Hancock County Board met Oct. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting was called to Order at 6:30 P.M. by Chairman Delbert Kreps.
The invocation was given by Patsy Davis. The "Pledge of Allegiance” was led by the Clerk.
Those present were: Delbert Kreps, Chairman
Holly A. Wilde-Tillman, County Clerk
Janet Fleming Mark Menn
Tom Scheetz Tom Rodgers
Dennis Castlebury Steve Finney
Wayne Bollin Harry Douglas
Patsy Davis Mark Hanson
Steve Bolton Pat Cramer
Absent: Bryan Stevens, Gary Dittmer
Visitors present at the Board meeting were Jennifer Meeks and family, Brendon Moon, Jana West, Kim Weaver, Mark Cox JP Editor, Keith Krohe Health Insurance Representative, Elgin Berry, Jordan Hawes, Lori Sutton, Rachel Mast, Andrew Asbury, Gary Stansbery, Mark Chaffee and Ambulance employees.
Brendon Moon spoke in favor of keeping the 457 Plan through John Hancock. He received a letter saying the County will no longer administer the plan. He believes it is a benefit to employees for tax reasons. He cannot carry that benefit on without the County offering it. He does not want to lose it and thinks it is a nice attraction for employees. Mark Menn brought up that he believes this plan should not be on the back of the taxpayers. We already pay 11% towards IMRF. Wayne Bollin is not opposed to the employee paying the fees but does not want to open the door for more plans. Steve Bolton moved to table the change to the John Hancock Plan and revisit this at the Finance Committee. It was seconded by Tom Rodgers and motion carried.
Mark Chaffee, who was a professor at the University of lowa is now working in Rural Economy and wants to add to business in distress. His rural roots are deep and understands what is happening in our area and is working on opportunities in this zone. He has worked in many areas, like Africa, to bring high speed internet. He wants to help build infrastructure. He offered his phone number and is willing to sit down and have conversations about what can be done.
Mr. Menn made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 22nd, 2020 board meeting. Mr. Douglas seconded, and it carried.
Steve Bolton presented the report of the meeting held by the Highway Committee on September 29th, 2020. Mr. Bolton moved the report be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the reports be place on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Scheetz. On roll call, all members participating vote "Yes."
Mr. Kreps presented a Resolution to expend Motor Fuel Tax in the amount of $620,000 for general maintenance of county highways in the 2021 calendar year. Wayne Bollin made the motion to approve the resolution and it was seconded by Mark Menn. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes."
Mr. Kreps presented a Resolution reappointing Elgin Berry as Hancock County Engineer. Mr. Scheetz made the motion, and it was seconded by Ms. Davis. Roll call was taken with Fleming, Menn, Scheetz, Castlebury, Finney, Douglas, Davis, Hanson, Bolton, Cramer, Rodgers, Kreps voting "Yes" and Bollin recused himself.
Steven Bolton made the motion to approve the Resolution to expend Motor Fuel Tax fund to pay the salary of the Hancock County Engineer in the 2021 calendar year, seconded by Harry Douglas. Roll call was taken with Fleming, Menn, Scheetz, Castlebury, Finney, Douglas, Davis, Hanson, Bolton, Cramer, Rodgers, Kreps voting "Yes" and Bollin recused himself.
Mr. Bollin presented the reports of the meetings held by the Finance Committee on September 22nd, September 29th and October 8th, 2020, Mr. Bollin moved the reports be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the reports be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cramer. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Bollin asked Mr. Krobe from our health insurance company to speak. Mr. Krohe believes the plan is working well and reported that there will be no additional fees. He is working with the Treasurers office to get the funds in correct accounts to build a reserve.
Mr. Bollin spoke in regard to the Budget and clarified a few things. He said there is a deficiency and is not concerned because there are some areas where there is extra funds. Bellwether was here to explain and help keep the taxpayer paying a lower amount. There could be reimbursement for Sheriff and ambulance from CARES grant that needs to be utilized. The budget is done and up to date and Mr. Bollin encouraged everyone to look it over and if there is changes, we have time. The budget will be on the website.
