For nearly 2 hours, Hamilton County board members tackled issues Tuesday night. Prior to formal business, Hamilton County Bi-Centennial Co Chairs Andy Rubenacker and Jerry Prince unveiled the Bicentennial logo, available in this story on our website at wrul.com. The gentlemen also laid out their plans to commemorate the event on February 8th.
In department reports, the board got an update from Clark Griffith of the Hamilton County Health Department. Specifically with regards to the vaccination plan, Griffith says it’s difficult because they’re only getting 100 doses per week. A clinic is being held today (Wednesday, 1/20/21) at the McLeansboro firehouse and he expects people will be lined up before 1pm and doses won’t last long.
Griffith says hopefully there will be more availability of the vaccine soon.
Police Chief and EMA Director for the county Nathan Taylor echoed the sentiment urging residents to remain calm if they couldn’t get the vaccine today.
Dorothy Smith gave the ETSB Board report saying that in 2020, Hamilton County received a total of 1,596 9-1-1 calls or about 133 per month. Board member Chad May, unavailable to be present gave an update on the Ambulance Service. He says the state has approved the application to be a provider and an inspection is pending. A certification and license will follow. Details are being worked out with Mike Harre, the county’s lone ambulance provider to lease the ambulance barn. Ultimately, May says:
A heated discussion about the cost and value of employing the services of Bellwether for Administrative services followed the consent agenda prompted by board member Kelly Woodrow, elected to return to the county board this November for the first time since the 90’s. Woodrow raised concerns about whether the county was receiving an astute value for the pricetag.
The county board members responded with examples of monies they’ve found or saved courtesy of Bellwether and specifically company founder Bruce DeLashmit. Board Chairman John Chapman says:
The board was able to comparatively race through the remainder of the agenda including a management services agreement between the County Clerk and Wilson Computers, the formality of approving the U of I Extension monies set aside in the budget, approvals of submitted reports, a handful of re appointments, and highway department recommendations and mercifully adjourned just before 8pm.
The Hamilton County Board is due to meet again on February 16th.
