The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, correspondent
The Hancock County board heard reports from three agencies at the beginning of their regular meeting June 18.
Kamryn Schrepfer from the accounting firm of Gray Hunter and Stenn gave the annual audit report for the fiscal year ending Nov. 20, 2018.
In her comments and recommendations, Schrepfer noted there are still some concerns about ambulance service third party billing and write-offs for Medicaid and Medicare. However, she stressed this is a "vast improvement" over past years.
The ambulance service is working to document write-offs that are the result of "contractual adjustment", meaning the difference in the amount billed, versus the amount Medicaid and Medicare will pay. Terry Griffen, ambulance coordinator, said they are working to separate these "write-off" issues from other non-payment due to bad debts.
"By next year, I don't think it will be an issue," Schrepfer said.
Schrepfer gave a summary of the county general fund expenses and income for the past year. She said the county audit is on the accrual method, which shows a net loss for the year, because this includes depreciation figures on roads and bridges as well as equipment.
The audit report was approved by the board.
Nathan Cobb, director of Hancock County Transportation Service, gave the board a quarterly report of income, expenses and ridership for the county service.
At the end of the third quarter, the service had provided 7,747 rides, including 183 out-of-county rides for non-emergency medical visits. They traveled 79,778 miles in the first three quarters.
Cobb said an increase in the general public riders came from helping Illini West High School take some disabled students to a retreat.
Funds for the service come from state and federal grants as well as contracts for service with the Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois and West Central Area Agency on Aging.
Mike McCaughey from Cason, Huff & Schlueter Insurance Agency reported on his work in the county. He said he had been meeting with county departments, working on the idea of loss control to help employees be safe as they do their jobs. His agency covers county liability insurance and Workman's Compensation.
The county approved contracts to replace two bridges. The first is in Rock Creek Township on 1300 East, at Sheridan Creek, five miles northwest of Ferris. This was awarded to County Contractors Inc. of Quincy for $259,584, with the state paying 80 percent, and the county and township sharing the remaining 20 percent of the cost.
A contract for a bridge in Augusta Township on 2500 East at Flour Creek was awarded to County Contractors Inc. for $39,210, also with the 80-20 percent split between the state and county/township.
The board approved the bid for a corrugated steel plate pipe arch to replace a bridge in Prairie Township on 1700 East, from Metal Culverts of Jefferson City, Mo., for $22,882. Prairie Township Motor Fuel Tax funds will pay for the project.
Material supply contracts with Metal Culverts were approved for steel corrugated culverts and fabricated pieces.
The Miscellaneous and Health committee heard a report from ESDA director, Jack Curfman, on high water and road closures during recent heavy rainfall and flooding.
Curfman stressed that sandbags must be disposed properly and cannot be thrown into the river. This EPA violation will be reported.
Kris Pilkington reported the county property taxes are coming in, and she will be making the first distribution to taxing bodies around the first of July.
A memorandum of understanding by the Hancock County Health Department related to their payment for electronic and paint recycling was tabled for further information.