Southern Illinois News

Hardin County Commissioners met Oct. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the commissioners:

All Commissioners were present. Commissioner Candidate, Tim Striker was present. Staff recited the pledge at 9:00. Purchase orders and bills were reviewed and signed. Pending issues were discussed with the following resolutions approved and signed:

V101-189 Minutes of October 2, 2018: 

1 st -Rogers 2 nd -Beaman Roll call; Crowe-yes, Beaman-yes, Rogers-yes

V101-190 Reallocation: Veteran’s 

1 st -Beaman 2 nd -Rogers Roll call: Crowe-yes, Beaman-yes, Rogers-yes

V101-191 Hire JFS: SSW2 J. Launder $17.86 per hour with 130 day probation 10/15/18 

1 st -Rogers 2 nd -Beaman Roll call: Crowe-yes, Rogers-yes, Beaman-yes

V101-192 Additional Appropriation: Real Estate Settlement 

1 st -Beaman 2 nd -Rogers Roll call: Rogers-yes, Beaman-yes, Crowe-yes

V101-193 Pay Increase JFS New Hires Due to Collective Bargaining, Smith/Launder 

1 st -Beaman 2 nd -Rogers Roll call: Beaman-yes, Crowe-yes, Rogers-yes

V101-194 Bills 

1 st -Rogers 2 nd -Beaman Roll call: Beaman-yes, Crowe-yes, Rogers-yes

V101-195 Precision Plumbing approval $1480, N02, to repair cast iron pipe in basement 

1 st -Beaman 2 nd -Rogers Roll call; Crowe-yes, Rogers-yes, Beaman-yes

Commissioner Beaman asked if providing “uniform” shirts for employees was a good idea? Commissioners Rogers and Crowe thought a good idea so the public would know who they are. Short sleeve polo or long sleeve button down. Commissioners will pick out the options. This involves the GIS, IT, EMA Departments. Housekeeping and Maintenance currently wear uniform tops.

Tim Striker noted a painter is coming in the area today to start a new project for the State Historical Society. He will be painting Jacob Parrott’s image on a barn on SR 68S.

Jon Cross and Jacqualine Fitzgerald, Alliance, noted several grand openings, ribbon cuttings and remodels in the area. Jon noted a lot of commercial as well as downtown interest and investment dollars. Housing is a concern with people wanting to move back to Hardin County. Jon asked what the commissioners are considering for the Alliance of conveyance fees in 2019? Commissioner Crowe: Commissioners have discussed a maximum, not a cap, of $80,000 of 2019 conveyance fees for the Alliance. The County will need those excess funds due to cuts to the county general fund. They will discuss further and let the Alliance know when time to renew the agreement. Jon says there is no conflict of his being State Rep as well as involved in the Alliance per a state opinion. Scenarios were discussed on how this could work. They do have a transition plan in place. Some board member positions need filled.

IT Committee met for their quarterly meeting. Present were Sandy Bookmyer, Larry Gossard, Nate Rodenberger, Luke Underwood and Commissioner Rogers. Larry called the meeting to order with a quorum. Larry noted Nate is doing a great job. An outside consultant did some work on the Prosecutor’s network for over 3 hours. Nate was able to resolve within one hour. Sandy also noted the Board of Elections is quite pleased with Nate. They will use the former IT Coordinator for this election for the last time. Commissioner Crowe noted he heard LEPC and Rd Cross have no internet? Nate has not been informed. He has worked to restore in the past. They do not have phones yet due to a move. Sheriff’s Office phones are fine but no support. He is considering a move to the counties network. Nate asked the commissioners: Spectrum has not responded to Nate. Should he continue with Windstream and negotiate the cost? Or start the process over? Safety Center currently has Spectrum for internet. It appears their monthly bill will go up. Can this be negotiated? Use the whole county to negotiate, or switch over to Spectrum. We have two more years in the agreement. What if his system fails in the mean-time? Where are the phones? Should be at the local Windstream. The main Windstream trunk into Kenton was taken out by an accident on Tuesday. Nate will inform Windstream for the credit. Redundancy? None yet? If the county does not give notice, to Windstream, of ending the contract, it will automatically renew. Nate will get with Spectrum to discuss a potential switch. Larry will review the contract language. Commissioner Rogers left for the day. Commissioner Crowe asked for a recommendation from the IT Committee for the budget increase. At 11:17 Larry moved to enter Executive Session. Luke Second. All ayes. Commissioner Crowe was invited to the meeting to discuss personnel and wages. At 11:26 Larry announced the end of Executive Session. Larry moved to make a recommendation of 3% salary increase to the commissioners. Sandy second. All ayes. No other business. Luke moved to adjourn, Sandy second. All ayes. Next meeting January 10, 2019.

Max Trachsel and Jacob Burgbacher, EMA/Loss Control met with the commissioners to review the Loss Control incentives due February 2019. Cyber Security on-line course for new hires, can be done easily. Facility Dude is taken care of. Drivers Course-new hires need to take on-line. Employment Policy update needs done. CORSA said to review our policy with CORSA’s Best Practice and hire Albrect, Downey firm. This is costly. Max suggested the commissioners change their choice. Commissioner Crowe noted change will be made to a Supervisory Training in place of a new policy manual. Discussion was held on the pros and cons of creating a Human Resource position.

Commissioner Crowe moved, upon the recommendation of Richard Lawson, to approve the replacement to the third floor air conditioning unit by Jack’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Inc. a Carrier heat pump, air handler, line flush, thermostat, pump ups, crane and labor at a cost of $11,306 to come from Capital Improvement N000-N02. Commissioner Beaman second. Roll call: Beaman-yes, Crowe-yes, Rogers-absent. V101-196

http://www.co.hardin.oh.us/docs/minutes10042018.pdf