Lori Sutton from Public Transporation spoke on the addendum that was presented at the September board meeting and again at the October 8th Finance meeting. Ms. Mast has looked it over and has asked the Board to pass the first Addendum 3. Ms. Mast wants to go back to the renewed contract and review.
Mr. Castlebury made the motion to accept the Level “D” renewal with Symetra Insurance Company with the out of pocket cost level at $30,000, it was seconded by Mr. Bollin. Roll call was taken with all members present voting “Yes."
Ms. Wilde-Tillman spoke regarding her request to be able to have approval for Election expenses up to $20,000 for her to submit grants for CARES in a timely manner. Mr. Cramer made the motion, seconded by Mr. Bolton, Roli call was taken with all members present voting "Yes."
Mr. Menn made a motion to approve the Resolution appointing Betty Twaddle as County Board Secretary beginning December 1, 2020 through November 30th, 2021. It was seconded by Harry Douglas and all members present voted "Yes."
The Resolution for Animal Control Warden was tabled for Rachel Mast to review the statue and make sure we are handling this correctly. She believes he needs to be appointed by an Administrator which is usually a Veterinarian and she will take this to the Health and Miscellaneous committee when they meet again.
Ms. Davis made a motion to approve a Resolution for the budget year 2020-2021 for the transferring of funds from one line item to another. It was seconded by Steve Bolton, roll call was taken and all members present voted "Yes."
Mr. Scheetz presented the report of a meeting held by the Building, Grounds and Insurance Committee held October 12th, 2020. Mr. Scheetz moved the report be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the report be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. It was seconded by Mr. Cramer. All present voted "Yes".
Mr. Cramer moved the report of a meeting held by the County Health and Miscellaneous held on October 13th, 2020 be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the report be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mark Hanson, and on roll call all members participating voted "Yes".
The John Hancock Plan that was slated on the agenda at this time was voted on at the beginning of the meeting.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion to have a Bid Proposal put in the paper for the work on the County Dog pound. It was seconded by Dennis Castlebury, roll call was taken and all members present voted "Yes."
Mr. Scheetz made the motion to approve the Resolution appointing Jennifer Meeks as full-time EMS director. There was discussion as to benefits and why this resolution was not in the board packet. Ms. Wilde-Tillman explained that she had went back in the records and did not see where a resolution had been done previously but consulted with Ms. Mast and they were putting it together in the final hours before the meeting. Ms. Wilde-Tillman had spoke with Ms. Fleming and she had stated any benefits given to County employees would be offered to Ms. Meeks. Mr.Castlebury seconded the motion, roll call was taken with all members present voting "Yes."
Ms. Davis moved to approve a Resolution Writing off $53,680.21 in Contractual Adjustments for Medicare, Medicaid in September. It was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Castlebury moved to approve a Resolution writing off Bad Debt collections in the amount of $7,758.23. Mr. Cramer did bring up that he learned this will be turned over to a collection agency. Mr. Scheetz seconded the motion. On roll call, Fleming, Scheetz, Castlebury, Finney, Douglas, Davis, Hanson, Rodgers and Kreps voted "Yes". Menn, Bollin, Bolton and Cramer voting "No". Passing 9-4.
The motion was made to approve the first Addendum number 3 by Harry Douglas and was seconded by Mr. Castlebury. Roll call was taken with Fleming, Castlebury, Finney, Douglas, Davis, Hanson, Rodgers and Kreps voting "Yes." Menn, Scheetz, Bollin and Cramer voting "No." The addendum passing 8-5.
Ms. Wilde-Tillman presented an opportunity for an assignment of tax certificate to Jennifer Curtean from the Trustee where the County would be reimbursed all taxes, fees and interest. Ms. Davis made the motion to accept the assignment, it was seconded by Mr. Scheetz. Roll call was taken and all members present voted “Yes."
Mr. Scheetz spoke about the City of Hamilton creating a TIF district and Mr. Menn added they would be expanding the current TIF district.
A motion was made by Mr. Hanson to adjourn until the next meeting on November 17th, 2020 at 6:30. It was seconded by Mr. Castlebury and it carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
https://www.hancockcounty-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/County-Board-Minutes-October-20-2020-1.pdf
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