Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Executive Committee met Jan. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:03 PM)

Members Present: Calandro, Erbes, Larkin, Nehring and Peterson

Members Absent: Mueller and Snyder

Also Present: Josh Barringer, Kenton Schafer, Bart Hagston, Mitch Burdick, Mary Beth Varner, Jeff Whitbeck

Approval of Minutes

I. 20-4688 December 11, 2019 Minutes

Peterson requested to be notified when items she suggests are removed from the agenda.

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Peterson, to approve the December 11, 2019 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Communications

Peterson spoke about an article explaining the work being done in other communities that have experienced flooding. She went on to mention an artic le regarding the increase in tax levy that Carterville recently passed and the work being done in the Illinois

General Assembly to lower property taxes. Peterson also suggested that the County Administrator attend a conference for

Administrative Professionals in February.

Internal Office Matters

II. 20-4689 February Calendar Adjustments

The committee discussed that the February Real Property falls on a holiday, Larkin suggested combining the Real Property meeting with the Natural Resources Economic Development Board meeting on February 19th, the consensus is to do that. All items from Highway will be moved to the full Board meeting.

Erbes stated that Rachel Ensor wants to speak to the committee about a historic preservation project she is working on.

III. 20-4690 Administrative Assistant Search Update

The County Administrator stated that the 126 applications have been narrowed down to 8 that will be interviewed.

Larkin requested that a meeting be set up with Barke and Depa rtment heads to learn about the rights and responsibilities regarding the unions.

Computing Services

IV. 20-4691 Hiring of Additional Computing Services Staff

Barringer presented information the committee requested on the cost for an additional computing services staff member. He provided two options for staff, a tech specialist or a support specialist, along with costs and job descriptions for each of them. Nehring asked where the funding would come from, no one is sure yet. She also asked about the idea of bringing in a consultant to determine what the County needs for computing services. Larkin stated that they would most likely tell the Board what Josh has said that additional staff is needed. He went on to say that nothing can be authorized until funding is found, that is a discussion for Finance, this item will be on the Finance agenda.

Peterson asked if there was still a Cable TV Commission, there is not.

Appointments

V. 20-4692 Open Appointments in January 2020 {20}

1. 708 Board (2)

2. Animal Control Administrator (1)

3. Buncombe Water District (1)

4. Crosswalk Community AA (2)

5. Elverado Water District (3)

6. Greater Egypt RPDC (2)

7. Jackson County Housing Authority (1)

8. Jackson/Union Regional Port District (1)

9. Liquor Advisory Board (2)

10. Oraville Water District (1)

11. Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority (1)

12. Southern Most Illinois Tourism Bureau (3)

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Peterson, to approve recommendation to appoint David Larkin to the Greater Egypt board. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 4 - Calandro, Erbes, Nehring and Peterson

Absent: 2 - Mueller and Snyder

Abstain: 1 - Larkin

Old Business

Calandro informed the committee that he has been speaking with the part-time Murphysboro Animal Control Officer about the possibility of Jackson County having at least a part-time person. The Finance committee was tasked with seeing if there was any funding for this idea. Peterson mentioned the idea of a cooperative agreement with Carbondale for their Animal Control Officer to work with the County.

New Business

VI. 20-4693 Public Defender Quarterly Reports

The committee reviewed the third and fourth quarter reports from the Public Defenders office.

Larkin informed everyone that an agreement betweenSIH and HOPE Trust has been reached.

Peterson stated that the Jackson Growth Alliance has a new Executive Director, Brooke Guthman.

Burdick clarified that if he has budgeted to spend money he does not need to get permission from the board before doing the purchase.

Executive Session

Adjourn

Erbes moved and Calandro seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

https://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=5111&isPub=True&includeTrash=False