The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Two visitors addressed the Hancock County Board at the beginning of their meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Shelby Crow represented the University of Illinois Extension Service and outlined work done in the county by the local Hancock County Extension Service office.
Beginning with the 4-H program, she said a new livestock judging program has started with 17 youth ages 8 to 19 practicing for the state competition later this spring.
Since last October, 45 new members have joined 4-H bringing the total to 160 in seven community based clubs. In addition, there are special interest “spin” groups such as shooting sports. The community is encouraged to come to the 4-H Fair July 10 to 13 and see what the 4-Hers have accomplished.
Five Hancock County Federation members are taking part in “Speaking for Illinois.” They are trained to speak on behalf of 4-H to elected officials throughout Illinois.
Dawn Weinberg continues with “Ag in the Classroom,” taking lessons about agriculture to every elementary classroom in the county, in partnership with Hancock County Farm Bureau.
Staffing in the local office includes three full time and two part time positions. A couple of openings remain unfilled. These educators and others around the five-county unit respond to questions and concerns of farmers and residents.
Laura Donahue spoke concerning the Navigator CO2 pipeline that is proposed to extend through Hancock County and 12 other Illinois counties. While Navigator recently withdrew its first application for the project, the company plans to refile the same plan with two more counties added.
“The refiling has no impact on Hancock. It is simply the addition of Sangamon and Montgomery counties,” Donahue said. “So it doesn’t change anything. It is an expansion not a retraction.”
Hancock County has joined a class action lawsuit in opposition to the pipeline. State’s Attorney Bobbi James said the county has paid $21,000 so far in fees. The proposed 1,300-mile pipeline route travels through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
The board renewed an agreement between Hancock County Public Transportation and Memorial Hospital from January to December of 2023. The agreement reflects the change from Durham School Services to City of Macomb as provider.
The agreements for transportation with Memorial Hospital, Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois and WIAAA meet the local match base needed for the grants that provide most of the funds for Hancock County Public Transportation.
The board learned that bid details for the sale of the county EMS buildings are finalized and will be published. Aaron Feagain now has ambulance billing up to date, and has sent proper documentation for use of a $25,000 HRSA grant received during the pandemic.
The board approved construction of a wall and door to be built in the EMS building to provide HIPAA security for patient files.
The board discussed the need for information that explains the referendum for an increase in the ambulance tax rate, that will be put to voters in April.
The Ambulance Advisory Board members were approved. Those serving four-year terms on the board are Dr. Max Rodeffer, Tim Parrish, Raigan Brown, Brenda Allen and Samantha Harnack.
Two batteries for ambulance Life Packs from Stryker costing $519 each were approved.
Mike Wright was appointed animal Control Warden from March 1 to Nov. 30.
The board approved reimbursing county employees for an Air Evac membership, since the membership can not be included in the negotiated insurance package.
The board discussed use of $22,898 in opioid reimbursement funds coming to the county. They named Treasurer Kris Pilkington as the county contact for those funds.
In other action, the board: