 Report summaries:Insurance: Chairman Jan Schumacher
announced that the county would be gathering proposals for employee
health insurance. The contract with the current provider is up on
April 1. So, the process needs to begin right away, as there would
be only two committee meetings to get everything in place for board
approval in March.
Schumacher was advised during the morning finance committee
meeting that getting proposals is free. Finance chairman Chuck Ruben
said that any chairman of a committee is entitled to go out and
gather information, including proposals. If the committee were to
seek bids, it costs money, which would require committee and board
approval.
Last year the county was hit with a steep increase in the
premium, related to high claims from the previous year. Nancy Schaub
of R.W. Garrett looked for other provider options. There was only
one other company that would have been able to maintain the quality
of medical services and providers that Health Alliance was providing
the county employees. Another factor in last year's decision was the
effect on employees in mid-catastrophic illness. To help with the
rate increase, deductibles and co-pays were increased. (See article:
County Health Insurance Could Jump 27 Percent)
During the evening meeting, board vice chairman Pat O'Neill said
that opening the field would allow the opportunity "to see what's
out there."
Animal control: Committeeman Dave Hepler said that the
facility continues to collect aluminum cans, which help offset the
costs of pet food at the facility. However, contributions have
fallen off. The committee is working on ways to remind people that
their contribution is valuable. "We need to get the word out that it
does make a difference," Hepler said.
Buildings and grounds: John Stewart said his committee is
recommending a bid for carpet in the circuit clerk's office from
Stewart Carpet Center for $5,639.29.
Carla Bender, circuit clerk, would seek quotes for carpet, as
well as opinions on other flooring options for the third-floor
courtroom, the county clerk's office and Judge Harris' outer office
area.
Cold, dark days at a county building
Things have not been going well at the John Logan Building.
Following the first weekend of the year, the building shared by the
superintendent of assessments and the superintendent of schools had
the motor for the furnace go out. It was determined that the
bearings were bad and the motor needed to be replaced. That was on
Monday.
On Tuesday the assessor, Rosanne Brosamer, called to report that
all of the offices, carpets and desks in the building were covered
with black soot. Rick Bacon, chief deputy with the sheriff's
department, went to see what had happened. The motor belt had
disintegrated and blown through the ductwork in the building. There
was concern for people who have breathing problems. It was decided
that it would be best to have the ducts professionally cleaned
before the heat would be turned back on. Duct cleaning estimates
came in at $1,200-$1,500.
Storm damage
The county had a number of trees damaged during recent ice and
windstorms. Cleanup and removal of trees around the courthouse cost
$1,250. The city is providing assistance with cleanup needs in the
downtown Latham and Scully parks and other county property areas in
town. Dennis Reves, the county's maintenance superintendent, with
the help of prisoners, would perform additional pruning and
maintenance in the spring.
The Civil War soldier monument was destroyed by wind during the
last storm. An insurance claim was filed and a committee formed to
restore it. More information on it is expected next month, Stewart
said.
Community Action: Pat O'Neill said that a plan for public
transportation is in its third stage. The most recent meeting was
postponed due to weather and was yet to be rescheduled. This process
is reaching an important point. The next stage would decide who will
actually get the project funds, managed by the Illinois Department
of Transportation. He encouraged anyone with time and interest to
come to the meetings, saying it could make a difference for Logan
County.
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O'Neill said he ordered an audit of the Community Action building,
and it has been determined that it needs a lot more repair than
first thought. The weatherization team put together a 71-page
detailed review that includes a need for windows and insulation. The
committee would be looking at the information to decide "what needed
the utmost attention."
Finance: The board tentatively approved the engagement letter
for Clifton Gunderson to begin the 2008 audit. This is the third
year of a three-year contract with the company. Chairman Chuck Ruben
said that he has heard numerous compliments from the county
departments working with these auditors about how good the company
has been to work with. He anticipated that when it is time to renew
the contract next year, as long as the costs would be within reason,
the county would want to stay with them. One of the factors that
could get better is an hourly wage for certain work, as those hours
would become less, so some costs might even go down. "The advantage
of staying with one auditor," he said, is that "our people are
familiar with them and what they want. The big thing about Clifton
Gunderson is that everybody at the courthouse has just really raved
about them. They (our officials) like them, they get along, they say
they act like they (the auditors) want to be here."
Next month the finance committee will move to meeting on the
second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. The committee has been
meeting on Thursday mornings on the committee-of-the-whole day. The
change in time would open up the option to put any board member on
that committee.
Law enforcement, emergency management: The board will be
approving a resolution for a Logan County disaster declaration.
Possible tornadic winds that struck on Dec. 27 caused extensive
damage and costs that exceeded resources. The damage estimate was
over $3 million.
A $50,000 grant with a Dec. 1 expiration has been retained even
though it could not be used for the original intended purpose. The
grant was secured to help purchase a storage building rented by the
county for over 10 years and currently shared by emergency
management and the sheriff's department. Last month, owners of the
building withdrew their offer to sell.
Dan Fulscher, emergency management director, reapplied for a
change in the grant structure and had the December deadline
extended. The funds will be used for some unanticipated emergency
expenses.
Chairman's report: Terry Carlton said that he attended Rep.
Rich Brauer's inauguration reception. He would be meeting with Sen.
Larry Bomke this week. He also said that Sen. Bill Brady, a
candidate for governor, would be attending the Lincoln Day dinner
here. He encouraged all board members to keep in contact with our
legislators as much as possible.
The chairman decided not to bring any new names forward for the
District 6 seat made vacant when Michael McIntosh became state's
attorney. "We're not going to do anything at this time," Carlton
said. "We're still looking into that and we'll figure that out as we
go forward."
The chairman also said, "I will be making some changes to
committees and also some appointments to some new things that are
going on."
The board has an adjourned meeting this evening (Tuesday) at 7 at
the Logan County Courthouse.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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