Kankakee Times

Iroquois County Emergency Telephone Systems Board met Oct. 5

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS: Chairman Charles Alt, Vice-Chairman Dave Morgeson, Jeremy Douglas, Todd Schippert Warren Weber, and Joe Young

1) Opening of the meeting

Chairman Alt opened the meeting at 5:00 PM. Members present were Dave Morgeson, Jeremy Douglas, and Warren Weber. Absent Todd Schippert and Joe Young. Also, present Jordan Baker representing Senator Jason Barickman, Representative Tom Bennett, Executive Director Ryan McCreery with UCCI (remote), Iroquois County Board Chairman John Shure, City of Watseka Mayor John Allhands, City of Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield, Finance Manager Jill Johnson, and ETS Director Eric Raymond.

Roll Call for Mileage:

Aye: Alt

Nay: Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

2) Approval of the agenda

Motion made by Morgeson to approve the October 5, 2022 agenda. Seconded by Weber.

Motion carried by a Voice Vote.

3) Approve September 7, 2022 Minutes

Motion made by Weber. Seconded by Morgeson.

Motion carried by voice vote.

4) Public Comment

5) Approve/Discuss FY23 Budget

a) Raymond reported last month there was an opportunity to speak with Mayor Allhands and gave him an opportunity to understand how each budget is maintained and functions. Also, a side conversation with Jordan Baker with Senator Barickman’ s office an opportunity to understand the same. Raymond pointing out the large issue and the reason of the invitation so many, is to how to continue to fund the Iroquois County Joint Dispatch budget. Iroquois County Board Chairman John Shure made comments explaining the same current total between the two ESTB and Joint Dispatch budgets totals approximately 1.3 million. He continued by stating that the current issues with the ETS Act charges $1.50 per cell phone does not have an incremental increase to adjust for increases with the times. Raymond commented one opportunity is the continuation of dispatch fees and possibly increase them as needed, which is currently being done. However, the current numbers are relatively nominal considering the current budget is approximately $700,000. Another opportunity that has been discussed is to consolidate with another 911 center. If this is done there is an opportunity that dispatch fees will potentially bankrupt some of the fire departments at minimum. Vice-Chairman Morgeson commented that if consolidation happens some dispatch agencies utilize STARCOM and based on it’s cost would not be an effective option, due to affordability. City of Watseka Mayor Allhands advised another alternative would be to potentially look at utilizing Corrections Officers to dispatch similar to another county. It is unknown if this would be an effective option, but Shure stated that there is a large population of inmates in the Jail and does not feel this would be a good path. Executive Director Ryan McCreery was introduced to the conversation and did not have a comment at that time regarding ETSA. Raymond walked through the Joint Dispatch and ETSB budgets and other options. Representative Bennett commented on the possibility of changing the surcharge within ETSA, while it is possible to get that change it will need to be increased at the “grass roots” siting that there needs to be a lot of support within the local areas and get it developed in order to make this large of a change. McCreery commented his support of Bennett’s comments and said it would be an uphill battle in today’s climate. Chairman Shure understood the comments made and said that changes still need to be made regardless. McCreery was asked by Bennett if there is support of an increase. McCreery stated that counties with a similar population, and found that there does not appear to be support of an increase. Raymond asked what the survey question was and it was determined a blanket question of, is the surcharge enough? McCreery confirmed that was the question asked. Raymond then commented that additional questions may need to be asked in order to gain further knowledge such as, What other revenue streams are available to the 911 center? If alternate revenue streams were stopped or unavailable would the surcharge be enough? McCreery agreed additional questions should have been asked and will be investigated for the future. Further conversation was brought forth on the dispatch fees for each of the counties. One proposal is to bill the other villages for police services versus the current method which bills only if there is a current police service. During the conversation Douglas suggested leaving the City of Watseka at $120,000, Iroquois County at $120,000, leaving the Fire Departments, and Volunteer ambulance at the same amounts as FY2022. This increases the ETSB to $228,284.42 to transfer to Joint Dispatch. Additional comments about the contributions included using cost by population, utilizing estimated assessed value (EAV), cost by calls for service. The conversation moved along with setting a meeting in January to accommodate the budget discussions for the Fire, EMS, and towns, where an invitation to each to meet together and locate the best method possible so each will have the billable numbers for their budget., Finance Manager Jill Johnson asked a question regarding the Assistant Department Head line item. Raymond explained that it is dependent on the Telecommunicator FOP contract discussion. One of many plans consists of part time radio help to alleviate some over-time of the telecommunicators. Others opportunities would be to initiate a more robust quality program along with some supervisor responsibilities.

It was moved by Douglas and seconded by Morgeson to go into Executive session. Open Meetings Act5 ILCS 120/2 Section 2 paragraph (c) (1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Motion carried by voice vote at 704 P.M. It was moved by Morgeson and seconded by Alt to come out of the Executive session. Motion carried by Voice vote.

It was moved by Morgeson and seconded by Weber to increase the Director’s salary by 5%. Motion carried by roll call vote.

Aye: Alt, Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

Nay:

It was moved by Douglas and Seconded by Morgeson to approve budget revision b. Aye: Alt, Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

Nay:

6) Discuss/approve Area-Wide quote for fiber work to core switches

a) Raymond reported that a Fiber line has been found that connected to the core and is in use. No further action is needed.

7) Discuss/approve B&D Electric Quote for additional power in server room.

a) Raymond reported a quote received from B&D Electric to add a power panel and power plugs to the server room as the server’s need dedicated power.

It was moved by Morgeson and Seconded by Weber to approve the quote.

Motion Carried by roll call vote.

Aye: Alt, Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

Nay:

8) Discuss/approve updated lease with Iroquois County

a) Raymond reported the only change to the lease is the increase to the cost per month. It was moved by Douglas and seconded by Weber to approve the lease.

Motion carried by roll call vote:

Aye: Alt, Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

Nay:

9) ETS Director’s report

No further report.

10) Committee Reports

a) Battery Backups – Raymond reported a battery backup purchase in the quill claim.

11) Public Safety

a) 2022 stats were presented.

12) Personnel

13) Grant updates

14) Approval of Claims

a) A motion made by Morgeson and seconded by Weber to approve the claims as presented

- Motion carried by roll call vote:

- Aye: Alt, Morgeson, Douglas, Weber

- Nay:

15) Old Business

16) New Business

17) Adjournment

As there was no further business to be brought to the board it was moved by Morgeson and seconded by Weber to adjourn. Motion carried by a voice vote

https://irocounty.webfoot-designs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221005-ETSB-Minutes.pdf