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 Before moving on to more serious business, the board chose to
honor the youth of the community by recognition of accomplishment
through athletics.
Recognition of LCHS Basketball Team
Board member Jan Schumacher read a board resolution recognizing the
efforts of the Lincoln Community High School Boys Basketball team.
This past season, the LCHS Boys Basketball team brought home the
IHSA Class 3A State Runner-Up trophy. Coach Neil Alexander and half
of the basketball team were present to hear Schumacher read from the
recognition.
“It was real gratifying to me as a coach to coach these guys and for
them to play the way that I think basketball should be played. Very
unselfish, they didn’t care about points or statistics or anything,
they only had one goal in mind,” said Alexander. “They represented
our community with great pride. I’m proud of them as their coach.”
Salaries of elected officials
The Finance committee recently discussed the potential raising of
salaries for elected officials working in the county. The current
positions and officials under review are for clerk and recorder
filled by Sally Litterly; treasurer, represented by Vicki Dugan; and
sheriff, filled by Steve Nichols. Every four years, the county board
has to decide whether or not the salaries of these officials will be
altered before setting them for another four years.
Several board members have said that they have been reading through
a list of salaries for clerks, sheriffs, and treasurers in
surrounding counties, and they all came to the conclusion that Logan
County’s wages for these positions are in the lowest ranges in the
area.
In the past the board has provided a percentage increase per year
for each of the four years to these officials. In addition, elected
officials do not receive raises as the other county employees do
when the annual budget is passed.
The original motion made was an adjustment to the salaries by three
percent each year for the next four years. After some quick math,
the committee adjusted the motion to increase Dugan’s salary by
$1,700; Litterly’s by $1,800; and Nichols’ by $2,000. This amount
would be added each year of the four years, bringing the total to
$22,000 over the four year period. As was the case at the workshop
meeting, board members made amendments to raise the adjustments.
Anderson said he would support raises for the elected officials, but
not if they are so high. “None of the other courthouse employees
have gotten five percent raises,” said Anderson.
David Hepler said he wants to see the elected officials receive a
salary that is more in line with their peers in surrounding
counties. Kevin Bateman said that he supports the idea not because
of their peers, but because the officials have put in so many years
of hard work and dedication. “Instead of trying to match what
everybody makes or compare them to somebody else, I believe someone
deserves a raise based on the merit of the job that they do, not
just the title,” said Bateman.
Anderson added to that, saying that when the same conversation was
had concerning the board secretary’s salary as compared to other
counties, “it fell upon deaf ears,” yet they were having the same
type of conversation now more easily.
Following the discussion held by the whole board, those numbers were
adjusted by amendment as follows:
- An amendment was made by board member Rick Aylesworth to
raise the adjustment for the county clerk’s salary to $3,000
each year for the four years. Board member Rohlfs made a
separate motion to increase the salary by $3,000 the first year,
with $1,800 every year after that. Rohlfs’ motion failed to
pass, and Aylesworth’s motion was approved. The increase was
approved with a vote of eight to three, with Anderson,
Blankenship, and Rohlfs voting no.
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- Board member Chuck Ruben made a motion to amend the
increase to the sheriff’s salary to $2,500 every year for
four years. Ruben’s motion passed, and the salary adjustment
passed with a vote of eight to three, with Anderson,
Blankenship, and Rohlfs voting no.
- Ruben also made a motion to amend the increase to the
treasurer’s salary to $2,300 each year for four years. The
amendment and the vote for the increase both passed
unanimously.
Deer Creek bridge replacement
County Engineer Bret Aukamp was present at the meeting to make an
announcement. Aukamp said that the county Highway Department has
been awarded $1.7 million as part of IDOT’s Major Bridge Program.
The money will be used to replace the Deer Creek Bridge just south
of Lincoln.
“Only seven local entities were awarded this money, and we were one
of them,” said Aukamp.
Currently, the Deer Creek Bridge suffers from “significant
structural issues.” The bridge was temporarily closed during the
summer of 2013. It was reopened with new weight restrictions in
place.
Aukamp said that this money needs to be combined with a local match
in order for the county to claim the funding. “This does allow us to
free up some money and spread it out over other bridges in the
county,” said Aukamp.
New board member appointment
The board members present unanimously approved the appointment of
David Blankenship to the Logan County Board. Blankenship will be
representing District 1 in county. He would fill the opening created
in March by the death of Bill Martin.
County Clerk Sally Litterly swore Blankenship in and he took his
seat with the board members.
Just last month the board approved Emily Davenport to fill the seat
vacated in December by Terry Carlton. With Blankenship’s
appointment, the board returns to full occupancy with 12 members,
two from each of six districts.
Board members present at the meeting were Vice-Chairman David Hepler;
Kevin Bateman, Rick Aylesworth, Chuck Ruben, Gene Rohlfs; Chairman
Robert Farmer; Jan Schumacher, Emily Davenport, David Blankenship,
Andy Anderson, and Andy Meister. Pat O’Neill was absent.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
See discussions of unified
structure of economic development groups:
County: More consultant work needed before it approves Unified
Organization See
news release regarding Deer Creek Bridge funding:
County announces funding award for Deer Creek Bridge
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