County Board tables contract, discusses courthouse referendum
<span>With the March 15 primary election upcoming, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners took another opportunity on Friday to expand on the necessity of the courthouse repairs referendum.</span>
<span>A short distance away from the meeting, Associate Circuit Judge Gene Gross's courtroom was closed due to water leakage from the ceiling.</span>
<span>"We continue to have issues with our roof here," Board Chairman Dr. Marc Kiehna said.</span>
<span>On the March ballot, the county will be asking voters to authorize $2.95 million in repairs to the 42-year-old courthouse, including roofing, plumbing and HVAC replacements.</span>
<span>Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker recently gave a presentation to the Chester Chamber of Commerce about the issue and the commissioners have previously spoken at length on the topic.</span>
<span>Kiehna noted that he wasn't sure if the $2.95 million would be enough to cover all the costs associated with the repairs and that figure is a "not to exceed" number for the county.</span>
<span>"We're hoping the $2.95 million will take a big chunk out of what we need here," Kiehna said.</span>
<span>If the new borrowing - which would be repaid over 10 years at an estimated 12 cent bond levy, a decrease of 2 cents from the current bond levy - is approved, Commissioner David Holder said it may be fall before work could begin as the project would need to be re-bid. </span>
<span>"I would hope it would be sooner than that," Kiehna said, later adding that he hopes to get the project in as fast as possible if the referendum passes.</span>
<span>In other action, the board tabled an action item approving a contract agreement between the County Board and Local 399 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.</span>
<span>"We have not received our copies of the contract from the union," Kiehna said.</span>
<span>Kehna noted the commissioners would feel more comfortable reviewing the contract before approving it. It is anticipated to be brought up during the board's March 11 meeting.</span>
<span>"We know what's in it, but we want to double check and make sure," Kiehna said.</span>
Roundup
<span>Randolph County Health Department Administrator Tom Smith informed the board that his agency had received a $33,000 family medicaid portion of a case management grant that had been held up since 2015 due to the state's budget impasse.</span>
<span>Smith noted that the funds, which are 77 percent of the total grant amount, were released by a judge's order.</span>
<span>"I was kinda surprised because it is one of those state-supported federal grants," Smith said.</span>
<span>General assistance for the period was $1,500 and administrative fees at $1,498.76.</span>
<span>The Randolph County Care Center was reported to have 66 residents.</span>
Public Comment
<span>Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator Chris Martin reminded those in attendance that Kaskaskia Eagle Fest is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam near Modoc.</span>
<span>Due to the Roots Road bridge still being closed, those interested in attending will have to travel to Ruma and turn left onto St. Leo's Road.</span>
<span>Follow St. Leo's Road for eight miles and turn left onto Bluff Road. Stay on Bluff Road for half a mile before turning right onto Lock and Dam Road and continue 2.5 miles to the site on the left.</span>
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