Logan County Briefs:
Board members to present sales tax referendum for courthouse repairs to clubs and organizations
SHOWBUS takes over public transportation

[January 26, 2018] 

LINCOLN

On Tuesday, January 23, the Logan County Board held its Regular monthly meeting voting on items from several committees and hearing brief updates.

Chairman's report and update on courthouse repairs

Board Chairman Chuck Ruben asked board members to get out to the public and talk about the [public safety] sales tax. Ruben said board members have talked to the Rotary and various news agencies to keep the public informed of what is going on.

Board member Kevin Bateman said it is important to explain it as one-half of one penny or .0050 of a dollar. If you spend $100 the tax would be fifty cents.

Bateman said it is on non-food items. Food and medical supplies are not affected by the tax. This tax affects everyone who spends money in the county, whether it is on fuel, going to the races, or eating at a restaurant.

The proposed public safety tax will help pay for needed repairs at the 112-year-old Logan County Courthouse. In the past few weeks, the 139 stained-glass panels in the dome were taken down and are being stored in crates until they can be restored. The people who took down the glass dome were very thorough and have a "vested history" in the building. A structural engineer who did "a thorough assessment" of the steel in the building that reinforces the dome said it is very sturdy and still looks good.

Votes and motions

Transportation Committee update

Transportation Chairman Kevin Bateman's motioned to give SHOWBUS decision making authority for operations for LMPT for six months.

Schaffenacker asked whether that meant the board would not hear from SHOWBUS until August.

Bateman said SHOWBUS may come and report before summer if needed He said since SHOWBUS runs "an extremely successful transportation program in other counties," the committee feels it would be best to allow SHOWBUS to "implement the best public transportation that will fit within our parameters that we set forward."

Bateman said SHOWBUS will decide stops and running times that best fit the county's needs.

Ruben said SHOWBUS will still report to Program Compliance Oversight Manager Brenda Clark, but SHOWBUS has expertise in running transportation programs.

Bateman said the county would still get to maintain the Logan Mason Public Transportation name and logo as well as some of the vehicles.

Building and Grounds Committee update

Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Kevin Bateman’s motion for the Veteran’s Assistance Commission to move into the John A. Logan building once Economic Development moves out was unanimously approved.

The Veteran's Assistance Commission currently has an office in the courthouse.

Joe Schaler of the VAC said they plan to make a few modifications such as adding a partition to separate the VAC office from the Assessor’s office. A few issues need to be checked out before the move.

Bateman said since it is a government building, they need to make sure the design fits in with ADA compliance as far as door width and egress.

Board Chairman Chuck Ruben said the VAC will "stand" the costs. The VAC has talented people to draw upon.

Bateman said with the VAC vacating their office space in the courthouse, that office may possibly be converted into an office for Public Defenders and out of town attorneys who come in for court cases to use. They previously did not have office space.

Building and Grounds items approved as part of the consent agenda use of Scully Park on July 28, 2018 by Open Arms Christian Fellowship for Family Fun Day and a motion to approve the use of Scully Park on June 1-3, 2018 for the Oasis Craft Fair during Pigs 'n Swigs.

Planning and Zoning Committee update

Planning and Zoning Chairman Scott Schaffenacker's motion to approve an independent third party to prepare a Decommissioning Plan for Swift Current Energy was unanimously approved.

This motion was amended from the original motion to approve Energy Venture Analysis as an independent third party to prepare a Decommissioning Plan for Swift Current Energy. Schaffenacker said the company had sent an email to the Planning and Zoning Committee earlier in the day stating they did not have the ability to do the Decommissioning Plan.

The committee will now be choosing between three other firms: Patrick Engineering and firms from Kansas and Oklahoma.

Insurance/Legislative/Liquor Committee updates

Insurance, Legislative, and Liquor Committee Chairman Annette Welch's motion to approve auditing standards for local units of government was unanimously approved.

Ruben said this motion allows the board to send a letter to the legislature asking them not to adopt the mobile government standards they are trying to impose on county boards. He said it would be "very costly auditing standards" and since the county is already under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), there is no reason for it. Ruben said it is the position of the County Association that boards should not be made to follow the mobile government standards.

Road and Bridge Committee update

The board approved four motions brought forward by Road and Bridge Committee Chairman Bob Farmer. These motions included:

a. A motion to approve a resolution to allow Highway Department to join Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN).

County Highway Engineer Bret Aukamp said it would be pending State's Attorney Jonathan Wright's review.

At the board workshop January 11, Aukamp said joining this network helps communities lend aid to one another after natural disaster and would make the county eligible for FEMA funding. It costs $250 per year to join the Network.

b. A motion to approve a resolution to appropriate funding as a local match to construct a box culvert near Burtonview.

c. A motion to approve a resolution for County Aid request from Mount Pulaski Township and appropriate $10,000 from County Bridge Fund to place riprap under a bridge on 1350th Ave.

d. A motion to approve a resolution for a County Aid request from Mount Pulaski Township and to appropriate $17,500 from the County Bridge Fund to place riprap under a bridge on 1400th Ave.

Executive and Personnel Committee update

Executive and Personnel Chairman Emily
Davenport's motion to accept the Sexual Harassment Policy as written and corrected by the State’s Attorney was unanimously approved.

Finance Committee update

Finance Committee Chairman David Hepler's motion to approve Tax Anticipation Warrants was unanimously approved.

Eleven board members were present: Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, Janet Dahmm, Emily Davenport, Bob Farmer, David Hepler, Gene Rohlfs, Bob Sanders, Scott Schaffenacker and Annette Welch, with Board Chairman Chuck Ruben presiding. Gloria Luster was absent.

The next Regular Board meeting will be held in the Logan County Courthouse Tuesday, February 20 at 7 p.m.

[Angela Reiners]