The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen Correspondent
The Hancock County Public Transportation System provided 2,581 rides to residents during the third quarter. These rides included 147 to the general public, 577 to senior citizens, and 1,857 to clients of the Mental Health Center during the quarter Jan. 1 to March 31, 2018.
Nathan Cobb, public transportation director, gave information on the system and asked the county to continue the service at their board meeting June 19.
The board approved a resolution to extend the contract through Aug. 31, 2018, with Durham Transportation, the City of Macomb and Hancock County, to provide this service for residents.
They agreed to apply for a Public Transportation Capital Assistance Grant.
Cobb explained that a "ride" is a one-way trip. Trips include out-of-county non-emergency medical trips within 2 hours as well as in-county rides. Contracts are maintained with the Mental Health Center and the Area Agency on Aging, as well as being open to anyone as space permits.
Board members Don Little and mark Menn have volunteers to be on the Public Transportation staff negotiation committee.
Jeff McPherson of Gray, Hunter, Stenn of Quincy gave the audit report for the fiscal year from Dec. 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017. Since the county received less than $750,000 in federal funds in that fiscal year, the audit was simpler and less costly.
He noted the General Fund balance declined by $79,637 during that year, about 2 percent of the total General Fund spending. The board approved the motion to approve the audit.
A consent agenda of contracts was approved for the following work:
Due to the late date this year for property tax payments, the board approved tax anticipation warrants of $272,000 for the County Highway Fund, and anticipation warrants of $100,000 for the County Bridge Fund.
An engineering agreement for $40,000 with Klingner and Associates of Quincy was approved for a bridge replacement in Pilot Grove Township.
A First Responders course is being offered in Warsaw and is open to anyone at no cost. Anyone interested can call Lisa Weeks at 319-795-3937 for information about the course. Tom Rogers of Warsaw noted that First Responders can arrive at an incident sooner than an ambulance crew and begin treatment.
The prevailing wage ordinance was approved for the county. Several members from construction and building trade unions addressed the board about the resolution.
Bob Dowell of rural Niota brought up a problem of weeds on property near his home. The property is owned by Prairie Hills Resource, Conservation and Development. He was referred to the Building and Grounds Committee that is considering a noxious weed ordinance and hiring a weed control superintendent.
The board approved to allow the county tax agent Joseph E. Meyer and Associates, to convey property at 118 E. Main in La Harpe from the county to the city of La Harpe "to assist in its efforts to remediate the property and safeguard the citizens of that community."