Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Executive Committee met March 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present: Basden II, Calandro, Comparato, Larkin, Mueller, Peterson and Scott 

Also present: Kenton Schafer, Josh Barringer, Jennifer Lindsey, Orval Rowe, Jeff Whitbeck, Robert Burns, Joe Cervantez

Approval of Minutes

I. 22-6857 Approval of February 3, 2022 minutes

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Basden II, to approve the February 3, 2022 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Communications

Larkin mentioned the Broadband Access Act bill that was approved which states that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall not award broadband grant money to a governmental entity or educational institution.

Internal Office Matters

II. 22-6858 Resource Coordinator Update

The County Administrator commented that the Resource Coordinator and herself had been working with the Jackson County Steering Team on the Accelerate Illinois Broadband Program Grant. She mentioned they were creating a community survey which will gather data on the existing state of broadband within the County. The County Administrator also informed the committee that to ensure success with the survey, incentive programs have been created. She noted that SIU Research Park has offered to assist the County by providing $5,000 to the incentive program and that the County would need to acquire and additional $7,000 from the County Board or through outside fundraising. Larkin commented that since the County had earmarked money for Broadband, the Board did not need to vote on administrative uses for the money. He noted the County Administrator could make those decisions.

Computing Services

Barringer commented that he had hired a help desk assistant. He also reminded the committee to please be aware of cyber attacks through email.

Appointments

III. 22-6859 Open Appointments in March 2022 {10}

1. 708 Mental Health Board (1)

2. Blairsville Water District (1)

3. ETSB 911 (2)

4. Jackson County Community Partnership (1)

5. Jackson/Union Regional Port District (2)

6. Liquor Advisory Board (1)

7. Noxious Weed Commissioner (1)

8. Southern Most Illinois Tourism Bureau (1)

Jackson County Sheriff's Office Conference Room

Old Business

New Business

IV. 22-6860 EMA Sheriff's Department

Burns proposed to the committee moving the EMA position under the jurisdiction of the Sherriff's Office from the County Board. Larkin questioned which union this would fall under and Burns commented that it didn't need to be under a union, but it would give the EMA protection from job loss vs. currently being an at-will employee. Larkin also questioned how the budget process would work and Burn discussed the options with the committee. Larkin commented that administratively, he was in agreement with the move, but did think that the best idea was to leave the EMA budget as a separate budget as it currently is. Peterson asked if the board could get more information regarding the research Rowe had completed concerning moving EMA's to law enforcement jurisdiction throughout the state. Rowe commented to let him know what information was needed and he would provide it.

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by Scott, to approve recommendation to the full

Board moving the EMA function under the full umbrella of the Sheriff's Office. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

V. 22-6861 Willis Building Update

This item was discussed in Executive Session.

Executive Session (5:13 PM)

A motion was made by Mueller and seconded by Comparator to go into Executive Session under 2 (c) 5 and 11 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss Real Property and Litigation. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Yes (7): Larkin, Basden, Calandro, Comparato, Mueller, Peterson, Scott

Adjourn (5:33 PM)

Comparato moved and Basden seconded to adjourn, motion carried.