South West Illinois News

The Jefferson County Board met April 25 to enact a $10 fee to support the drug count.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

The board meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, unless changed due to a holiday.

The Jefferson County Board met in Regular Session on Monday, April 25, 2016, in the Jefferson County Board Room, located on the lower level of the County Courthouse.

Chairman Robert White called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

County Clerk & Recorder Connie Simmons called the roll: Board Members present: Wayne Hicks, Joyce Damron, Bob Watt, Cliff Lindemann, Justin Fulkerson, Jeff Williams, Randy Edwards, Tim Marlow, Tommy Hayes, Sean Wilkey, Steve Draege and Robert White (12) Board Members absent: James Malone (1) Legal Counsel present: State's Attorney Douglas Hoffman

The invocation was given by Watt followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by White.

Public Input

James Robertson spoke regarding traffic lights for new Mt. Vernon Township High School and transfer of road to the City of Mt. Vernon. James Rippy thanked White and Edwards for attending the RLCD meeting this morning. Jere Shaw spoke regarding the RLCD spending $70,000 for two cabins, and they gave their manager a 5% raise. Randall Crocker from Franklin County would not put RLCD referenda on ballot so he is going to township and village meetings in Franklin County to try to pressure them into putting on ballot.

Board Member & Chairman comments

Edwards stated he had a complaint about a ditch and the Highway Department got it fixed the next day.

Wilkey stated the presentation by Joseph E. Meyer & Associates about cleanup of tax sale properties was very informative.

White appointed himself to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority. White stated he and Edwards did attend the RLCD Board meeting that morning and he suggested they transfer money for a capitol project to install the needed water lines at an approximate cost of $173,000. which will have a guarantee return over the long term, while they are spending $75,000 for cabins with no guarantee of return. White stated he attended his first Board Meeting for the County Insurance Trust.

Motion by Edwards seconded by Hayes to approve the March 28, 2016, Regular Session Full Board Meeting minutes. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Fiscal Committee Chair Watt presented the minutes from the April 13, 2016, Workshop Meeting and the April 21, 2016, Committee Meeting.

Watt moves seconded by Edwards to approve Resolution 04-2016-01 Enacting the $5 Fee to Support Jefferson County Drug Court. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (11 aye - 1 nay Draege - 0 abstain)

Watt moves seconded by Edwards to approve Resolution 04-2016-02 Enacting the $10 Fee to Support Jefferson County Drug Court. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (11 aye - 1 nay Draege - 0 abstain)

Watt moves seconded by Edwards to approve the monthly claims, as adjusted, if sufficient funds are present. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Watt moves seconded by Hayes to approve the Payroll Distribution Report as presented. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Watt moves seconded by Hicks to approve the Demand Claims Report as presented. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Technology Committee Chair Lindemann stated this Committee did not meet this month.

Public Safety Committee Chair Hayes stated this Committee did not meet this month.

Motion by Hayes seconded by Fulkerson to approve the Animal Shelter Report as presented. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Highway Committee Chair Draege presented the minutes from the April 21, 2016, Committee Meeting.

Draege moves seconded by Edwards to approve the monthly claims as presented. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Draege moves seconded by Edwards to award the bid for monthly fuel to Synenergy at the price of $1.5455 per gallon for diesel and $1.3845 per gallon for gasohol for a combined price of $2.9300. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Draege moves seconded by Edwards to install a School Zone Flashing Light on Wells Bypass and Ambassador Lane by the new Mt. Vernon Township High School. (County Engineer Simmons' recommendation after discussion with Illinois Department of Transportation says stop lights do not meet criteria at this time. Sheriff Allen stated stop lights should be installed for the safety of all, and that stop signs should only be used out in the County.) Motion to amend by Wilkey seconded by Hicks to offer Wells Bypass (1.5 miles) to the City of Mt. Vernon. Voice vote on amendment. Amendment Failed. (2 aye Wilkey, Hicks - 8 nay - 0 abstain) Roll call vote on motion. Motion Carried. (8 aye - 4 nay Wilkey, Hicks, Fulkerson, White - 0 abstain)

Draege moves seconded by Edwards to approve a resolution in the amount of $27,000.00 for a bridge on Richview Road, Section 08-00200-00-00-BR. Roll call vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Draege moves seconded by Edwards to temporarily close Marlow Road to the junction of Old Route 15 to East edge of Mt. Vernon for the annual "Salute to Freedom" fireworks display. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Land, Tax & Appointments Committee Chair Edwards presented the minutes from the April 21, 2016, Committee Meeting.

Edwards moves seconded by Wilkey to appoint Brett Hall to the Jefferson County Housing Authority. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain) Chairman appoints.

Edwards moves seconded by Wilkey to appoint Vickie Schulte to the 708 Mental Health Board. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain) Chairman appoints.

Services Committee did not meet this month.

Motion by Hayes seconded by Hicks to accept the Public Defender's Reports as presented. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Motion by Hayes seconded by Damron to approve all Committee Reports as presented/amended. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

Correspondence

County Clerk Simmons again informed the Board of added expenses we will be having for the General Election, and thanked them for approving her submitted budget. County Clerk Simmons stated she has transferred $10,000.00 from Revenue Stamps to General Corporate, and it should be reflected on next month's reports.

Motion by Hayes seconded by Damron to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Voice vote. Motion Carried. (12 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain)

(Approved by County Board May 23, 2016)