Jersey County Board holds regular meeting

By Editor | October 18, 2023 |

By Cory Davenport

The Oct. 11 meeting of the Jersey County Board started as usual with the pledge and a prayer with the prayer taking into account the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Following the unanimous approval of September’s minutes and payment of bills, two individuals delivered remarks during public comment. The first, John Hefner, issued a plea to the board to look past partisan politics. He referenced the board’s conclusion to not appoint former Jersey County Board President Don Little to a temporary position on the county’s health board, because the majority of the board openly stated they would like to appoint conservative candidates as they are a conservative board. Hefner, who declared himself a “centrist” said he would like to see the board put politics to the side when selecting community leaders.

“I find it ironic [Little] only a short time ago was elected chair of this board twice, by unanimous votes,” he said. “And now, for whatever reason, you don’t feel like he is worthy and/or qualified for a 60-day appointment to an outside organization. To me, this reversal smacks of political partisanship.”

Hefner said he was not there to “canvas for Don Little,” but did say he wanted to see those partisan divides put to the side when the board would be called to decide whether or not another candidate, Gib Ashlock would be called to fill that board position for the next two years, plus a month.

Hefner is the husband of Jersey County Board Member Sandy Hefner, who herself voted in favor of Little’s appointment. John Hefner said he and his wife often do not disagree on political issues, but said they disagree with respect and care for the common good.

The second round of public comments came from Jersey County Board Member Kenneth Grizzle who called on the board to brainstorm methods to assist Pere Marquette State Park. He described it as “the crown jewel of the county.” He lamented the park had many facilities needing repairs and upgrades. He said the State of Illinois was of little assistance to these issues, adding the park has a much larger budget for land acquisition than for hiring folks to keep these things managed.

He closed his time for public comment by warning all in the room that the “world is changing fast,” adding “in 30-60 days, you won’t recognize this country, so prepare.” He closed his statement by saying “Christ is coming, live accordingly.” He did not expound as to why the country would not be recognizable in the coming months.

As the meeting continued, the board voted unanimously to raise the salary of the county highway engineer, Thomas Klasner, by five percent to $113,022, which Jersey County Board Chair Gary Krueger described as “a bargain.” The board then voted unanimously to approve a $50,000 transfer for construction of a bridge in Mississippi Township. The majority of the cost ($320,000) would be coming from the state.

County Board Representative Jeremy Beasley then asked Klasner about the Fieldon Hollow bridge. Klasner said the project had moved forward to environmental sign-offs, which could take upwards of six months to attain. Beasley inquired as to who would actually build those bridges, and Klasner said they take it to bid with pre-qualified contractors approved through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Beasley then presented a plan to accept bids for cameras on the county building as well as storage to keep videos. It passed unanimously.

The board then voted unanimously again to approve a new insurance plan for county workers, which was described as “cost efficient.” It has a higher deductible, but lower premium than the current policy, but worked through the county to lower the deductible. It was also approved by representatives from the police union of the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office, whose union contract was approved unanimously earlier in the meeting.

A new vehicle for the county coroner was also approved. An aging two-wheel drive van would be replaced by a 2023 Ford Expedition at a lowered cost from a local Ford dealership. This was passed unanimously after the explanation for the purchase was safety and accessibility in rural winter weather.

Voters will face a future ballot initiative, which would increase sales taxes by half a percent, which would equate to around 50 cents for every $100. Rep. Beasley asked Jersey County Sheriff Nicholas Manns if population or crime increased enough to require that. Manns said many of his deputies were working overtime and they needed more folks to cover things such as drugs and fill spots left by deputies who have gone to other positions, such as school resources officers. Manns also revealed the sheriff’s office was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Jersey County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1893, as well as the jail inside it.

While the ballot measure passed unanimously, Beasley declared he was only voting for people to be able to choose it for themselves. He added he would personally vote against it – as he is personally opposed to all tax increases.

Jersey County Board Member Eric Ivers preceded a vote for a $6,000 grant for Jerseyville’s iconic Downtown Country Christmas, saying the vote goes against board policy. He said they needed to change the ordinance to reflect it being something the board can do and is supposed to do. He strongly suggested the ordinance be changed and sent to legislative committee, however he still voted in favor of it, despite describing it as “iffy.” Beasley was the only nay vote.

Pam Warford, Jersey County clerk, requested election judges get a $20 raise in order to receive a conditional, but ongoing, grant from the State of Illinois. This would raise the salary of election judges to $200 with the State of Illinois formerly reimbursing $45 per judge. Upon the passing of this salary raise, the state would reimburse an additional $20. Beasley inquired how many election judges are required per election. Warford said smaller elections get three at least per polling place, but presidential elections require around five. Warford said she would like to see five judges each election at each site. This would total around 110 judges per election. The resolution passed unanimously.

The board then unanimously passed measures to abate bond payments and deed out seven properties in which the owners failed to pay sales taxes, described as mostly empty lots, which had already been sold.

Only Grizzle voted against the appointment of Gilbert Ashlock to the Jersey County Public Health Board. He described his vote as a vote against the process and not “a vote against Gib.” That process of the board determining board members may be mandated by law, but the board disagreed with how it should be handled. Beasley said he had not spoken to the candidates for these positions and would like to at least meet them before he voted for them. Mark Wagner compared the board’s refusal to approve candidates chosen by the other boards to the state telling the county board what to do. Ivers argued he did not mind the state informing the board, because he wanted to act entirely within the law, adding the law states the board must approve these candidates. Ultimately Grizzle added he wants more information on candidates before he is expected to vote on them, saying he refuses to vote on anyone about whom he knows nothing.

After that, a member of the public asked how the board would get rid of the coroner’s van after purchasing the new vehicle. He was told it would probably go to public auction.

There was no closed session. The board unanimously voted to approve mileage and per diem expenses and adjourn.