The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill correspondent
The Hancock County Board heard from several visitors at the start of their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Shelby Crow gave a review of youth and adult programs from of the University of Illinois Extension Service, serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties. Crow gave information about the five-county unit and specifically about Hancock County.
The local Extension office has five full-time staff dedicated to Hancock County. Crow explained a new Master Naturalist program which trains volunteers to help with individual and community needs in conservation, wildlife, plant identification and more.
Youth is the largest program for the unit, supporting 4-H and other youth education programs, such as the Ag in the Classroom partnership with the Farm Bureau. Crow thanked the county board for their support of the programs of the Extension Service.
Tim Murphy and Michelle Berry of the Soil and Water Conservation District explained their work in the county. Their efforts include explaining and creating conservation projects, renting equipment to help landowners with these projects, helping with conservation compliance in some of the government programs, and supporting youth education such as Food for Thoughts and Ag in the Classroom.
Another visitor was Blanche Shoup, Director of Work Force Office of Western Illinois. She presented a National Apprenticeship Week Proclamation, which the board approved, citing the value of these training programs to develop the work force.
At the recommendation of the Health and Miscellaneous Committee, the board approved advertising for the part time positions of animal control warden and Emergency Services and Disaster Agency director.
The committee reported on several problems arising in the new ambulances with repairs costing $20,000 to $30,000. States Attorney Bobi James is working with Truck Site, the previous owner, about who is going to pay the bill since the ambulances were sold as clean vehicles.
Finance Committee chairman, Wayne Bollin, reported on several meetings held with county office holders in preparation of the budget that will be presented for approval at the November meeting. The county fiscal year begins Dec. 1.
The board approved the transfer of $12,275 from the General Fund to the Federal Aid Matching fund for road work project grants.
The Safety, Building, Grounds and Insurance Committee was designated as the county’s required safety committee.
A supplemental engineering agreement with Klingner and Associates of $19,955 was approved for work on the project widening the Connable Road.
The board approved an agreement extension between Hancock County and Mutual Medical Plans, Inc.
Reinsurance was renewed for the employee insurance plan with Symmetra with a $30,000 stop/loss per year.
In other business, the board: