IECC Board Report-December 2023

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, December 12th at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois.

The Board held a public hearing to receive public comments on the intent to levy taxes under 110 ILCS 805/3-14.3 and review the 2023 tax levy. No comments were received and the tax levy for calendar year 2023 was approved as presented. The Board subsequently approved a resolution establishing a 2023 estimated tax levy for taxes due and collectible in 2024. The estimated tax rate for the 2023 levy, which is inclusive of all levies and anticipated bond issues, is 43.79 cents per $100 in equalized assessed valuation. This rate is consistent with the District’s 20 year average of 43.80 cents per $100 in equalized assessed valuation.

Due to the new Public Act 103-0058, Removing Barriers to Higher Education Success Act, the Board reviewed Americans with Disabilities Act, Policy 100.12 and approved revisions to establish acceptable documentation that must be considered to determine whether a student has a qualifying disability, and allowing for reasonable accommodations. The Act also provides for specific transparent and explicit methods by which the policy is to be disseminated to students.

The Board approved the financial contribution for Calendar Year 2024 to each qualified employee’s Health Savings Account

The Board approved the Certification of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Law and approved the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Designation of Tax Levy Year. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board is the organization that establishes accounting and financial reporting standards in the United States.

Affiliation agreements were approved with CTF Illinois and Good Samaritan of Vincennes.

The Board approved revisions to Policy 100.28 Concealed Firearms Policy as presented. The revisions provide definitions, restrictions, expectations, and exceptions pertaining to weapons and ensures applicability is extended to faculty/staff, and visitors, as well as students. The Board also approved revisions to Policy 300.3 Auxiliary Enterprises Fund. The policy remains accurate with a minor revision reflective of actual practice. Policy 400.4 Holiday, Leave, and Benefit Policy Non-Bargaining Unit Employees was also approved to comply with the Paid Leave for All 2 Workers Act (820 ILCS 192).

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $6,500,000 Taxable General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2024. It is anticipated the rate of interest on said bonds will be at or near 4%. The final maturity of the bonds is expected to be December 1, 2027.

The Board approved the current fee structure for students at IECC by removing the Computer Lab, Science Lab, and Online Hybrid Course fee and increase the Technology Fee to $9 per credit hour starting with the Fall 2024 term.

The Board approved the FY2023 Audit prepared by Martin Hood LLC and annual financial report as presented.

The Board accepted a bid from RKN, LLC for a total of $33,740 for gravel and fill for the temporary Broadband Technology Building at Lincoln Trail College to allow heavy equipment access to the site for instructional purposes.

The following personnel were employed: Caleb Dunn, Maintenance/Groundskeeper, FCC effective January 2, 2024. Changes in employment status effective January 2, 2024 was approved for Jamie Barbee from TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, OCC to College and Career Specialist.

Resignations were approved for Denise Givens as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, OCC effective November 29, 2023 and Javier Milla as Head Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach, LTC effective December 20, 2023.

The Board approved the 2023-2024 Bargaining Unit Faculty Seniority List as presented. The semi-annual review of closed meeting minutes was conducted as required by the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, January 19, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney.

Wabash County Commissioner Agenda

December 18, 2023

AGENDA

1) Call to order.

2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:

3) Commissioner’s reports:

4) Officer’s reports:

5) Old Business:

a. ARPA Ordinance.

b. HVAC survey in the Courthouse.

6) New Business:

a. Review and consider bids for the new County Highway Building.

b. Resolution increasing the salary for Election Judges.

7) Executive Session:

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval for payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment.

Former Supervisor of Warrick County Animal Control Arrested

Warrick – Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on December 12th after receiving information from the Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office regarding alleged misappropriated funds from Warrick County Animal Control.

Wednesday afternoon, December 13, Indiana State Police executed a search warrant at Danielle A. Barnes’ residence located at 225 N. Ohio Street, Chandler. Barnes, 55, is the former supervisor at Warrick County Animal Control. During the search of her residence, detectives discovered 25 vials of (FVRCP) Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, which is a legend drug. FVRCP is a vaccine used to protect kittens against three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases. Based on information and evidence seized, detectives arrested Barnes without incident and transported her to the Warrick County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released.

Arrested and Charges:

Danielle A. Barnes, 55, Chandler, IN

Theft, Level 6 Felony

Possession of a Legend Drug, Level 6 Felony

Investigating Officers: Detective Patrick Stinson, Detective Brock Werne, and Detective Toni Walden, Indiana State Police

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

35 Forgery Counts & 1 Burglary Count Charged Against Mt. Carmel Man

 

On 12/06/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tracy Curtis Wilson, age 34, of Mt. Carmel for Burglary following a complaint on 12/03/23 regarding a theft of an air compressor from a residence in the 900 block of W 4th Street.  During the investigation, police were able to uncover the air compressor from Wilson’s residence in the 700 block of W 6th Street.  Wilson was already under investigation for stealing checks from a local business owner where it was alleged, he wrote the checks out to himself for a total amount of over $8200.  Police utilized video footage from the locations where the checks were cashed to confirm his identity.  Ultimately, Wilson was charged with one count of Burglary and 35 counts of Forgery.  Wilson is being held at the Wabash County Jail after a pre-trial detention hearing resulted in his return to jail.  Mt. Carmel Police and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force investigated the incidents. 

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On FTA Warrant

On 12/11/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Austin M. Knust, age 25, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear.  An officer on patrol observed Knust standing in the doorway of a residence in the 500 block of W 2nd Street and knew there was a warrant for his arrest.  The officer made contact with Knust and placed him under arrest.  Knust was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held on a $200 cash bond. 

 

 

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested After Admitting To Stealing Boots From Local Business

 On 12/07/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Robyn N. Beauchamp, age 44, of Mt. Carmel for Retail Theft following a complaint from Big R Farm & Home.  An employee from the store contacted police advising Beauchamp had stolen a pair of boots that was valued at over $100.  The officer located Beauchamp riding a bicycle in the 1400 block of West 9th Street.  In speaking to Beauchamp, she admitted to stealing the boots and that she was actively wearing them.  Beauchamp was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed and later released on a Notice to Appear. 

Pedestrian Injured After Being Struck At 5th & Pear

On 12/11/23 at 3:26pm, Mt. Carmel Police responded to a vehicle collision involving a motor vehicle versus a pedestrian.  Officers arrived on scene along with the Wabash General Ambulance Service and the Mt. Carmel Fire Department.  An investigation into the cause found that a 13-year-old female was crossing 5th Street on Pear Street northbound when a white Ford, driven by Kristina E. Kelsey, age 44, of Mt. Carmel struck the female as Kelsey traveled west on 5th Street.  Further investigation found that the Ford struck the pedestrian on the front bumper/grill area of the vehicle.  The pedestrian was transported to the Wabash General Hospital and later air lifted by helicopter to an Evansville hospital.  The pedestrian was later released with non-life-threatening injuries to her head, hip and ankle areas.  Kelsey was issued a citation for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.    

City Council Accepts Bids

The Mt. Carmel City Council yesterday approved bids on three different properties. The first was to demolish a house at 230 Hinde Street and that went to Swanson Excavating for $6,950. The other two were property purchases as Kieffer Brothers Construction’s bid of $1,500 was accepted 923 and 925 West Third beating the bid of $500 from Ed McPherson. And the bid of David Dallas of $3,200 was approved to buy the property at 131 West 2nd Street beating the only other bid of $400.