Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Executive Committee met March 2.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

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

Members Absent: Nehring and Snyder

Also present: Josh Barringer, Mitch Burdick, Liz Hunter, Bart Hagston, Sheriff Robert Burns, Jennifer Lindsey, and Orval Rowe

Approval of Minutes

I. 20-4907 March 5, 2020 minutes

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Calandro, to approve the March 5,2020 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chairman's Remarks

Larkin noted that the county had not planned for the additional workload due to the Covid-19 virus. He mentioned that there would need to be some budget moves by the treasurer's office to help support the overtime issues for the sheriff's office and EMT. Larkin also noted that the sheriff's office received a check reimbursement from last years flood which would be helpful to the County during this time.

Internal Office Matters

II. 20-4908 May Calendar

The May meetings calendar was presented and no changes were made.

Computing Services

Larkin asked Barringer if there were any foreseeable issues with technology. Barringer responded that with general services related issues, there were no problems. Barringer also noted that with regard to hardware issues, getting more mobile d evices would be an issue. For now, no noted issues with IT.

Appointments

III. 20-4909 Open Appointments in April 2020 {24}

1. 708 Board (3)

2. Animal Control Administrator (1)

3. Buncombe Water District (1)

4. Elverado Water District (2)

5. ETSB 911 (2)

6. Jackson County Housing Authority (1)

7. Jackson/Union Regional Port District (1)

8. Liquor Advisory Board (2)

9. Jackson County Mass Transit (2)

10. Merit Commission (1)

11. Murdale Water District (1)*

12. MPS Fire Protection (1)

12. Natural Resources Economic Development Board (1)

13. Oraville Water District (1)

14. Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority (1)

15. Southern Most Illinois Tourism Bureau (2)*

16. South Highway Water District (1)*

No motion was made on the Southern Most Illinois Tourism Bureau appointment.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve the appointment of Harry Gilmore to the Murdale Water District. The motion carried by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Erbes, to approve the appointment of Kenneth Akins to MPS Fire Protection District Board. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Calandro, to approve the appointment of Kenneth Buzbee to the South Highway Water District. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IV. 20-4910 Upcoming Open Appointments in May 2020 {4}

1. Buncombe Water District (1)

2. Elverado Water District (1)

3. Lakeside Water District (1)

4. Oraville Water District (1)

Old Business

New Business

Erbes mentioned some safety concerns for the courthouse. Larkin asked Calandro to speak with the Sheriff to see what could be done. Mueller mentioned some Facebook activity concerning the City of Carbondale and citizen issues with the trash collection.

Larkin asked the County Administrator to speak to the IRS fine of $670,000. Prior to the current county administrator, 1095's were not filed for 2016-2018. Now the county is being fined $670,000 oer year that was not filed. Jackson County is now current on the 1095 filing and is working with Leslie Williams and the IRS to mitigate these fines. The hope is that these fines will be aba ted. Larkin commented on the current professionalism implemented with the current County Administrator and that this is a success story that should be used to build competency with any new positions created for the County.

V. 20-4911 Temporary FT Covid Coordinator/Liason

Larkin commented that he has been receiving multiple emails on ways to mitigate damage to people affected by the COVID-19 virus. Currently there is no one in the County with this information that can reciprocate it to the community, therefore Larkin asked Comparato and Erbes to work together to create a temporary full time position in the County Board office to disseminate information to citizens and assist with finding and applying for COVID-19 grants. Erbes commented that while he liked the job description and felt that getting the information to the public right away is important, he felt there was no need for a full time person right away (maybe part time) and that he felt it would be more effective later when the county moves to a recovery phase after the pandemic. Mueller responded that she agreed with both Erbes and Larkin. She also felt this position should be part time but that it should be something that is created now versus later. Mueller also wanted to understand the budget better and where the money would come from to pay this person due to the comments from the March County Board Meeting surrounding paying the board members per diems. Larkin commented that he thought those March comments were uncalled for and that they were not good faith arguments. Larkin also mentioned that this would give the County a chance to put the residents tax dollars to work for them and that this was an opportunity to make a real difference in the County. Peterson commented that some things that are applied for could be a liability for the County and that the County should try to partner with Greater Egypt and the Jackson Growth Alliance. Callandro agreed that this is a position that needs filled right away and that it is something that the County needs to stay on top of. No motion was made to approve the temporary full time COVID coordinator/liaison job descripti on. Peterson and Mueller agreed to read over the job description and the item would be discussed at the full April County Board meeting.

VI. 20-4912 Suspension of Sales Tax

The County Administrator spoke about the question of ways to suspend the sales tax temporarily to add relief for the residents. After review, it was concluded that the County could only send the sales tax checks back to the state and that there was no guarantee the money would come back to Jackson County.

Executive Session

Adjourn

Erbes moved and Calandro seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

https://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=5157&isPub=True&includeTrash=False