The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

County Board Hears Updates

The Hancock County Board approved routine business and heard updates at its meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2014.

Economic Development Association Executive Director Dustin Berg introduced himself. Mr. Berg said he is from the Basco area, a graduate of Southeastern High School, and earned a Master's degree in economic development from Western Illinois University.

Jerry Bartell, representing the Economic Development Association, said Mr. Berg established a food coop in McDonough County and was a member of the Macomb City Planning Commission. Bartell said he has taken Mr. Berg to meet various city councils and organizations in Hancock County.

Bartell reported the following activities of the Economic Development Association task forces:

• Jobs Task Force. It has raised $105,000 to fund the Executive Director position for three years. All banks have contributed, seven municipalities have participated, and three other businesses have committed at least $5,000 each.
• Entrepreneur Task Force. It has encouraged local governments to involve youth. The La Harpe City Council has a nonvoting youth member. Warsaw's historic preservation has youth staffing their center.
• Retail Task Force. Chairman Rob Carson has created a website for retailers. Two hundred retailers have access to the website to share information to improve retail sales in Hancock County. It is not open to the public.

County Board Health Committee Chairman David Walker reported the Hancock County ambulance service has satisfied the "plan of correction" required by the Blessing Hospital trauma center. Notification was given by Randy Faxon, representing Blessing Hospital. The "plan of correction" was required in 2012. Blessing Hospital, which provides "medical control" for the ambulance service, had identified many problems with the ambulance service operations at that time.

In other business, the county board:

Approved the purchase of 10,000 gallon steel tank purchase in the amount of $1,000. It is to be used for the Hancock County Highway Department to store tree sap.

Approved a contract with Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois to mow Highway Department grounds in 2014 for $85 per mowing.

Approved returning the polling place for Pontoosuc Township Precinct Number One to the Pontoosuc Town Hall. The flood of 2008 seriously damaged the Pontoosuc Town Hall - so the polling place was temporarily moved to the Pontoosuc Community Church.

Postponed consideration of an ordinance establishing a new fee schedule for inspections and permits for food establishments. The inspections and permits are done by Hancock County Health Department. Consideration of the ordinance was requested by the Hancock County Health Department for review by the Board of Health.

The next board meeting will be held on March 18, 2014 in the Board Room, Courthouse, Carthage, at 6:30 p.m.