Casualty expenses are up and can not be controlled. Patton stated that revenues will remain level but expenses will continue to grow, and the only option now is to increase revenue by the passage of the Montgomery County Public Safety Sales Tax Question to be voted on at the March 16th, 2004 Primary Election. Motion by Sielschott, second by Plunkett to accept the audit of the Circuit Clerk’s office and the County Audit for Fiscal Year 2003 as presented by auditor Whitey Patton. All in favor, motion carried. County Trustee’s 5-Year Contract Approval: Sielschott reported that trustee Dennis Ballinger will attend the next Finance Committee meeting to discuss a few changes to his five-year contract. Harris Financial Contract Approval: Sielschott reported that Manatron has sold their financial package contract to Harris Financial. The software upgrade will cost $3,200.00 plus $600.00 for travel related expenses, at $3,800.00 total. Motion by Sielschott, second by Downs to accept the Harris Financial software upgrade for $3,800.00. All in favor, motion carried. Public Safety Sales Tax Resolution #04-09: Sielschott presented the Montgomery County Board Resolution Pledging Corporate General Fund Levy Reduction for Five Years If Public Safety Sales Tax Passes at 3/16/2004 General Primary Election, and stated that the Public Safety Sales Tax Question on the March 16th, 2004 Primary Election ballot will not increase property taxes, but will add a one-half of a cent sales tax increase to qualifying merchandise purchased in the county. Sielschott stated that if the Public Safety Sales Tax Question passes, the board pledges to reduce the Corporate Fund levy by $200,000 per year for next five years for an approximate total reduction of $1,000,000. The levy is currently at $635,000, and this pledge would reduce it to $435,000 and freeze it there until 2010. If the sales tax question does not pass, the board will have no other choice but to cut jobs across the board. Motion by Sielschott, second by Painter to approve the Public Safety Sales Tax Resolution to reduce the levy by $200,000 for the next five years. 21 members unanimously voted Yes, with none opposed. All in favor by roll call vote, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 267). HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: Elections Training Update: Durbin stated that Election Judge training was held March 4th, 2004 at the CES Extension Office, with a good response. Animal Control Update: Durbin stated that an Animal Control letter and survey was sent out to all municipalities to gather information about what each community is doing to help with animal control. HB 2735: Durbin reported that the Governor has signed HB 2735, which will reimburse the county $25.00 for each election judge serving in the March Primary Election. ICRMT Letter: Durbin read a letter from ICRMT regarding less dependency on re-insurance companies. UCCI Conference: Durbin reported that the UCCI Conference in Springfield went well, and Member Nelson Aumann commented he had attended the conference and thought it was very informative. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: F.O.P. Union Contract Update: Downs stated that no arbitration date has been set as of yet. Prisoner Medical Expenses: Downs stated that the Committee is researching methods of cutting prisoner prescription drug costs. Health Insurance: Downs stated that Steve Spinner from Consociate Care Group addressed the committee regarding employee health insurance, and the committee was encouraged to learn that savings from Fiscal Year 2003 were approximately $180,000. Meeting Date Change: The next Personnel Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 25th, 2004 will instead be held on Friday, March 26th, 2004 at 8:30 AM in the County Board room of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: County Farm Update: Painter stated that Jason Anderson was at the last Buildings and Grounds meeting and gave an update to the committee on the County Farm. Johnson Controls Contract Renewal: Painter stated that the committee reviewed the service agreement from Johnson Controls for the Air Conditioning and Heating system at the New Courthouse. Motion by Painter, second by Myers to accept the Johnson Controls Service Agreement for one year in the amount of $4,020.00. All in favor, motion carried. A/C Unit in Basement: Painter stated that the committee discussed putting a low ambient air conditioning unit in the basement office of the Historic Courthouse where old documents, films and videos are stored, and the committee reviewed two proposals. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: February Ambulance Call Report: A summary of monthly operations for February 2004 will be read at the next full board meeting. Jagodzinski stated that some ambulance services have not been getting their monthly reports in to the ESDA/Ambulance Office on time and that office will follow up with a letter to the ambulance services regarding this matter. Director Holmes Report: Jagodzinski reported that some late bills have been turned over to small claims. There have been problems with the hot water heater at the ESDA office and maintenance will be checking on the problem. Jagodzinski stated that Bill Gonet, Bonnie Branum and Amy McNeal will be working with Director Holmes on a contingency plan for Disaster Debris Management. Holmes will be facilitating a meeting on Thursday, March 4th, 2004 from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM in the County Board room concerning the procedures used to transport mental health patients, and has area Health Care Providers, Law Enforcement, Montgomery County Health Department and representatives from McFarland Health Care scheduled to attend. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: CCI Program: Plunkett reported that three town meetings have been scheduled throughout the county to discuss the Competitive Communities Initiative. There will be a meeting on March 15th in Taylor Springs, March 17th in Waggoner and March 18th in Nokomis, with the primary purpose of these meetings to receive input and ideas from municipalities in the county about needs and concerns that the CCI program can address. Public Safety Sales Tax Support Resolution #04-10: Plunkett stated that the committee is in full support of the Public Safety Sales Tax referenda, due to the benefit it would give business owners by shifting the tax burden from property tax to sales tax, which is paid by all who purchase qualifying products, and not just the property owner. Plunkett read the Support Resolution. Motion by Plunkett, second by Painter to approve the Resolution of Support for A Public Safety Sales Tax from the Economic Development Committee. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 268). Bike Trail Maintenance: Plunkett reported that the Bike Trail is due to be oiled and chipped and will cost $6,000. If it is not necessary, then the committee will put off the oil and chipping for another year, due to budget concerns. Meeting Date Changes: Plunkett stated that the following Economic Development Committee meeting dates will be changed: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2004 will be changed to Friday, May 28th, 2004; Wednesday, July 7th, 2004 will be changed to Friday, July 2nd, 2004 and Wednesday, August 4th, 2004 will be changed to Friday, July 30th, 2004. Meeting times and locations have not changed, with all meetings beginning at 6:00 PM and held in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Horn second by Blankenship to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by County Board Chairman Mike Havera as follows: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Havera stated that he had spoken with Dan Anderson from BPI Industries, and BPI will be drilling test holes this spring to locate the best potential locations for the methane gas wells, with intentions of returning in the spring of 2005 to drill the permanent wells. Havera reported that members should be watching the progress of two items in state legislation: House Bill 537 which will allow County Boards to levy for Health Insurance; and Senate Bill 334, the Manufactured Homes Bill. APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Ogden, second by Helgen to approve the appointment of Mr. Paul Beeler to the Henderson Water District for a five-year term. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Heaton, second by Aumann to approve the re-appointment of Joyce Matthews as Commissioner to the Montgomery County Public Building Commission, with the term beginning immediately. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Hampton, second by Jackson to approve the appointment of Mr. James L. Hitchings as trustee to the Raymond Community Fire Protection District. Mr. Hitchings term will begin May 1st, 2004 and will expire April 30th, 2007. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 269-273). Motion by Petty, second by Durbin to approve the re-appointment of G. Martin Dawson as Trustee to the Nokomis Area Fire Protection District. Mr. Dawson’s term will begin on May 3rd, 2004 and expire on May 2nd, 2007. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Horn, second by Sielschott to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. (For itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2004). ADJOURN: Until the Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 13th, 2004 at 8:30 AM. Motion by Painter, second by Myers to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 AM.