 The meeting began with a moment of silence observed for those who
died in the recent shootings in Washington, D.C., as well for Wilbur
Paulus, who was a member of the zoning board of appeals for more
than 40 years.A new phone system
The first vote of the evening was on purchasing a new telephone
system from Frontier Communications. The board's Building and
Grounds Committee has spent the last three years working on gaining
access to a new system, as the current phones need constant repair
and attention.
The new system would cost $48,297, after a few additions that
were put into the plan after the board of whole meeting. The system
would connect all of the telephones, with the option to connect
cellular phones, in the courthouse, the highway department, the
airport and the John Logan Building.
The purchase of the system was unanimously approved.
Appointments
Two appointments were approved at the meeting. Doug Butler was
appointed to the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership.
Jeff Mammen was appointed to the New Holland Fire Protection
District.
Airport and farm
County board members voted to approve their portion of payments
for a series of improvements made at the county airport. The
improvements included new runway and taxi lighting systems, a bigger
windsock and light, and some other upgrades. The county's part would
be $25,633, and it will be paid to the Illinois Department of
Transportation.
Animal control
Kevin Bateman, animal control chairman, said that due to
overcrowding and an attempt to maintain a minimal amount of animal
euthanizing, there will be a discount on pet adoption fees through
Nov. 30.
Cats will cost $35 and dogs will cost $50. This is roughly half
the cost before the discount.
The vote was approved, with Pat O'Neill abstaining.
Bateman said this discount will come at a loss to animal control,
which is why it will last only through the end of November.
"I would like to see these animals get a good home, and that's
why we (the animal control committee) voted for it," said Bateman.
Board chairman Robert Farmer commended Bateman for his efforts in
this matter.
[to top of second column] |
 Finance
The first vote for finance matters was the insertion of a 3
percent raise in the fiscal 2013-2014 budget for the salary line
items for nonunion personnel.
The motion was approved by the board. Chuck Ruben said the amount
can still be amended during discussions of the budget itself. This
vote was just to increase the line item in question.
The second vote was to increase the amount for Regional Office of
Education 38 under Superintendent Jean Anderson. The amount would be
increased to $61,600.
David Hepler said he supported the amendment, though he would
consider adjusting the amount again before the budget is passed. The
motion was approved, with Bateman and Carlton voting no.
Executive and economic development
Hepler said that because of timing, his committee had no vote to
bring up for this month's adjourned board meeting. Hepler said that
next month, the committee would bring forward their recommendations
concerning the transportation project compliance and oversight
management position and the county coordinator. Hepler added that
these motions were not unanimous decisions.
The motions in question that will be brought forward in October
from the committee are:
-
To hire Pamela
Meagher for overseeing the transportation grant at a salary of
$32,000, with a stipulation that comp time accumulated must be
used and not paid. In addition, a part-time position would be
created at no more than 20 hours a week to work in the same
office. This motion underwent several amendments during
discussion.
-
To add the duties of county coordinator
to the job description of zoning officer Will D'Andrea, with an
increase in his salary, bringing it to $65,000. His duties would
include several of the tasks that Meagher has taken on as
secretary since she was hired, and D'Andrea's office would be
moved to the courthouse.
In addition, Hepler said the committee would bring forward some
information from Brian Bergen concerning the CEDS region.
Planning and zoning
The county board voted to approve the conditional use permit for
a new Ameren substation to be built just south of Lincoln.
As the meeting ended, the board changed the date for the
adjourned board meeting next month to Oct. 16. In addition, there
will be a truth-in-taxation hearing just before the meeting.
Board members present for the meeting were vice chairman David
Hepler, chairman Robert Farmer; Bill Martin, Andy Anderson, Andy
Meister, Kevin Bateman, Pat O'Neill, Gene Rohlfs, Chuck Ruben, Jan
Schumacher and Terry Carlton.
[By DEREK HURLEY] |
