|
 The
board approved several motions and resolutions including a
resolution to amend the Logan County Zoning map rezoning the land
from Agriculture, special district to M-3 extraction; a motion to
remove themselves from involvement with donations from Meridien for
community colleges, a motion to refer the public transportation
issue back to committee, and a motion to put a tax levy for the
Veteran's Assistance Commission in March's election,
Regarding the ongoing transportation issue, Board member Jan
Schumacher said that before next month, she; Pam Meagher, who
oversees the financial aspects of the program; and Board
Administrative Assistant, Michelle Barr, hope to meet with Community
Action representatives Alison Rumler-Gomez, Kathy Inman, and Laura
Dick, to talk about the issue and "to make sure that we are all on
the same page, that we have all the information that we need, get
any miscommunication cleared up, and get any information out there
all together,"
Finance chairman Chuck Ruben suggested that Andy Anderson be
included in that meeting since he is on the Community Action Board.
Hepler offered to let several of the people affected by the
transportation issue say a few words before the board voted on
taking it back to committee.
Rachel Foster, facility administrator of Davita Dialysis, said that
there are 15 patients who depend on the drivers to get to dialysis.
She called the drivers amazing, said they treat the patients with
love, care, and respect, and stressed the importance of having the
transportation in this community.
Olivia Messina, who works with Logan County Mental Health and Logan
Mason Rehab said many of their clients depend on Community Action to
get their clients to psychiatric appointments in Springfield, so the
resource is very important to them.
Schumacher responded by saying it is great to hear what a needed
service it is, acknowledging that the county recognizes that. She
explained that the intent has never been to discontinue the
transportation, but they must decide whether Community Action would
operate it or whether to use another provider.
Lena Schleder, who works for Davita Dialysis, stated that she has
worked in several counties and feels that Logan County's
transportation is one the best transportation companies in the state
because the drivers are on time, dependable, and caring. Foster
discussed how hard these drivers work and said that they need the
county's support.
Alison Rumler-Gomez reminded the board that the senior
transportation grant cycle runs through the end of September, and
though Area Agency has invited them to apply for a grant, Community
Action must decide whether to do that before October 1. She
expressed concern about the board tabling the issue until next
month. Anderson asked Rumler-Gomez if the senior transportation
could be extended due to the impasse, but she explained that with
funding sources, there has to be an appropriation and a grant award,
plus a commitment from the funding source that they will
retroactively pay for services rendered.
Anderson said the board would have an answer in October. Rumler-Gomez
noted that the alternative is that the county apply for the funding.
Board Chairman David Hepler said that the committee chairperson will
decide if there is a need for a special meeting, and the board then
unanimously voted to refer it back to the committee.
Regarding the motion on the use of Meridian Wind Farm donations,
Hepler and Schumacher reported that the state's attorney wanted the
board to distance themselves from the scholarship issue. Schumacher
provided the board members with a letter to Meridien stating, "Upon
the advice of the Logan County State's Attorney, the Logan County
Board wishes to remove itself from involvement with the donations
you plan to make to local community colleges. Please revise the
stipulation that the county board will determine how the community
college donations will be received."
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When Schumacher asked for comments from Heartland representatives, Heartland
Community College Foundation Executive Director Chris Downing shared how the
foundation works with donors to assure that any donation they provide is used in
the manner that they intend the gift to be used. He said the Foundation would
bring to the table all the criteria deliberated by members of the board such as
efforts to split the donations in various ways to fund both scholarships and to
develop programs to meet the needs of this community.
Heartland trustee Jim Drew shared that our community college district has the
reputation of being a "shining star" and said there is an opportunity to
determine what programs need to be offered here and to find a setting suitable
for the programs.
Hepler thanked the Heartland representatives for shepherding the issue forward.
Before making the motion to approve putting the tax levy for the Veteran's
Assistance Commission on the next election ballot, Hepler asked for questions
from the board and comments from VFW representative Michelle Ramlow.
Rohlfs asked if there should be clarification in the motion on the levy amount,
which is up to .03 percent.
Ramlow explained there are 2,217 veterans in Logan County receiving some type of
benefit and stated that a Veteran's Assistance Commission (VAC) would provide
aid to those who may qualify for and need assistance with services not provided
by other agencies such as V.A. home loans and V.A. health benefits. Ramlow said
that on October 15, all local veteran's organizations will meet to discuss the
formation a Veteran's Assistance Commission and if at least two of the
organizations are in favor of forming a VAC, they will draw up a petition to
present their intentions to the board and would likely have a budget ready by
March.
Ruben inquired whether it would need to become part of this year's budget, which
will already be set before March. State's Attorney Jonathan Wright said only if
the board wants to anticipate some amount to appropriate in this year's budget
or amend it mid-year. Ruben asserted the first funding by property tax levy
would be available in 2018.
The members also approved resolutions on several tax sales, unanimously approved
resolutions on raffles for the Oasis Senior Center, and the Center for Youth and
Family Solutions; use of up to $25,000 from the Road and Bridge fund to pay for
half the cost to replace a culvert in East Lincoln and Chester Township, and
$10,000 from the fund to pay for half the cost to repair a bridge in Atlanta
Township.
In addition, the board approved the updated Vision Care Plan for county
employees, the audit engagement letter for FY 2014-2105, and the motion to place
the FY 2015-2016 Logan County Budget Draft on display for 30 days.
Among the financial reports the treasurer's monthly cash statement for July
revenue was $1,209,821.60. July expenses $756,853.47, and July balance in the
amount of $2,061,212.12.
Board members present at the meeting were David Hepler, Kevin Bateman, Chuck
Ruben, Gene Rohlfs, Robert Farmer, Jan Schumacher, David Blankenship, Andy
Anderson, Scott Schaffenacher and Emily Davenport. Rick Aylesworth and Pat
O'Neill were absent.
[Angela Reiners, with contributions from Jan
Youngquist] |
