Board Releases Closed Session Minutes on Ambulance Contract Negotiations

The minutes from closed sessions of the Effingham County Board in February and March that related to contract negotiations for ambulance services have now been released.

Board member Elizabeth Huston had gone to the Illinois Attorney General's Office, saying that those meetings should not have taken place in closed session. 

Board Chairman Jim Niemann said he still believes he was "justified to use closed session" on the issue. He said in a written statement shared at the close of Monday's meeting that the delays in awarding the 911 contract made it uncertain whether Rural Med, the firm that got the contract, would be ready to provide service when the prior contract with Abbott EMS expired April 30. Niemann's statement read, "If this was discussed in open meeting, and the Board learned Rural Med would not be ready on May 1, it would have been possible for the previous provider to make even greater demands on the county, which could have reduced service and coverage even more than their proposed contractual changes." Niemann's statement continued, "Until the discussions occurred in closed session, it was impossible to know what the discussion would reveal, or board member concerns would be, that could delay the Rural Med starting on May 1, thus exposing the county residents to the potential of reduced ambulance services."

Huston was not present for Monday's meeting.

Also Monday, the Board awarded a proposal for cooling towers to serve the county buildings to Sycamore Engineers of Terre Haute, Indiana, for $141,471. The Sycamore bid was not the lowest, but Sheriff Paul Kuhns said he has worked with them in the past and encouraged the Board to go with them. The Sycamore bid was about $2,000 more than the low bid.

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel, who oversees local elections, reminded that Early Voting for the June primary begins at 8am Thursday. Hirtzel said he is "hopeful" that ballots will be ready. He said there are still a couple of contested election filings affecting the ballot for Effingham County voters.

(DAVID KINKELAAR AND COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN)

The Board honored David Kinkelaar on his retirement after 26 years of service with the Effingham County Sheriff's Department and recognized Michelle Kollman for 25 years of service with the Effingham County Clerk and Recorder's Office.

(MICHELLE KOLLMAN AND COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN)

A series of appointments were approved, including Gary Horn as a Dieterich Fire District trustee, Scott Brumleve as a Teutopolis Fire District trustee, Phil Toops to the Airport Commission, Henry Verdeyen and Jim Ping to the Board of Review, Todd Hull to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority, and Amanda McKay to the Childcare Research Committee.

The Board approved a permanent public utility easement agreement with the City of Effingham, approved an Illinois EPA solid waste planning grant to upgrade the county's solid waste plan, approved the return of the Farmer's Market on the Courthouse Museum lawn and food trucks on the Courthouse parking lot for 2022, approved a $1,000 donation for fireworks for EdgewoodFest at the end of June, approved the U of I Extension Budget totaling $94,000.

Board members approved a payment from ARPA funds to Civil Design for $3,247 for work on the Courthouse Gazebo and Patio project, approved the purchase of four vehicles using ARPA funds including one for Animal Control, one for EMA, and two for general County use; amended the salary schedule for county non-union employees including an adjustment to the incoming sheriff's salary that according to state statute has to amount to at least 80% of the State's Attorney's salary, amended the county budget to reflect changes in the airport outlay, approved the salary schedule for other elected officials, approved contracts for inmate tracking and correctional health care.

The Board also approved the use of Motor Fuel Tax money for Fiscal Year 2021, approved a series of transportation projects, and met in closed session on contract negotiations with the Probation Department staff, but took no action.

Economic Development Committee Chairman Dave Campbell reminded that more than $50,000 in development funds are available to those interested in starting or expanding a county business. Contact the County Board office at 217-342-4990 for more information.