The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Andrew Postle, The Quill
On Tuesday, August 12, the Henderson County Board held its regular meeting at the Henderson County Courthouse in Oquawka.
Board members present were Bill Knupp, Kim Gullberg, Kurt McChesney, Janet Stubbs, Jon Corzatt, and Patty Daniels.
Absent were Todd Miller, Brad Flatt, Will Pruett, Deborah Pflasterer, and Richard Bigger Jr.
The board unanimously approved the corrected July 8 board minutes (the adjournment time was incorrect in the original minutes), claims paid in July, Health Department claims and monthly report, travel expenses for Treasurer Tina Fulk, the monthly report from the County Treasurer, and the appointment of Blake E. Roderick to the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board of Directors for a five-year term.
County Engineer Rick Walker presented resolutions for approval from the Highway Department. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reviewed the department’s files on Motor Fuel Funds and Township Bridge Funds. These reviews were unanimously approved by the board.
The Highway Department sought permission to spend funds on a new tandem truck. After reviewing bids from Mack, International, and Western Star, they determined the Western Star was the best fit.
The cost to purchase and build the truck, including warranties, would exceed $320,000. All funds for the purchase were accumulated by the Highway Department, and no money from the County’s General Fund was needed. The resolution passed unanimously.
The next resolution was for permission to spend $18,000 to re-stripe county highways, including Lock and Dam Road, Smithshire Blacktop, Keithsburg Blacktop, Raritan Road, and others. The resolution was approved unanimously.
The final resolution from the Highway Department sought funding for the replacement of the Lone Tree Ditch Bridge on County Highway 15.
The bridge is a critical structure, as the road sees significant truck traffic to and from Consolidated Grain and Barge west of Gladstone.
Current construction costs for the project are approximately $1.5 million, with an additional $140,000 for bridge inspections. The department secured a federal grant for $864,000 and plans to use $456,000 from Federal Bridge Funds and $250,000 from State Match Funds.
State Match Funds are provided by the state to counties that lack funds to meet the 20% match required for federal funding.
The Highway Department will also use $50,000 from County Bridge Funds to cover the project’s cost. The resolution was approved unanimously.
No zoning resolutions or variances were presented for approval this month. It was noted that a company would provide the final document needed to issue a building permit for the solar project south of Oquawka.
Concerns were raised about the removal of wood chips, which present a fire hazard. State’s Attorney Kristen Petrie noted that they had contact information and would reach out.
No action was taken to notify the Henderson County Supervisor of Assessments regarding non-reappointment.
Marcus Doyle will remain the Henderson County Assessor.
The board unanimously approved participation in the Purdue National Opioid Settlement, designating Tina Fulk as the county’s representative.
The funds can only be used for items or programs related to opioid addiction treatment and prevention.
Retired Sheriff Mike Branham from Lawrence County, Indiana, spoke to the board about the Sheriff App.
The app would be free to residents and provide information and links to various Henderson County agencies, including the Highway Department, Health Department, Court System, and Sheriff’s Department.
It would also allow the Sheriff and other departments to send push notifications to user’s devices about accidents, severe weather, or other local hazards.
The app will be fully customized to meet the county’s needs and will cost $29,632.50, covering development and four years of maintenance.
The Sheriff’s Department and other agencies using the app will be responsible for keeping it updated and will receive training. The company will provide full support.
Concerns were raised by Gullberg and McChesney about potential administrative challenges in updating the app.
Sheriff Matt Link noted that a protocol would need to be established for emergency situations: “Throughout the day, Dave [Staley] will be here… during overnight hours, my thought is the deputy will contact us, which they’re going to anyway, for a major incident, and then Dave or I will [create the notification].”
Carla Ewing stated that the Health Department has the resources to provide updates and information for the app.
The funds to cover the app’s costs will come from the Opioid Settlement Fund, which currently holds approximately $40,000 and the app meets the requirements for this expenditure. The county is still receiving settlement funds.
After four years, the board can renew the contract. The app provides analytics to show how many residents are using it and what content they are accessing.
Concerns were raised about whether this was the best use of the funds, but after lengthy discussion, the board concluded that the app could be a valuable resource for residents.
The expenditure was unanimously approved to use Opioid Settlement Funds for the Sheriff App.
The Ambulance Service is exploring the purchase of EKG machines for ambulances, or at least for one of the three services. Burlington expressed concern about the frequency of their calls, noting that an EKG could help rule out heart issues, reducing the need for paramedics.
Glenda Ehlen proposed a fundraiser for all three ambulance services and will work to coordinate the effort.
No executive session was needed, and the meeting adjourned shortly after 10:00 a.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, at 8:30 a.m. at the Henderson County Courthouse in Oquawka.