County Board Again Declines Action on Lakeside EMS

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Published on September 17 2018 6:02 pm
Last Updated on September 18 2018 8:40 am
Written by Greg Sapp

(COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN READS THE DOCUMENT PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 3-9 AS NATIONAL 4-H WEEK IN EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 4-Hers ANGEL HARRINGTON AND JACOB DOEDTMAN LOOK ON)

The Effingham County Board Monday again delayed action on a letter of authorization allowing Lakeside EMS to operate in the county.

Lakeside wanted authorization to operate in the county, but the County Board has so far not granted the authorization since they already have a contract with Abbott EMS to provide service in the county.

The Board had asked the Court to prohibit Lakeside from operating in the county, but Judge Jim Eder denied that request. In making his ruling, the judge wondered whether the Board has the authority to regulate ambulance service beyond emergency service. A telephone conference call is set for September 26 during which the parties will see whether the Board wants to pursue a temporary or permanent injunction against Lakeside operating in the county. 

Coroner candidate Gerry Kingery asked the Board to authorize Lakeside, saying to have another service available is good. County Board Chairman Jim Niemann replied that the County has a contract with Abbott, and that "running this through the Court" will settle the matter.

Acting County Treasurer Mary Behl announced that a disbursement of county property tax revenue will be made by direct deposit later this week to almost 90 taxing bodies totaling $29,866,823.70. County Clerk and Chief Election Authority Kerry Hirtzel announced that September 18 is the first date for petitions for the spring election to be circulated. Hirtzel said, "So we are working on two elections. The County Clerk's Office is busy." Attention is already being paid to the November election.

The Board met briefly in closed session on a contract proposal from the Fraternal Order of Police for employees of the Circuit Clerk's Office, but there was no action on the matter.

The Board also voted to authorize Chairman Jim Niemann to seek a one-year extension of an agreement with DevNet Incorporated, the firm that provides software for real estate tax and vital records service in the County. Board member John Perry asked that bids be sought to determine the low bidder for such service. 

Supervisor of Assessments Pam Braun countered that there is no other vendor that supplies all such services. However, extending the current agreement by one year would give County officials time to see whether other vendors exist and, if so, have interest in making a proposal.

The Board accepted Blue Cross/Blue Shield's health insurance renewal rates of 3.8%, and also approved a one-year health insurance incentive. It was decided to proclaim October 3-9 as National 4-H Week in Effingham County and to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

The Board adopted a supplement to the Code of County Ordinances; removed Aaron Snyder from the Waste Management Committee as his work has taken him out of the area; tabled a vote on appropriating $3,500 until the Tax and Finance Committee gets more information from the Probation Department on the reason for the allocation; and reappointed City Economic Development Director Todd Hull to the Economic Development Advisory Board.

Two transportation improvements projects were approved. One is to install a box culvert known as the Moccasin Bridge for just over $82,000, the other is to replace a drainage structure on the Effingham-Shelby County line north of Shumway, west of Illinois Route 32. Effingham County will cover 65% of the cost, Shelby County 35% based on the EAV of each county.

Board member Karen Luchtefeld was not present for Monday's meeting.