Logan County Board briefs for April:
- New fuel system for airport
- New ETSB Ordinance includes seven Joint Emergency Telephone System
Board appointments
- Kevin Bateman moves kitty-corner to Lincoln Ward 3 Alderman seat

 

[April 30, 2019] 

Airport/Farm Committee update

Airport and Farm Committee Chairman Dave Blankenship brought forward two motions:

- A contract with R.L. Vollintine Construction to remove and replace the aviation fuel system, which includes all the pumps and tanks. The county share of Transportation Improvement Program (TIPS) Project is $58,000. The state of Illinois would pay $529,000, the bulk of costs for the project.

- Authorization for the chairman to sign an approval for transfer of entitlements for the project.

The cost of the Aviation Fuel System project would be $587,000.

With the state paying 90 percent, the Logan County Airport responsibility is 10 percent of the total.

The fuel sales are a significant contribution to the maintenance and operation cost of the airport. There were 499 gallons of fuel sold in March.

At the Thursday board workshop, recently appointed Airport Manager Gene Rohlfs said that replacing the system helps him see the light at the end of the tunnel and one exciting part is that the county does not have to put money up front because the $58,000 is already in the budget.
Both motions were unanimously approved

Insurance/Legislative/Liquor Committee update

The board unanimously approved Insurance, Legislative, and Liquor Committee Chairman Annette Welch’s motion to approve the ETSB Ordinance with changes.

The new ETSB Ordinance replaces one that was created in 1989 and has been updated over the years. This new ordinance is more in line with current ETSB state statutes.

Among changes, a recent Emergency Telephone System Act requires “the county board to establish an Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB), provide for the manner of appointment and the number of its members, and define its powers and duties.”

The Act also requires that “the creation of an ETSB shall be a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board (JETSB) between the corporate authorities of any county or municipality by entering into an intergovernmental agreement.”

As part of the consent agenda, seven people were appointed to the Joint Emergency Telephone System Board. The appointees were Logan County Dispatch Supervisor Rebecca Langley, Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District Fire Chief Chris Buse, Lincoln Assistant Fire Chief Robert Dunovsky, Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers, Emergency Management Agency Office Manager Cheryl Hedrick, Logan County Board member Bob Sanders and 911 Board member Hillary Cherry.

New Logan County Emergency Telephone System Board Ordinance - Pdf

Executive and Personnel Committee update

The board unanimously approved Executive and Personnel Chairman Scott Schaffenacker’s motion for a vote of confidence to have the Logan County State’s Attorney move forward with the Opioid Litigation.

During his time as State’s Attorney, now Judge Jonathan Wright, began working on developing the opioid legislation. At a Board Workshop in January 2019, Wright said he was looking into possible civil litigation of drug companies who distribute opioids. He said they would not necessarily be suing the drug companies but would be investigating whether the companies misrepresented the effects and did not indicate the drugs were highly addictive. These companies may have provided misleading or inaccurate information. Wright said that a special counsel was going to be put together.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Logan County State’s Attorney Brad Hauge said, “The opioid issue facing Logan County is a real threat to the safety of the public. Logan County has incurred and continues to incur costs relating to opioid addiction and abuse, including, but not limited to, health care costs, criminal justice and victimization costs, social service expenses, and costs of lost productivity. I am exploring the possibility of pursuing a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical and distribution companies whose actions or omissions were the cause of Logan County’s economic injury.”

Hauge, “At this time, there is no lawsuit that has been filed [so the] vote was merely a vote of confidence for [me] to move forward with possible litigation as I see fit.”

Schaffenacker’s motion to appoint Brad Hauge as Logan County’s Ethics Officer was also unanimously approved.

Finance Committee update

The board unanimously voted on Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Ruben’s motion to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $21,105 for Jail Architectural design payment from another line item already in the budget.

Animal Control Committee update

Animal Control Committee Chairman Scott Schaffenacker’s motion to send out annual Animal Control Contracts to all the municipalities at the same fee amounts as last year was unanimously approved.

Building and Grounds Committee update

Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Kevin Bateman’s motion to approve the KONE Contract (elevator) for the No Load Safety Test in the amount of $1,729.43 was unanimously approved. The board signs an agreement with KONE annually.

Committee Chairman’s report

At the end of the evening, Davenport read a resignation letter from board member Kevin Bateman.

In the letter, Bateman said it has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Logan County for almost a decade as the board has made some great strides.

Bateman is resigning his county board position effective at the end of the month to “start a new chapter” by serving on the Lincoln City Council as Ward 3 Alderman, to which he was recently elected.

Davenport wished Bateman well.

The next Regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Logan County Courthouse.

[Angela Reiners]